Population Estimates

Population Estimates

Annual Office for National Statistics (ONS) population estimates for the UK and its constituent countries, the regions and counties of England, and local authorities and their equivalents.  Estimates for lower and middle layer Super Output Areas, Westminster parliamentary constituencies and National Parks in England and Wales and clinical commissioning groups in England.

Please note that data for 2023 is now available ( ONS Mid-2023 ) which estimated the population of County Durham to be 532,200.

Following the 2021 Census, the Office for National Statistics have been working to produce, not only the latest population estimates for the country and local authorities, but also to recalculate the previous estimates for the period 2011 to 2020.  These new estimates were released on 23rd November 2023, with small area estimates published Easter 2024.

Key Messages and dashboard:

• The population of County Durham is estimates to have increased by 3.7% between 2011 and 2023, rising from 513,000 to 532,200. (North East: 4.4%; England: 8.6%),
• The number of children aged 0-15 remained relatively static at around 88,000 in County Durham.  Across England this group increased by 6.2%,
• Working aged people (16 to 64) fell be 0.9% in County Durham, falling to 328,800.  Across England this figure increased by 5.6%,
• People aged 40-64 fell by 4.2% compared to a 5.8% increase across England.  The fall in County Durham was greater in the male population than the female population,
• The retired population (aged 65+) in County Durham increased by 24.2%, rising to 115,500. Across England this age group increased by 23.5%,
• In County Durham the number of people aged 85 and over increased by 25.1%, rising to 13,700.  Across England this group increased by 21.2%.

 

The following file summarises these revised estimates for County Durham, the North East and England with accessible comma separated variable files included.  In addition experimental estimates for various geographies within County Durham are also available based upon the Census Lower Super Output Area geography. (Local Networks, new Electoral Wards, Family First Areas, Local Plan Monitoring Areas).

Note: Estimates for the new Electoral Wards (May 2025) are experimental in-house estimates based upon the Census Lower Super Output Area geography, as it may be months or several years before national estimates are produced for these new Electoral Wards.  The files below will be updated as soon as these estimates become available.

• ONS Summary 2011 Onwards Rebased Estimates by SYOA (XKSX; 154Kb) 
• ONS Mid-2022 Population Estimates by Geographies in County Durham DI (XLSX; 142Kb)
• ONS Mid-2021 Population Estimates by Geographies in County Durham DI (XLSX; 132KB)

Accessible format:

• County Durham Summary 2011 Onwards Rebased Estimates by SYOA (CSV; 41Kb)
• North East Summary 2011 Onwards Rebased Estimates by SYOA (CSV; 45Kb)
• England Summary 2011 Onwards Rebased Estimates by SYOA (CSV;52Kb)
• ONS Mid-2022 Population Estimates by Geographies in County Durham DI (CSV; 68KB)
• ONS Mid-2021 Population Estimates by Geographies in County Durham DI (CSV; 67Kb)

ONS Tools & Links to Data

• Population Estimates Pyramid (2020 data)
• Veteran estimates by LA (2011 Census: population, gender, age, general health, disability, tenure, landlord status, qualifications, economic activity and occupation)
• ONS Population Estimates

LG Inform Demographic Report

The documents we publish on this page are either legally required to be made available for inspection, for information and analysis purposes or may have been supplied by the public and so in some cases may not be fully accessible. If, for any reason, you cannot access the documents and need an alternative format, please email ina@durham.gov.uk.