Census 2021: First results show Merton’s population has grown over past decade

The first results of the 2021 census are in – and they show Merton has seen its population swell over the last decade.

The census takes place every 10 years, with every household in the UK required to take part.

The latest snapshot of England and Wales was captured on March 21 2021.

Now the first results have been released – and there’s been a rise in the number of people living in Merton.

On census day, 215,200 people were living in the area – up 8% from 199,693 in 2011, when the last census was carried out.

This also means the population density has grown to 5,720 usual residents per square kilometre, up from 5,308 in 2011.

The census is crucial for the UK’s statisticians to understand how our population is changing, and plays a vital role in how our public services and government operate.

It shows the balance of men and women in the area has changed – Merton’s population is now 48.7% male and 51.3% female, meaning there is now a higher proportion of women in the area than 10 years ago.

In 2011, people living in Merton were 49.3% male and 50.7% female.

It also shows the area is aging – a decade ago the population was made up of 13.1% under-10s and 11.6% over-65s, but this had changed to 12.5% and 12.6% respectively by 2021.

Across England and Wales, the total population grew 6.3% over the past decade, from 56,075,912 in 2011 to 59,597,300 last year.

This included a 7.7% increase in London, where the population rose to 8,799,800 from 8,173,941 in 2011.

There were 24.7 million households in England and Wales on census day 2021, up from 23.4 million in 2011, with an average of 2.4 people in each household – the same as in 2011.

Historic populations of Merton:

1981: 165,1021991: 168,4702001: 187,8972011: 199,6932021: 215,200

Historic populations of London:

1981: 6,608,5981991: 6,679,6992001: 7,172,0912011: 8,173,9412021: 8,799,800