People and census in Belfast
DistrictEast Northern Ireland. 351,927 people in 138 square kilometres.
16 layers about people and census for Belfast, each at the level its publisher released it, with its own date and source.
Population by output area
Census 2021, England and Wales
There is no population figure for Belfast’s output areas yet.
What is the population of Belfast?
Belfast had 345,418 usual residents at the census.
Belfast is the 31st most populated of 361 in the UK.
Population
CouncilBelfast had 345,418 usual residents at the census.
Belfast is the 31st most populated of 361 in the UK.
Population estimate
CouncilBelfast’s population was an estimated 351,927 in mid-2025.
The population fell 0.1% in the year to mid-2025.
Belfast is 35th most populated of 361 for population.
Aged 15 to 64
Council67.2% of residents in Belfast were aged 15 to 64 at the census.
In Northern Ireland the figure is 63.7%.
- Against Northern Ireland
- 5% higher63.7%
Aged 65 and over
Council14.7% of residents in Belfast were aged 65 or over at the census.
In Northern Ireland the figure is 17.2%.
- Against Northern Ireland
- 15% lower17.2%
Aged under 15
Council18.0% of residents in Belfast were aged under 15 at the census.
In Northern Ireland the figure is 19.2%.
- Against Northern Ireland
- 6% lower19.2%
Born outside the UK
Council11.7% of residents in Belfast were born outside the UK.
In Northern Ireland the figure is 8.7%.
- Against Northern Ireland
- 34% higher8.7%
Disability
Council26.7% of residents in Belfast had their day-to-day activities limited by a long-term health problem or disability.
In Northern Ireland the figure is 24.3%.
- Against Northern Ireland
- 10% higher24.3%
Good or very good health
Council75.8% of residents in Belfast said their health was good or very good.
In Northern Ireland the figure is 78.7%.
- Against Northern Ireland
- 4% lower78.7%
Households
CouncilBelfast had 149,208 households at the census.
Belfast is 27th highest of 361 for the number of households.
Households without a car or van
Council33.9% of households in Belfast had no car or van at the census.
In Northern Ireland the figure is 19.5%.
- Against Northern Ireland
- 1.7 times19.5%
Owner-occupied homes
Council51.0% of households in Belfast owned their home at the census.
In Northern Ireland the figure is 65.2%.
- Against Northern Ireland
- 22% lower65.2%
Population density
CouncilBelfast had 2,508 people per square kilometre at the census.
In Northern Ireland the figure is 133 per km².
Worked out by Open Index from census population counts and the area of each place.
- Against Northern Ireland
- 19 times133 per km²
Private rented homes
Council20.5% of households in Belfast rented privately at the census.
In Northern Ireland the figure is 17.2%.
- Against Northern Ireland
- 19% higher17.2%
Social rented homes
Council26.3% of households in Belfast rented from a council or housing association at the census.
In Northern Ireland the figure is 15.3%.
- Against Northern Ireland
- 1.7 times15.3%
Degree-level qualifications
CouncilEngland, Wales and Northern Ireland only34.4% of residents aged 16 and over in Belfast had a degree-level qualification at the census.
In Northern Ireland the figure is 32.1%.
- Against Northern Ireland
- 7% higher32.1%
Annual population change
CouncilBelfast’s estimated population changed by −0.1% in the year to mid-2025.
Worked out by Open Index from the mid-year population estimates.