Basingstoke and Deane population increases by more than 10 per cent over last decade

The population of Basingstoke and Deane has grown by more than 10 per cent in the last 10 years, according to the latest census.

The population of the borough now stands at 185,200, up from 167,800.

The borough has become more densely populated, with 292 people per square kilometre in 2021 compared to 265 people per kilometre in 2011 – an increase of 10.2 per cent.

The census, which is run by the Office for National Statistics, is a once-in-a-decade survey that provides the most accurate estimate of all the people and households in England and Wales.

It has been carried out every decade since 1801, with the exception of 1941.

The 2021 Census took place on Sunday, March 21, last year, with 98 per cent of borough residents completing the survey, compared to 97 per cent nationally.

As well as giving residents a glimpse of how the borough has changed during the past decade, the results provide information to all kinds of organisations, from councils and charities to healthcare providers to help them deliver services such as transport, education and healthcare.

Results also show that there has been an increase in the percentage of people in the oldest age ranges, alongside a reduction in the percentage of children.

It states 28.9 people are aged 65 and over for every 100 people aged 20 to 64 years, compared to 23.6 in 2011.

The child dependency ratio has declined from 40.3 people aged 0 to 19 years per 100 people aged 20 to 64 years in 2011 to 38.4 in 2021, showing the effects of a smaller percentage of the population being in the youngest age groups and a reduced number of children per working adult.

Borough council leader Simon Bound said: “I want to thank every resident who took part in the census last March as it provides an insightful snapshot of the borough.

“Guided by the priorities in our council plan to 2024, the information provided will be crucial in helping us to shape services and make plans that make a real difference to people’s lives for the future and identify the investment needed to provide them, working alongside our partners.”

Following the first population estimates released last month, the ONS will release further results from the census from September 2022.

These will include data on ethnicity, religion, the labour market, education and housing.

For the first time, it will also include information on armed forces veterans, sexual orientation and gender identity.