Norfolk demographics.
Norfolk · Census 2023 · latest available data
A data-driven statistical profile of Norfolk — 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 | Norwich | 173,477 | 186,408 | 200,752 |
| 2 | King's Lynn | 39,857 | 44,830 | 47,610 |
| 3 | Great Yarmouth | 24,516 | 28,165 | 28,982 |
| 4 | Thetford | 21,855 | 24,649 | 25,492 |
| 5 | Gorleston-on-Sea | 23,200 | 24,741 | 24,481 |
| 6 | Dereham | 17,510 | 20,171 | 20,785 |
| 7 | Wymondham | 11,364 | 13,064 | 16,335 |
| 8 | Taverham (/ Drayton) | 15,144 | 15,390 | 14,989 |
| 9 | North Walsham | 11,845 | 12,463 | 12,829 |
| 10 | Bradwell | 10,316 | 10,528 | 11,628 |
| 11 | Watton | 7,625 | 8,951 | 11,543 |
| 12 | Downham Market | 6,734 | 9,994 | 11,342 |
| 13 | Attleborough | 8,799 | 9,582 | 11,232 |
| 14 | Diss | 7,615 | 8,537 | 9,599 |
| 15 | Caister-on-Sea | 8,867 | 9,016 | 9,095 |
| 16 | Swaffham | 6,885 | 7,208 | 8,434 |
| 17 | Fakenham | 7,730 | 7,986 | 8,385 |
| 18 | Cromer | 7,828 | 7,766 | 7,524 |
| 19 | Aylsham | 5,434 | 5,906 | 7,184 |
| 20 | Poringland | 4,573 | 5,132 | 7,104 |
| 21 | Sheringham | 7,143 | 7,367 | 7,093 |
| 22 | Hethersett | 5,397 | 5,648 | 7,021 |
| 23 | Hemsby | 5,214 | 5,407 | 5,721 |
| 24 | Long Stratton | 3,911 | 4,813 | 5,215 |
| 25 | Harleston | 3,899 | 4,458 | 5,075 |
| 26 | Dersingham | 4,502 | 4,640 | 4,755 |
| 27 | Cringleford | 2,058 | 2,963 | 4,685 |
| 28 | Elm (/ Emneth) | 3,687 | 4,257 | 4,558 |
| 29 | Queen's Hills | 92 | 1,921 | 4,463 |
| 30 | Horsford | 3,846 | 3,982 | 4,395 |
| 31 | Brundall | 3,978 | 4,019 | 4,388 |
| 32 | Hunstanton | 4,505 | 4,229 | 4,228 |
| 33 | Holt | 3,550 | 3,810 | 4,015 |
| 34 | Heacham | 4,070 | 4,150 | 3,978 |
| 35 | Mulbarton | 2,642 | 3,315 | 3,806 |
| 36 | Upwell (/ Outwell) | 2,775 | 3,262 | 3,666 |
| 37 | Martham | 3,022 | 3,405 | 3,637 |
| 38 | Hoveton (/ Wroxham) | 3,128 | 3,089 | 3,618 |
| 39 | Belton | 3,956 | 3,653 | 3,601 |
| 40 | Spixworth | 3,684 | 3,598 | 3,421 |
| 41 | Stalham | 2,821 | 2,993 | 3,380 |
| 42 | Feltwell | 2,490 | 2,635 | 2,919 |
| 43 | West Winch | 2,528 | 2,652 | 2,825 |
| 44 | Terrington St Clement | 2,397 | 2,582 | 2,790 |
| 45 | Mundesley | 2,695 | 2,758 | 2,782 |
| 46 | Ormesby St Margaret | 2,875 | 2,810 | 2,743 |
| 47 | Snettisham | 2,374 | 2,570 | 2,710 |
| 48 | Blofield | 1,854 | 1,908 | 2,672 |
| 49 | Costessey | 2,329 | 2,440 | 2,610 |
| 50 | Marham | 2,952 | 3,531 | 2,606 |
| 51 | Watlington | 2,031 | 2,455 | 2,594 |
| 52 | Hopton-on-Sea | 2,279 | 2,626 | 2,573 |
| 53 | East Harling | 2,092 | 2,142 | 2,489 |
| 54 | Shipdham | 2,145 | 2,057 | 2,460 |
| 55 | Lingwood | 2,222 | 2,312 | 2,368 |
| 56 | Reepham | 2,125 | 2,319 | 2,312 |
| 57 | Hingham | 1,920 | 2,151 | 2,304 |
| 58 | Acle | 2,230 | 2,317 | 2,265 |
| 59 | Coltishall (/ Horstead) | 2,161 | 2,310 | 2,254 |
| 60 | Loddon | 1,912 | 1,921 | 2,246 |
| 61 | Mattishall | 2,126 | 2,077 | 2,201 |
| 62 | Swanton Morley | 2,415 | 2,100 | 2,173 |
| 63 | Wells-next-the-Sea | 2,451 | 2,165 | 2,147 |
| 64 | Clenchwarton | 1,997 | 1,980 | 2,018 |
| 65 | Ditchingham | 1,709 | 1,749 | 1,997 |
| 66 | Briston | 1,757 | 1,912 | 1,982 |
| 67 | Little Plumstead | 914 | 1,432 | 1,916 |
| 68 | Weeting | 1,751 | 1,839 | 1,880 |
| 69 | Rackheath | 1,245 | 1,628 | 1,761 |
| 70 | Necton | 1,457 | 1,552 | 1,742 |
| 71 | Walpole St Peter (/ Walpole St Andrew) | 1,363 | 1,441 | 1,576 |
| 72 | Mundford | 1,591 | 1,526 | 1,564 |
| 73 | Gayton | 1,288 | 1,321 | 1,521 |
| 74 | Tilney St Lawrence | 1,429 | 1,448 | 1,504 |
| 75 | Badersfield | 1,605 | 1,241 | 1,489 |
| 76 | West Runton (/ Beeston Regis) | 1,530 | 1,538 | 1,462 |
| 77 | Easton | 1,141 | 1,514 | 1,436 |
| 78 | Blofield Heath | 1,372 | 1,367 | 1,429 |
| 79 | Salhouse | 1,317 | 1,323 | 1,429 |
| 80 | Newton Flotman | 1,197 | 1,489 | 1,418 |
| 81 | Griston | 1,016 | 1,297 | 1,364 |
| 82 | Narborough | 1,095 | 1,094 | 1,360 |
| 83 | Hockwold cum Wilton | 1,233 | 1,195 | 1,304 |
| 84 | Saham Toney | 1,220 | 1,157 | 1,287 |
| 85 | Southery | 996 | 1,161 | 1,257 |
| 86 | Ashill | 1,196 | 1,172 | 1,252 |
| 87 | Stoke Holy Cross | 916 | 917 | 1,236 |
| 88 | Stoke Ferry | 896 | 1,020 | 1,192 |
| 89 | Melton Constable | 782 | 1,145 | 1,180 |
| 90 | Thorpe End | 1,225 | 1,221 | 1,174 |
| 91 | North Elmham | 1,185 | 1,124 | 1,172 |
| 92 | Dickleburgh | 1,013 | 1,096 | 1,166 |
| 93 | Thurlton | 1,023 | 1,077 | 1,145 |
| 94 | Roydon | 1,255 | 1,292 | 1,115 |
| 95 | Cawston | 952 | 1,172 | 1,114 |
| 96 | Freethorpe | 906 | 995 | 1,053 |
| 97 | Chedgrave | 985 | 1,051 | 1,052 |
| 98 | Horsham St Faith | 1,021 | 1,049 | 1,051 |
| 99 | Little Melton | 851 | 897 | 1,050 |
| 100 | Methwold | 902 | 914 | 1,045 |
| 101 | Hevingham | 891 | 967 | 1,037 |
| 102 | Scole | 1,000 | 1,028 | 1,037 |
| 103 | Foulsham | 860 | 1,021 | 1,028 |
| 104 | Sutton | 1,049 | 978 | 1,023 |
| 105 | Marshland St James | 797 | 853 | 1,021 |
| 106 | Besthorpe | 803 | 967 | 1,007 |
| 107 | Overstrand | 952 | 1,030 | 999 |
| 108 | Ludham | 976 | 979 | 989 |
| 109 | West Walton | 983 | 992 | 979 |
| 110 | Bacton | 855 | 910 | 977 |
| 111 | Buxton | 983 | 974 | 977 |
| 112 | Great Massingham | 886 | 902 | 963 |
| 113 | Beetley | 983 | 964 | 957 |
| 114 | Great Ellingham | 851 | 856 | 942 |
| 115 | Earsham | 907 | 882 | 935 |
| 116 | Hempnall | 964 | 962 | 922 |
| 117 | Gressenhall | 898 | 930 | 920 |
| 118 | Banham | 850 | 907 | 919 |
| 119 | Burgh St Margaret (Fleggburgh) | 695 | 754 | 912 |
| 120 | Denver | 847 | 890 | 912 |
| 121 | Middleton | 933 | 904 | 904 |
| 122 | Trunch | 805 | 909 | 900 |
| 123 | Filby | 740 | 765 | 893 |
| 124 | Trowse Newton | 479 | 862 | 883 |
| 125 | Hilgay | 777 | 874 | 873 |
| 126 | Walton Highway | 676 | 739 | 871 |
| 127 | Bawdeswell | 766 | 828 | 868 |
| 128 | Castle Acre | 799 | 848 | 862 |
| 129 | Lyng | 806 | 807 | 856 |
| 130 | Tasburgh | 846 | 910 | 852 |
| 131 | Brooke | 827 | 851 | 848 |
| 132 | Rockland St Mary | 824 | 810 | 846 |
| 133 | Hockering | 628 | 711 | 829 |
| 134 | Potter Heigham | 748 | 829 | 823 |
| 135 | Pulham Market | 753 | 722 | 822 |
| 136 | Docking | 869 | 885 | 810 |
| 137 | Pott Row | 779 | 788 | 802 |
| 138 | Walpole Highway | 685 | 701 | 797 |
| 139 | Pulham St Mary | 736 | 770 | 795 |
| 140 | Wicken Green Village | 749 | 771 | 795 |
| 141 | Tacolneston | 582 | 719 | 793 |
| 142 | Sporle | 771 | 755 | 791 |
| 143 | East Runton | 832 | 852 | 785 |
| 144 | Wiggenhall St Germans | 589 | 761 | 781 |
| 145 | Kenninghall | 610 | 714 | 773 |
| 146 | Horning | 771 | 791 | 753 |
| 147 | Wicklewood | 684 | 700 | 744 |
| 148 | Wiggenhall St Mary Magdalen | 687 | 729 | 740 |
| 149 | Burnham Market | 948 | 877 | 724 |
| 150 | Alpington (/ Yelverton) | 646 | 650 | 720 |
| 151 | Great Ryburgh | 668 | 694 | 718 |
| 152 | Wereham | 626 | 660 | 716 |
| 153 | Woodton | 688 | 703 | 714 |
| 154 | Catfield | 587 | 699 | 710 |
| 155 | Reedham | 628 | 748 | 710 |
| 156 | Saxlingham Nethergate | 676 | 688 | 703 |
| 157 | Gillingham | 650 | 676 | 697 |
| 158 | Wimbotsham | 558 | 664 | 690 |
| 159 | Upton | 660 | 702 | 684 |
| 160 | Burgh Castle | 442 | 607 | 682 |
| 161 | Ellingham (/ Kirby Cane) | 636 | 679 | 680 |
| 162 | Morley St Botolph | 243 | 480 | 678 |
| 163 | North Lopham | 605 | 623 | 674 |
| 164 | Frettenham | 581 | 592 | 663 |
| 165 | Rollesby | 678 | 651 | 660 |
| 166 | Shouldham | 608 | 605 | 653 |
| 167 | Grimston | 661 | 654 | 642 |
| 168 | Swardeston | 540 | 619 | 640 |
| 169 | Great Hockham | 620 | 603 | 635 |
| 170 | Runcton Holme | 676 | 657 | 626 |
| 171 | Waterloo | 562 | 567 | 626 |
| 172 | Colkirk | 547 | 588 | 620 |
| 173 | Felthorpe | 574 | 600 | 619 |
| 174 | Aldborough | 567 | 578 | 607 |
| 175 | Hickling | 610 | 599 | 603 |
| 176 | Hindolveston | 548 | 598 | 599 |
| 177 | Little Walsingham | 625 | 613 | 599 |
| 178 | Southrepps | 467 | 537 | 598 |
| 179 | Roughton | 498 | 571 | 597 |
| 180 | Marsham | 515 | 521 | 587 |
| 181 | Halvergate | 468 | 607 | 585 |
| 182 | Burston | 538 | 568 | 582 |
| 183 | Surlingham | 475 | 542 | 572 |
| 184 | Sedgeford | 634 | 613 | 567 |
| 185 | Thurton | 567 | 567 | 565 |
| 186 | Walpole Cross Keys | 469 | 518 | 562 |
| 187 | Wortwell | 574 | 561 | 559 |
| 188 | Blakeney | 647 | 609 | 558 |
| 189 | Carbrooke | 560 | 567 | 557 |
| 190 | Ashwellthorpe | 451 | 454 | 547 |
| 191 | Garboldisham | 553 | 543 | 547 |
| 192 | Lenwade | 465 | 496 | 542 |
| 193 | Bunwell | 515 | 564 | 533 |
| 194 | East Winch | 536 | 521 | 529 |
| 195 | Ingoldisthorpe | 555 | 559 | 526 |
| 196 | Hales | 479 | 469 | 525 |
| 197 | Walcott | 509 | 548 | 522 |
| 198 | Corpusty | 470 | 505 | 519 |
| 199 | Barford | 508 | 547 | 515 |
| 200 | Weybourne | 518 | 543 | 515 |
| 201 | Fincham | 474 | 496 | 514 |
| 202 | Cantley | 462 | 504 | 511 |
| 203 | West Raynham | 197 | 346 | 503 |
| 204 | Newton St Faith | 428 | 485 | 501 |
— 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