Essex demographics.
Essex · Census 2023 · latest available data
A data-driven statistical profile of Essex — 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 | Colchester | 98,941 | 113,316 | 130,248 |
| 2 | Basildon | 99,793 | 105,093 | 115,964 |
| 3 | Chelmsford | 92,108 | 101,587 | 110,606 |
| 4 | Harlow | 78,665 | 81,850 | 93,566 |
| 5 | Brentwood | 47,925 | 52,586 | 55,358 |
| 6 | Clacton-on-Sea | 51,284 | 50,548 | 53,208 |
| 7 | Thundersley (/ South Benfleet) | 47,806 | 48,513 | 49,881 |
| 8 | Braintree | 35,445 | 41,360 | 43,215 |
| 9 | Canvey Island | 37,164 | 37,835 | 38,003 |
| 10 | Billericay | 32,761 | 33,215 | 34,072 |
| 11 | Loughton | 30,339 | 31,106 | 33,338 |
| 12 | Rayleigh | 30,209 | 32,149 | 32,393 |
| 13 | Wickford | 24,640 | 26,378 | 27,524 |
| 14 | Witham | 22,550 | 25,425 | 27,389 |
| 15 | Maldon | 21,117 | 21,868 | 23,384 |
| 16 | Harwich | 18,710 | 19,256 | 20,220 |
| 17 | Waltham Abbey | 17,080 | 17,746 | 18,647 |
| 18 | Saffron Walden | 14,313 | 15,210 | 16,613 |
| 19 | South Woodham Ferrers | 16,630 | 16,453 | 16,021 |
| 20 | Hockley (/ Hawkwell) | 13,929 | 14,876 | 15,427 |
| 21 | Halstead | 11,424 | 12,279 | 13,907 |
| 22 | Rochford | 10,222 | 11,327 | 12,616 |
| 23 | Chigwell | 10,288 | 10,780 | 12,244 |
| 24 | Buckhurst Hill | 10,738 | 11,380 | 11,749 |
| 25 | Epping | 9,264 | 9,620 | 10,700 |
| 26 | Great Dunmow | 6,827 | 8,655 | 10,396 |
| 27 | Tiptree | 7,969 | 8,865 | 9,298 |
| 28 | Brightlingsea | 8,146 | 8,076 | 8,679 |
| 29 | Stansted Mountfitchet | 5,859 | 6,669 | 8,621 |
| 30 | Runwell | 6,542 | 6,566 | 8,084 |
| 31 | Burnham-on-Crouch | 6,807 | 6,732 | 7,802 |
| 32 | Berechurch | 6,309 | 6,185 | 7,705 |
| 33 | Great Notley | 5,489 | 7,434 | 7,660 |
| 34 | Wivenhoe | 7,028 | 7,454 | 7,347 |
| 35 | West Mersea | 6,792 | 7,057 | 7,065 |
| 36 | Walton-on-the-Naze | 6,620 | 6,495 | 6,984 |
| 37 | Great Wakering | 6,279 | 6,430 | 6,772 |
| 38 | Ashingdon | 6,338 | 6,767 | 6,488 |
| 39 | Galleywood | 6,321 | 6,148 | 6,412 |
| 40 | Danbury | 6,001 | 6,083 | 6,195 |
| 41 | Kirby Cross | 5,636 | 5,794 | 6,037 |
| 42 | Hullbridge | 5,723 | 5,760 | 5,706 |
| 43 | Takeley (/ Little Canfield) | 2,085 | 3,682 | 5,545 |
| 44 | Ingatestone | 4,757 | 5,108 | 5,409 |
| 45 | Jaywick | 4,665 | 4,799 | 5,083 |
| 46 | Frinton-on-Sea | 4,814 | 4,687 | 4,866 |
| 47 | Kelvedon (/ Feering) | 4,593 | 4,717 | 4,773 |
| 48 | Writtle | 5,012 | 4,727 | 4,701 |
| 49 | Southminster | 3,776 | 4,025 | 4,546 |
| 50 | Lawford | 4,157 | 4,026 | 4,484 |
| 51 | North Weald Bassett | 4,136 | 4,046 | 4,321 |
| 52 | Sible Hedingham | 3,192 | 3,479 | 4,260 |
| 53 | Doddinghurst | 4,124 | 4,123 | 4,065 |
| 54 | Chipping Ongar | 3,653 | 3,597 | 3,925 |
| 55 | Silver End | 3,741 | 3,861 | 3,915 |
| 56 | Coggeshall | 3,609 | 3,872 | 3,765 |
| 57 | Mayland | 3,604 | 3,724 | 3,743 |
| 58 | Lower Nazeing | 3,557 | 3,270 | 3,639 |
| 59 | Hatfield Peverel | 3,674 | 3,677 | 3,623 |
| 60 | Boreham | 3,188 | 3,244 | 3,561 |
| 61 | Theydon Bois | 3,406 | 3,456 | 3,538 |
| 62 | Broomfield | 2,647 | 2,990 | 3,491 |
| 63 | Elsenham | 2,252 | 2,272 | 3,419 |
| 64 | Earls Colne | 2,832 | 3,105 | 3,363 |
| 65 | West Bergholt | 3,164 | 3,215 | 3,176 |
| 66 | Thaxted | 2,286 | 2,538 | 3,116 |
| 67 | Great Leighs | 1,643 | 2,709 | 2,973 |
| 68 | Newport | 2,208 | 2,352 | 2,941 |
| 69 | Tollesbury | 2,680 | 2,621 | 2,809 |
| 70 | Great Totham | 2,553 | 2,697 | 2,775 |
| 71 | Little Dunmow | 273 | 2,190 | 2,643 |
| 72 | Kelvedon Hatch | 2,425 | 2,400 | 2,495 |
| 73 | Rowhedge | 1,591 | 1,930 | 2,487 |
| 74 | Alresford | 2,125 | 2,009 | 2,463 |
| 75 | Little Clacton | 2,138 | 2,191 | 2,455 |
| 76 | Shelley | 1,828 | 1,982 | 2,404 |
| 77 | Bicknacre | 2,326 | 2,270 | 2,278 |
| 78 | St Osyth | 2,047 | 2,118 | 2,249 |
| 79 | Great Horkesley | 1,813 | 2,011 | 2,230 |
| 80 | Rayne | 1,974 | 2,096 | 2,170 |
| 81 | Chigwell Row | 1,951 | 1,972 | 2,116 |
| 82 | Ramsden Heath | 1,665 | 1,896 | 1,950 |
| 83 | Black Notley | 1,306 | 1,988 | 1,934 |
| 84 | Wickham Bishops | 1,725 | 1,826 | 1,923 |
| 85 | Ingrave (/ Herongate) | 1,698 | 1,846 | 1,854 |
| 86 | Mistley | 1,593 | 1,696 | 1,827 |
| 87 | Great Yeldham | 1,601 | 1,733 | 1,825 |
| 88 | Marks Tey | 1,894 | 1,840 | 1,816 |
| 89 | Copford | 1,591 | 1,695 | 1,791 |
| 90 | Hatfield Heath | 1,514 | 1,717 | 1,786 |
| 91 | Great Chesterford | 1,424 | 1,494 | 1,776 |
| 92 | Eight Ash Green | 1,750 | 1,730 | 1,770 |
| 93 | Elmstead Market | 1,682 | 1,646 | 1,768 |
| 94 | North Benfleet | 1,616 | 1,706 | 1,764 |
| 95 | Great Bentley | 1,613 | 1,545 | 1,746 |
| 96 | Point Clear | 1,438 | 1,576 | 1,706 |
| 97 | Manningtree | 1,563 | 1,670 | 1,676 |
| 98 | Abridge | 1,500 | 1,613 | 1,650 |
| 99 | West Horndon | 1,482 | 1,537 | 1,650 |
| 100 | Thorpe-le-Soken | 1,441 | 1,368 | 1,593 |
| 101 | Roydon | 1,553 | 1,582 | 1,585 |
| 102 | Stock | 1,545 | 1,545 | 1,574 |
| 103 | Gosfield | 1,364 | 1,362 | 1,455 |
| 104 | Little Hallingbury | 1,221 | 1,352 | 1,436 |
| 105 | Thorrington | 1,063 | 1,258 | 1,429 |
| 106 | Tye Green | 1,112 | 1,168 | 1,415 |
| 107 | Great Bardfield | 1,238 | 1,227 | 1,374 |
| 108 | Steeple Bumpstead | 1,274 | 1,432 | 1,374 |
| 109 | Layer-de-la-Haye | 1,463 | 1,370 | 1,338 |
| 110 | Weeley | 1,145 | 1,098 | 1,287 |
| 111 | Bradfield (Bradfield Heath) | 1,094 | 1,112 | 1,251 |
| 112 | Felsted | 1,239 | 1,315 | 1,233 |
| 113 | Crays Hill | 1,085 | 1,838 | 1,218 |
| 114 | Canewdon | 1,085 | 1,072 | 1,215 |
| 115 | Kirby-le-Soken | 1,225 | 1,152 | 1,208 |
| 116 | Bures | 1,031 | 1,089 | 1,184 |
| 117 | Blackmore | 1,170 | 1,155 | 1,168 |
| 118 | Cold Norton | 1,103 | 1,099 | 1,159 |
| 119 | Ramsey Island | 780 | 1,130 | 1,141 |
| 120 | Latchingdon | 1,029 | 993 | 1,138 |
| 121 | Coopersale | 1,017 | 1,006 | 1,067 |
| 122 | Tolleshunt Knights | 1,028 | 1,030 | 1,063 |
| 123 | Stebbing | 912 | 923 | 1,061 |
| 124 | Castle Hedingham | 1,012 | 1,063 | 1,045 |
| 125 | Ardleigh | 909 | 912 | 1,044 |
| 126 | Henham | 912 | 924 | 1,043 |
| 127 | Little Waltham | 961 | 1,004 | 1,036 |
| 128 | Thornwood Common | 924 | 969 | 1,030 |
| 129 | Langenhoe (/ Abberton) | 894 | 996 | 1,014 |
| 130 | Colne Engaine | 979 | 1,008 | 996 |
| 131 | Parkeston | 1,010 | 985 | 974 |
| 132 | Tillingham | 848 | 902 | 967 |
| 133 | Sheering | 883 | 891 | 959 |
| 134 | Birchanger | 661 | 931 | 958 |
| 135 | Clavering | 865 | 882 | 951 |
| 136 | Weeley Heath | 635 | 670 | 949 |
| 137 | East Hanningfield | 938 | 977 | 930 |
| 138 | Barnston | 850 | 947 | 926 |
| 139 | Stoneyhills | 786 | 766 | 919 |
| 140 | Tolleshunt D'Arcy | 771 | 825 | 905 |
| 141 | Hatfield Broad Oak | 869 | 916 | 904 |
| 142 | Great Waltham | 860 | 847 | 894 |
| 143 | Layer Breton | 845 | 859 | 868 |
| 144 | North Fambridge | 752 | 835 | 868 |
| 145 | Panfield | 850 | 841 | 856 |
| 146 | Fordham | 818 | 835 | 840 |
| 147 | Ramsden Bellhouse | 730 | 788 | 834 |
| 148 | Althorne | 791 | 825 | 811 |
| 149 | Dedham | 763 | 719 | 811 |
| 150 | High Garrett | 805 | 830 | 799 |
| 151 | Langham | 791 | 790 | 782 |
| 152 | Goldhanger | 647 | 654 | 752 |
| 153 | Noak Hill | 665 | 751 | 752 |
| 154 | Heybridge Basin | 759 | 760 | 744 |
| 155 | Stapleford Abbotts | 645 | 646 | 741 |
| 156 | Boxted Cross | 662 | 654 | 725 |
| 157 | Finchingfield | 755 | 711 | 725 |
| 158 | Sewardstone | 452 | 506 | 721 |
| 159 | High Easter | 657 | 754 | 720 |
| 160 | Manuden | 636 | 677 | 720 |
| 161 | Great Oakley | 671 | 702 | 708 |
| 162 | Wethersfield | 725 | 691 | 707 |
| 163 | Boxted | 699 | 725 | 701 |
| 164 | Hare Green | 702 | 664 | 678 |
| 165 | Radwinter | 595 | 612 | 662 |
| 166 | Howe Green | 591 | 666 | 649 |
| 167 | Great Tey | 615 | 620 | 607 |
| 168 | Littlebury | 546 | 592 | 604 |
| 169 | Dedham Heath | 546 | 575 | 601 |
| 170 | High Roding | 471 | 478 | 581 |
| 171 | Ridgewell | 503 | 509 | 574 |
| 172 | Takeley Street | 257 | 369 | 570 |
| 173 | Peldon | 501 | 559 | 568 |
| 174 | Margaretting | 532 | 527 | 562 |
| 175 | Wix | 513 | 494 | 550 |
| 176 | Elder Street | 492 | 851 | 539 |
| 177 | Purleigh | 520 | 526 | 531 |
| 178 | Sewards End | 489 | 511 | 531 |
| 179 | Sturmer | 464 | 492 | 525 |
| 180 | Great Holland | 494 | 487 | 500 |
— 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