# People and census in Birmingham The middle of the West Midlands. 1,176,960 people (mid-2025 estimate) in 268 square kilometres. 24 layers about people and census for Birmingham, each at the level its publisher released it, with its own date and source. In: [West Midlands](https://openindex.co.uk/west-midlands) ## What is the population of Birmingham? Birmingham had 1,144,919 usual residents at the census. Birmingham is the most populated of 361 in the UK. ## Population Birmingham: **1,144,919** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. Birmingham had 1,144,919 usual residents at the census. Birmingham is the most populated of 361 in the UK. [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/population?place=E08000025) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/population) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/population/west-midlands) · https://openindex.co.uk/birmingham/people#l-population ## Population estimate Birmingham: **1,176,960** (2025, council level). Source: ONS population estimates. Published 1 October 2026. Birmingham’s population was an estimated 1,176,960 in mid-2025. The population fell 0.5% in the year to mid-2025. Birmingham is most populated of 361 for population. [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/population-estimate?place=E08000025) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/population-estimate) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/population-estimate/west-midlands) · https://openindex.co.uk/birmingham/people#l-population-estimate ## Aged 15 to 64 Birmingham: **66.0%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 66.0% of residents in Birmingham were aged 15 to 64 at the census. In West Midlands the figure is 63.1%. - Against West Midlands: 5% higher (63.1%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/age-15-to-64?place=E08000025) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/age-15-to-64) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/age-15-to-64/west-midlands) · https://openindex.co.uk/birmingham/people#l-age-15-to-64 ## Aged 65 and over Birmingham: **13.1%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 13.1% of residents in Birmingham were aged 65 or over at the census. In West Midlands the figure is 18.8%. - Against West Midlands: 30% lower (18.8%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/age-65-and-over?place=E08000025) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/age-65-and-over) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/age-65-and-over/west-midlands) · https://openindex.co.uk/birmingham/people#l-age-65-and-over ## Aged under 15 Birmingham: **20.9%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 20.9% of residents in Birmingham were aged under 15 at the census. In West Midlands the figure is 18.1%. - Against West Midlands: 15% higher (18.1%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/age-under-15?place=E08000025) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/age-under-15) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/age-under-15/west-midlands) · https://openindex.co.uk/birmingham/people#l-age-under-15 ## Born outside the UK Birmingham: **26.7%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 26.7% of residents in Birmingham were born outside the UK. In West Midlands the figure is 15.2%. - Against West Midlands: 1.8 times (15.2%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/born-outside-uk?place=E08000025) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/born-outside-uk) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/born-outside-uk/west-midlands) · https://openindex.co.uk/birmingham/people#l-born-outside-uk ## Disability Birmingham: **17.3%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 17.3% of residents in Birmingham had their day-to-day activities limited by a long-term health problem or disability. In West Midlands the figure is 18.1%. - Against West Midlands: 4% lower (18.1%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/disability?place=E08000025) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/disability) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/disability/west-midlands) · https://openindex.co.uk/birmingham/people#l-disability ## Good or very good health Birmingham: **80.8%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 80.8% of residents in Birmingham said their health was good or very good. In West Midlands the figure is 80.8%. - Against West Midlands: About the same (80.8%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/good-health?place=E08000025) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/good-health) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/good-health/west-midlands) · https://openindex.co.uk/birmingham/people#l-good-health ## Households Birmingham: **423,456** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. Birmingham had 423,456 households at the census. Birmingham is highest of 361 for the number of households. [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/households?place=E08000025) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/households) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/households/west-midlands) · https://openindex.co.uk/birmingham/people#l-households ## Households without a car or van Birmingham: **31.7%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 31.7% of households in Birmingham had no car or van at the census. In West Midlands the figure is 21.5%. - Against West Midlands: 47% higher (21.5%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/no-car-or-van?place=E08000025) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/no-car-or-van) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/no-car-or-van/west-midlands) · https://openindex.co.uk/birmingham/people#l-no-car-or-van ## Owner-occupied homes Birmingham: **53.5%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 53.5% of households in Birmingham owned their home at the census. In West Midlands the figure is 63.6%. - Against West Midlands: 16% lower (63.6%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/owner-occupied?place=E08000025) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/owner-occupied) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/owner-occupied/west-midlands) · https://openindex.co.uk/birmingham/people#l-owner-occupied ## Population density Birmingham: **4,276 per km²** (2021, council level). Source: Worked out by Open Index from census population counts and the area of each place. Published 21 July 2026. Birmingham had 4,276 people per square kilometre at the census. In West Midlands the figure is 458 per km². - Against West Midlands: 9.3 times (458 per km²) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/population-density?place=E08000025) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/population-density) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/population-density/west-midlands) · https://openindex.co.uk/birmingham/people#l-population-density ## Private rented homes Birmingham: **22.6%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 22.6% of households in Birmingham rented privately at the census. In West Midlands the figure is 17.9%. - Against West Midlands: 26% higher (17.9%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/private-rented?place=E08000025) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/private-rented) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/private-rented/west-midlands) · https://openindex.co.uk/birmingham/people#l-private-rented ## Social rented homes Birmingham: **23.5%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 23.5% of households in Birmingham rented from a council or housing association at the census. In West Midlands the figure is 18.2%. - Against West Midlands: 29% higher (18.2%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/social-rented?place=E08000025) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/social-rented) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/social-rented/west-midlands) · https://openindex.co.uk/birmingham/people#l-social-rented ## Degree-level qualifications Birmingham: **29.9%** (2021, council level, England, Wales and Northern Ireland only). Source: ONS Census 2021 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 29.9% of residents aged 16 and over in Birmingham had a degree-level qualification at the census. In West Midlands the figure is 29.4%. - Against West Midlands: 2% higher (29.4%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/degree-level-qualifications?place=E08000025) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/degree-level-qualifications) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/degree-level-qualifications/west-midlands) · https://openindex.co.uk/birmingham/people#l-degree-level-qualifications ## Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh Birmingham: **31.0%** (2021, council level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 31.0% of residents in Birmingham identified with the Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh ethnic group. In West Midlands the figure is 13.3%. - Against West Midlands: 2.3 times (13.3%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/ethnic-group-asian?place=E08000025) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/ethnic-group-asian) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/ethnic-group-asian/west-midlands) · https://openindex.co.uk/birmingham/people#l-ethnic-group-asian ## Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African Birmingham: **11.0%** (2021, council level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 11.0% of residents in Birmingham identified with the Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African ethnic group. In West Midlands the figure is 4.5%. - Against West Midlands: 2.4 times (4.5%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/ethnic-group-black?place=E08000025) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/ethnic-group-black) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/ethnic-group-black/west-midlands) · https://openindex.co.uk/birmingham/people#l-ethnic-group-black ## Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups Birmingham: **4.8%** (2021, council level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 4.8% of residents in Birmingham identified with a Mixed or Multiple ethnic group. In West Midlands the figure is 3.0%. - Against West Midlands: 1.6 times (3.0%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/ethnic-group-mixed?place=E08000025) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/ethnic-group-mixed) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/ethnic-group-mixed/west-midlands) · https://openindex.co.uk/birmingham/people#l-ethnic-group-mixed ## Other ethnic group Birmingham: **4.5%** (2021, council level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 4.5% of residents in Birmingham identified with another ethnic group, including Arab. In West Midlands the figure is 2.1%. - Against West Midlands: 2.1 times (2.1%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/ethnic-group-other?place=E08000025) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/ethnic-group-other) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/ethnic-group-other/west-midlands) · https://openindex.co.uk/birmingham/people#l-ethnic-group-other ## White ethnic groups Birmingham: **48.6%** (2021, council level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 48.6% of residents in Birmingham identified with a White ethnic group. In West Midlands the figure is 77.0%. - Against West Midlands: 37% lower (77.0%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/ethnic-group-white?place=E08000025) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/ethnic-group-white) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/ethnic-group-white/west-midlands) · https://openindex.co.uk/birmingham/people#l-ethnic-group-white ## Christian Birmingham: **34.0%** (2021, council level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 34.0% of residents in Birmingham said they were Christian. In West Midlands the figure is 46.6%. - Against West Midlands: 27% lower (46.6%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/christian?place=E08000025) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/christian) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/christian/west-midlands) · https://openindex.co.uk/birmingham/people#l-religion-christian ## No religion Birmingham: **24.1%** (2021, council level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 24.1% of residents in Birmingham said they had no religion. In West Midlands the figure is 32.9%. - Against West Midlands: 27% lower (32.9%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/no-religion?place=E08000025) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/no-religion) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/no-religion/west-midlands) · https://openindex.co.uk/birmingham/people#l-religion-none ## Working mainly from home Birmingham: **25.8%** (2021, council level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 25.8% of working residents in Birmingham worked mainly from home in March 2021. In West Midlands the figure is 25.7%. - Against West Midlands: About the same (25.7%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/work-from-home?place=E08000025) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/work-from-home) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/work-from-home/west-midlands) · https://openindex.co.uk/birmingham/people#l-work-from-home ## Annual population change Birmingham: **−0.5%** (2025, council level). Source: Worked out by Open Index from the mid-year population estimates. Published 1 October 2026. Birmingham’s estimated population changed by −0.5% in the year to mid-2025. [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/population-change?place=E08000025) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/population-change) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/population-change/west-midlands) · https://openindex.co.uk/birmingham/people#l-population-estimate-change-1y ## More on this place - [Overview](https://openindex.co.uk/birmingham) - [Housing](https://openindex.co.uk/birmingham/housing) (17) - [Crime](https://openindex.co.uk/birmingham/crime) (13) - [Deprivation](https://openindex.co.uk/birmingham/deprivation) (8) - [Health](https://openindex.co.uk/birmingham/health) (4) - [Education](https://openindex.co.uk/birmingham/education) (2) - [Environment](https://openindex.co.uk/birmingham/environment) (9) - [Transport](https://openindex.co.uk/birmingham/transport) (4) - [Connectivity](https://openindex.co.uk/birmingham/connectivity) (5) - [Planning](https://openindex.co.uk/birmingham/planning) (3) - [Economy](https://openindex.co.uk/birmingham/economy) (4) - [Council tax](https://openindex.co.uk/birmingham/council-tax) (10) - [Elections](https://openindex.co.uk/birmingham/elections) (7) - [Local services](https://openindex.co.uk/birmingham/services) (3) - [Sources](https://openindex.co.uk/birmingham/sources) (28) The same figures as JSON: https://openindex.co.uk/v1/places/E08000025/data?family=people ## How to cite Source: Open Index, openindex.co.uk. Link to this page, https://openindex.co.uk/birmingham/people, or to one figure with its anchor, https://openindex.co.uk/birmingham/people#l-population. Open Index's own text and the figures it works out are licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Source data keeps its publishers' licences, named with each figure. Give each figure's period and source with it. Snapshot 2026.10.9. The HTML page: https://openindex.co.uk/birmingham/people