Devon demographics.
Devon · Census 2023 · latest available data
A data-driven statistical profile of Devon — town populations, census figures, and key demographic indicators drawn from the latest available official data.
Population
67,736,802
World share: 0.84 %
Median age
40.1
Global rank: #21
Urban population
85.5 %
57,900,076 people
Density
280 / km²
People per km²
Fertility rate
1.57
Births per woman
- 01 / Population
Who lives here, and how that is changing.
Headline population counts, density and household structure, with the six-year growth trend.
- Population basics
- Total population
- 67,736,8022023
- Population density
- 280 / km²UK average
- Yearly change
- 0.34 %227,866
- Urban population
- 85.5 %57,900,076
- Net migration
- 165,790Annual net
- World population
- 0.84 %8,045,311,447
- Population trend
Total resident population in thousands. A rising line means net growth from births and inward migration.
- 02 / Age & gender
The shape of the population pyramid.
Age band distribution split by gender, with dependency and vital statistics.
- Age pyramid
Share of the total population in each age band, split by gender - wide middle bands indicate a strong working-age base.
- Vital statistics
- Median age
- 39.4 yrs40.2 yrs
- Dependency ratio
- 58.456.9
- Male
- 49.3%49.0%
- Female
- 50.7%51.0%
- Aged 65+
- 16.4%18.4%
- 03 / Housing & households
Tenure, dwelling type and household composition.
Census 2021 housing indicators for the area, benchmarked against England.
- Tenure & conditions
- Home ownership
- 61.0%62.5%
- Social rented
- 17.0%17.1%
- Private rented
- 22.0%20.4%
- Overcrowded households
- 6.1%8.4%
- No central heating
- 1.3%1.5%
- Property type mix
Composition of the housing stock by build type, as a share of all dwellings.
- Tenure split
How households occupy their homes - the owned versus rented balance drives local market liquidity.
- 04 / Employment & economy
Where the jobs and the output are.
Labour market headlines and the sector composition of local employment.
- Labour market
- Economically active
- 76.2%75.7%
- Unemployed
- 3.4%3.5%
- Full-time employees
- 42.1%41.6%
- Self-employed
- 11.8%12.4%
- Students (economically active)
- 5.6%5.2%
- Retired
- 20.9%21.6%
- Top employment sectors
Share of total employment by industry - a concentrated profile signals exposure to one sector's cycle.
- 05 / Education & qualifications
Attainment and the local skills base.
School performance and the qualification profile of working-age residents.
- Attainment & schools
- Level 4+ qualification
- 40.2%33.9%
- No qualifications
- 16.0%18.1%
- Apprenticeship
- 5.1%5.3%
- Full-time students 16+
- 8.4%7.9%
- Schoolchildren aged 5–15
- 12.6%12.4%
- Qualification levels
Highest qualification held by residents aged 16+. Level 4+ covers degree-level and above.
- 06 / Health & wellbeing
Life expectancy, access and deprivation.
Population health outcomes alongside primary care capacity and deprivation ranking.
- Health indicators
- Very good health
- 48.6%48.5%
- Good health
- 33.1%33.7%
- Bad or very bad health
- 5.8%5.2%
- Disabled (day-to-day limited)
- 18.2%17.3%
- Provides unpaid care
- 9.1%8.9%
- Life expectancy (male)
- 79.1 yrs79.4 yrs
- Life expectancy (female)
- 82.9 yrs83.1 yrs
- Healthy life expectancy
- 62.4 yrs63.1 yrs
- IMD decile
- 5 of 10-
- Deprivation
5
IMD decile out of 10 (1 = most deprived). The United Kingdom shows variation across regions, with pockets of both high affluence and concentrated deprivation.
- 07 / Ethnicity, language & religion
The cultural make-up of the area.
Census-based breakdowns of ethnic group, country of birth, language and religion.
- Ethnic group
Share of residents by broad census ethnic group.
- Religion
Stated religion at the last census, as a share of residents.
- Origin & language
- Born in the UK
- 83.6%83.2%
- Born outside the UK
- 16.4%16.8%
- English as main language
- 94.2%91.1%
- Cannot speak English well
- 1.4%1.9%
- 08 / Transport & commuting
How people move around.
Commuting modes, journey times, car ownership and network connectivity.
- Mode of travel to work
Primary commute mode for working residents, including those who mainly work from home.
- Network & journey times
- Average commute
- 29 min28 min
- No car or van
- 24.0%23.5%
- 2+ cars or vans
- 34.0%33.1%
- Work mainly from home
- 17.0%21.0%
- Car ownership
Households by number of cars or vans available.
— 09 / Political & administrative
Who governs, and how engaged residents are.
Administrative structure, council tax levels, political control and turnout.
— Governance
- Parliamentary constituencies
- 12
- Council type
- Metropolitan / two-tier
- Council tax (Band D)
- £2,148
- Political control
- Labour majority
- General election turnout
- 62.4%
- Local election turnout
- 31.8%
— 10 / Crime & safety
Recorded crime and its composition.
Police.uk recorded offences, normalised per 1,000 residents and split by offence type.
— Headline rates
- Crime rate per 1,000
- 94.689.7
- Police force
- West Yorkshire Police—
- Year-on-year change
- -2.8%-1.4%
— Crime type breakdown
Share of all recorded offences by category over the last 12 months.
— 11 / Environment & climate
Green space, air quality and climate risk.
Environmental quality indicators and exposure to flooding across the area.
— Environmental indicators
- Green space coverage
- 38.4%40.1%
- NO₂ (annual mean)
- 21 µg/m³18 µg/m³
- PM2.5 (annual mean)
- 9.4 µg/m³9.1 µg/m³
- Area at flood risk
- 6.2%8.0%
- Annual rainfall
- 812 mm838 mm
- Sunshine hours
- 1,4101,493
— 12 / UK Cities
Population of major UK cities.
Top 10 UK cities by population, sourced from the latest available census and administrative data.
| # | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | London | 7,556,900 |
| 2 | Birmingham | 984,333 |
| 3 | Liverpool | 864,122 |
| 4 | Nottingham | 729,977 |
| 5 | Sheffield | 685,368 |
| 6 | Bristol | 617,280 |
| 7 | Glasgow | 591,620 |
| 8 | Leicester | 508,916 |
| 9 | Edinburgh | 464,990 |
| 10 | Leeds | 455,123 |
— 12b / County Towns
Town populations within the county.
Built-up area populations across the 2001, 2011 and 2021 census years.
| # | Town | 2001 | 2011 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exeter | 107,178 | 113,828 | 126,156 |
| 2 | Exmouth | 32,971 | 34,432 | 35,488 |
| 3 | Barnstaple | 27,877 | 29,680 | 31,276 |
| 4 | Newton Abbot | 25,702 | 26,232 | 29,638 |
| 5 | Tiverton | 16,634 | 18,849 | 19,708 |
| 6 | Bideford | 15,688 | 17,719 | 19,487 |
| 7 | Teignmouth | 14,799 | 15,129 | 15,312 |
| 8 | Sidmouth | 12,066 | 12,569 | 13,262 |
| 9 | Tavistock | 11,018 | 12,280 | 12,675 |
| 10 | Ivybridge | 12,268 | 12,073 | 12,484 |
| 11 | Honiton | 11,439 | 11,704 | 12,154 |
| 12 | Kingsteignton | 10,503 | 10,451 | 11,935 |
| 13 | Dawlish | 10,158 | 10,418 | 11,797 |
| 14 | Totnes | 8,237 | 8,244 | 9,214 |
| 15 | Ilfracombe | 9,016 | 9,582 | 9,202 |
| 16 | Okehampton | 6,111 | 7,647 | 9,112 |
| 17 | Cullompton | 6,583 | 7,458 | 8,889 |
| 18 | Crediton | 6,981 | 7,649 | 7,967 |
| 19 | Seaton | 6,567 | 6,855 | 7,439 |
| 20 | Braunton | 6,134 | 6,590 | 6,615 |
| 21 | Bovey Tracey | 5,084 | 5,335 | 6,236 |
| 22 | South Molton | 4,220 | 4,950 | 6,226 |
| 23 | Axminster | 4,089 | 4,783 | 6,089 |
| 24 | Ottery St Mary | 4,366 | 4,898 | 6,046 |
| 25 | Great Torrington | 5,468 | 5,879 | 5,953 |
| 26 | Kingsbridge | 5,521 | 5,887 | 5,683 |
| 27 | Dartmouth | 5,512 | 5,605 | 5,259 |
| 28 | Budleigh Salterton | 4,801 | 5,185 | 5,240 |
| 29 | Fremington | 3,923 | 4,310 | 5,233 |
| 30 | Northam | 4,740 | 5,214 | 5,195 |
| 31 | Cranbrook | 736 | 747 | 4,938 |
| 32 | Exminster | 3,184 | 3,478 | 4,379 |
| 33 | Chudleigh | 3,554 | 4,011 | 4,375 |
| 34 | Topsham | 3,576 | 3,632 | 4,193 |
| 35 | Kingskerswell | 3,703 | 3,798 | 3,767 |
| 36 | Willand | 2,822 | 3,360 | 3,476 |
| 37 | Holsworthy | 2,256 | 2,641 | 3,475 |
| 38 | Westward Ho! | 2,965 | 3,181 | 3,472 |
| 39 | Ashburton | 3,309 | 3,346 | 3,368 |
| 40 | Buckfastleigh | 2,713 | 2,737 | 2,718 |
| 41 | Combe Martin | 2,726 | 2,752 | 2,705 |
| 42 | West Clyst | 412 | 442 | 2,685 |
| 43 | South Brent | 2,555 | 2,559 | 2,643 |
| 44 | Bishopsteignton | 2,048 | 2,209 | 2,266 |
| 45 | Bere Alston | 2,218 | 2,164 | 2,259 |
| 46 | Ipplepen | 2,125 | 2,143 | 2,149 |
| 47 | West Hill | 1,638 | 1,727 | 2,109 |
| 48 | Bickington | 1,792 | 1,852 | 2,106 |
| 49 | Marldon | 1,798 | 1,906 | 2,073 |
| 50 | Uffculme | 1,782 | 2,021 | 2,039 |
| 51 | Yealmpton | 1,586 | 1,677 | 2,010 |
| 52 | Landkey | 1,599 | 1,732 | 1,998 |
| 53 | Chivenor (/ Wrafton) | 1,157 | 1,689 | 1,954 |
| 54 | Colyton | 1,837 | 1,819 | 1,940 |
| 55 | Newton Poppleford | 1,647 | 1,715 | 1,918 |
| 56 | Horrabridge | 1,890 | 1,827 | 1,877 |
| 57 | Yelverton | 1,765 | 1,810 | 1,858 |
| 58 | Dunkeswell | 1,553 | 1,584 | 1,837 |
| 59 | Lympstone | 1,496 | 1,763 | 1,835 |
| 60 | Wembury | 1,779 | 1,666 | 1,828 |
| 61 | Bradninch | 1,637 | 1,881 | 1,824 |
| 62 | North Tawton | 1,360 | 1,630 | 1,787 |
| 63 | Woodbury | 1,468 | 1,605 | 1,748 |
| 64 | Feniton | 1,567 | 1,568 | 1,723 |
| 65 | Shaldon | 1,628 | 1,762 | 1,716 |
| 66 | Appledore | 2,114 | 1,816 | 1,713 |
| 67 | Starcross | 1,780 | 1,737 | 1,694 |
| 68 | Modbury | 1,225 | 1,372 | 1,687 |
| 69 | Hemyock | 1,299 | 1,519 | 1,673 |
| 70 | Salcombe | 1,893 | 1,909 | 1,584 |
| 71 | Broadclyst | 1,390 | 1,467 | 1,552 |
| 72 | Chambercombe | 1,492 | 1,602 | 1,504 |
| 73 | Silverton | 1,434 | 1,494 | 1,503 |
| 74 | Heathfield | 1,583 | 1,555 | 1,498 |
| 75 | Denbury | 1,058 | 1,495 | 1,487 |
| 76 | Copplestone | 894 | 1,381 | 1,476 |
| 77 | Princetown | 1,292 | 1,366 | 1,443 |
| 78 | Sampford Peverell | 1,225 | 1,302 | 1,378 |
| 79 | Winkleigh | 1,079 | 1,305 | 1,339 |
| 80 | Stoke Gabriel | 1,064 | 1,107 | 1,337 |
| 81 | Moretonhampstead | 1,168 | 1,339 | 1,333 |
| 82 | Sherford | 284 | 367 | 1,309 |
| 83 | Witheridge | 934 | 1,158 | 1,306 |
| 84 | Bampton | 1,049 | 1,260 | 1,299 |
| 85 | Exton | 1,248 | 1,399 | 1,287 |
| 86 | Beer | 1,381 | 1,317 | 1,283 |
| 87 | Chulmleigh | 982 | 1,017 | 1,231 |
| 88 | Clyst St Mary | 845 | 849 | 1,193 |
| 89 | Dawlish Warren | 463 | 544 | 1,190 |
| 90 | Coldeast | 1,259 | 1,289 | 1,188 |
| 91 | Abbotskerswell | 1,241 | 1,267 | 1,183 |
| 92 | Chudleigh Knighton | 976 | 1,125 | 1,167 |
| 93 | Bow | 944 | 1,095 | 1,120 |
| 94 | Whimple | 1,093 | 1,173 | 1,120 |
| 95 | Chagford | 1,043 | 1,020 | 1,106 |
| 96 | Chillington | 899 | 877 | 1,073 |
| 97 | Uplyme | 893 | 1,041 | 1,052 |
| 98 | Morchard Bishop | 975 | 1,078 | 1,041 |
| 99 | Loddiswell | 758 | 777 | 1,034 |
| 100 | Clyst Honiton | 150 | 167 | 1,030 |
| 101 | Lapford | 887 | 867 | 990 |
| 102 | Malborough | 733 | 819 | 975 |
| 103 | Hartland | 830 | 910 | 950 |
| 104 | Newton Ferrers | 899 | 945 | 949 |
| 105 | Kenton | 1,013 | 1,005 | 933 |
| 106 | Blackawton | 647 | 739 | 929 |
| 107 | Kilmington | 762 | 830 | 925 |
| 108 | Dartington | 878 | 876 | 923 |
| 109 | Halberton | 779 | 865 | 892 |
| 110 | South Zeal | 912 | 912 | 888 |
| 111 | Lamerton | 737 | 859 | 887 |
| 112 | Bratton Fleming | 829 | 928 | 862 |
| 113 | Brixton | 625 | 713 | 858 |
| 114 | Dousland | 886 | 833 | 844 |
| 115 | Lynton (/ Lynmouth) | 882 | 895 | 839 |
| 116 | Northlew | 592 | 743 | 782 |
| 117 | North Molton | 703 | 721 | 769 |
| 118 | Stoke Fleming | 806 | 803 | 767 |
| 119 | Cheriton Bishop | 662 | 652 | 754 |
| 120 | Bishop's Tawton | 734 | 782 | 751 |
| 121 | Broadhempston | 641 | 672 | 740 |
| 122 | Lifton | 599 | 719 | 736 |
| 123 | Hatherleigh | 522 | 671 | 728 |
| 124 | Bradworthy | 642 | 650 | 724 |
| 125 | Tedburn St Mary | 691 | 703 | 721 |
| 126 | East Budleigh | 634 | 650 | 704 |
| 127 | Woolacombe | 806 | 840 | 697 |
| 128 | Thorverton | 541 | 674 | 695 |
| 129 | Westacott | 741 | 771 | 689 |
| 130 | Swimbridge | 604 | 669 | 687 |
| 131 | Christow | 600 | 595 | 682 |
| 132 | Ermington | 569 | 556 | 680 |
| 133 | Otterton | 700 | 656 | 674 |
| 134 | Culmstock | 557 | 554 | 672 |
| 135 | Newton St Cyres | 566 | 562 | 671 |
| 136 | Stoke Canon | 660 | 654 | 664 |
| 137 | Crapstone | 568 | 667 | 646 |
| 138 | Kentisbeare | 585 | 597 | 645 |
| 139 | Tipton St John | 561 | 644 | 643 |
| 140 | Holcombe | 562 | 572 | 642 |
| 141 | Woodbury Salterton | 559 | 593 | 641 |
| 142 | Chawleigh | 621 | 642 | 639 |
| 143 | Sandford | 643 | 641 | 636 |
| 144 | Croyde | 771 | 693 | 614 |
| 145 | Halwill Junction | 513 | 598 | 597 |
| 146 | Ide | 547 | 526 | 586 |
| 147 | Colyford | 520 | 563 | 581 |
| 148 | High Bickington | 367 | 474 | 576 |
| 149 | Stoneyford | 347 | 361 | 572 |
| 150 | Thurlestone | 585 | 627 | 567 |
| 151 | Musbury | 550 | 543 | 561 |
| 152 | Mary Tavy | 490 | 473 | 539 |
| 153 | Kennford | 490 | 491 | 537 |
| 154 | West Charleton | 511 | 504 | 533 |
| 155 | Cheriton Fitzpaine | 526 | 556 | 532 |
| 156 | Aveton Gifford | 496 | 536 | 517 |
| 157 | East Ogwell | 562 | 327 | 517 |
| 158 | Buckland Monachorum | 519 | 484 | 515 |
— 13 / English Regions
Regional population comparison.
Population figures for English regions across the 2001, 2011 and 2021 census years.
| Region | 2001 | 2011 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Midlands | 4,172,174 | 4,533,222 | 4,880,054 |
| East of England | 5,388,140 | 5,846,965 | 6,335,074 |
| North East England | 2,515,442 | 2,596,886 | 2,647,013 |
| North West England | 6,729,764 | 7,052,177 | 7,417,397 |
| South East England | 8,000,645 | 8,634,750 | 9,278,065 |
| South West England | 4,928,434 | 5,288,935 | 5,701,186 |
| West Midlands | 5,267,308 | 5,601,847 | 5,950,757 |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | 4,964,833 | 5,283,733 | 5,480,777 |
— Data sources
- ONS — population, age, ethnicity, housing
- Nomis — employment, earnings, qualifications
- Census 2021 (Nomis) — area vs England comparisons
- Police.uk — crime data
- MHCLG — Index of Multiple Deprivation
- Postcodes.io / GeoNames — boundary mapping