Census 2021 results show Arun’s population has grown significantly over past decade

The latest snapshot of England and Wales was captured on March 21 2021 – and figures show there’s been a large rise in the number of people living in Arun including Bognor Regis and Littlehampton. On census day, 164,800 people were living in the area – up 10 per cent from 149,518 in 2011, when the last census was carried out. This also means the population density has grown to 746 residents per square kilometre, up from 677 in 2011.

It shows the balance of men and women in the area has changed – Arun’s population is now 48.2 per cent male and 51.8 per cent female, meaning there is now a higher proportion of men in the area than 10 years ago. In 2011, people living in Arun were 47.7 per cent male and 52.3 per cent female. It also shows the area is aging – a decade ago the population was made up of 9.6 per cent under-10s and 26.3% over-65s, but this had changed to 9.4 per cent and 28.5 per cent respectively by 2021.

Across England and Wales, the total population grew 6.3 per cent over the past decade, from 56,075,912 in 2011 to 59,597,300 last year. This included a 7.5 per cent increase in the South East, where the population rose to 9,278,100 from 8,634,750 in 2011. There were 24.8 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. The world's population has today reached 8 billion, according to the UN.

Historic populations of Arun:

1981: 115,666

1991: 129,357

2001: 140,755

2011: 149,518

2021: 164,800

Historic populations of the South East:

1981: 7,029,809

1991: 7,500,054

2001: 8,000,645

2011: 8,634,750

2021: 9,278,100