# People and census in Manchester The south east of the North West. 588,256 people (mid-2025 estimate) in 116 square kilometres. 24 layers about people and census for Manchester, each at the level its publisher released it, with its own date and source. In: [North West](https://openindex.co.uk/north-west) ## What is the population of Manchester? Manchester had 551,938 usual residents at the census. Manchester is the 9th most populated of 361 in the UK. ## Population Manchester: **551,938** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. Manchester had 551,938 usual residents at the census. Manchester is the 9th most populated of 361 in the UK. [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/population?place=E08000003) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/population) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/population/north-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/manchester/people#l-population ## Population estimate Manchester: **588,256** (2025, council level). Source: ONS population estimates. Published 1 October 2026. Manchester’s population was an estimated 588,256 in mid-2025. The population fell 0.1% in the year to mid-2025. Manchester is 6th most populated of 361 for population. [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/population-estimate?place=E08000003) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/population-estimate) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/population-estimate/north-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/manchester/people#l-population-estimate ## Aged 15 to 64 Manchester: **71.1%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 71.1% of residents in Manchester were aged 15 to 64 at the census. In North West the figure is 63.7%. - Against North West: 12% higher (63.7%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/age-15-to-64?place=E08000003) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/age-15-to-64) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/age-15-to-64/north-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/manchester/people#l-age-15-to-64 ## Aged 65 and over Manchester: **9.5%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 9.5% of residents in Manchester were aged 65 or over at the census. In North West the figure is 18.7%. - Against North West: 49% lower (18.7%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/age-65-and-over?place=E08000003) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/age-65-and-over) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/age-65-and-over/north-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/manchester/people#l-age-65-and-over ## Aged under 15 Manchester: **19.4%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 19.4% of residents in Manchester were aged under 15 at the census. In North West the figure is 17.6%. - Against North West: 10% higher (17.6%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/age-under-15?place=E08000003) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/age-under-15) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/age-under-15/north-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/manchester/people#l-age-under-15 ## Born outside the UK Manchester: **31.4%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 31.4% of residents in Manchester were born outside the UK. In North West the figure is 11.7%. - Against North West: 2.7 times (11.7%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/born-outside-uk?place=E08000003) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/born-outside-uk) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/born-outside-uk/north-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/manchester/people#l-born-outside-uk ## Disability Manchester: **17.5%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 17.5% of residents in Manchester had their day-to-day activities limited by a long-term health problem or disability. In North West the figure is 19.4%. - Against North West: 10% lower (19.4%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/disability?place=E08000003) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/disability) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/disability/north-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/manchester/people#l-disability ## Good or very good health Manchester: **82.3%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 82.3% of residents in Manchester said their health was good or very good. In North West the figure is 80.4%. - Against North West: 2% higher (80.4%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/good-health?place=E08000003) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/good-health) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/good-health/north-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/manchester/people#l-good-health ## Households Manchester: **214,732** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. Manchester had 214,732 households at the census. Manchester is 12th highest of 361 for the number of households. [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/households?place=E08000003) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/households) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/households/north-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/manchester/people#l-households ## Households without a car or van Manchester: **39.0%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 39.0% of households in Manchester had no car or van at the census. In North West the figure is 24.7%. - Against North West: 1.6 times (24.7%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/no-car-or-van?place=E08000003) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/no-car-or-van) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/no-car-or-van/north-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/manchester/people#l-no-car-or-van ## Owner-occupied homes Manchester: **38.0%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 38.0% of households in Manchester owned their home at the census. In North West the figure is 63.0%. - Against North West: 40% lower (63.0%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/owner-occupied?place=E08000003) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/owner-occupied) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/owner-occupied/north-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/manchester/people#l-owner-occupied ## Population density Manchester: **4,772 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. Manchester had 4,772 people per square kilometre at the census. In North West the figure is 524 per km². - Against North West: 9.1 times (524 per km²) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/population-density?place=E08000003) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/population-density) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/population-density/north-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/manchester/people#l-population-density ## Private rented homes Manchester: **32.3%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 32.3% of households in Manchester rented privately at the census. In North West the figure is 19.2%. - Against North West: 1.7 times (19.2%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/private-rented?place=E08000003) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/private-rented) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/private-rented/north-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/manchester/people#l-private-rented ## Social rented homes Manchester: **29.5%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 29.5% of households in Manchester rented from a council or housing association at the census. In North West the figure is 17.6%. - Against North West: 1.7 times (17.6%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/social-rented?place=E08000003) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/social-rented) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/social-rented/north-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/manchester/people#l-social-rented ## Degree-level qualifications Manchester: **37.6%** (2021, council level, England, Wales and Northern Ireland only). Source: ONS Census 2021 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 37.6% of residents aged 16 and over in Manchester had a degree-level qualification at the census. In North West the figure is 31.2%. - Against North West: 21% higher (31.2%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/degree-level-qualifications?place=E08000003) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/degree-level-qualifications) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/degree-level-qualifications/north-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/manchester/people#l-degree-level-qualifications ## Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh Manchester: **20.9%** (2021, council level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 20.9% of residents in Manchester identified with the Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh ethnic group. In North West the figure is 8.4%. - Against North West: 2.5 times (8.4%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/ethnic-group-asian?place=E08000003) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/ethnic-group-asian) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/ethnic-group-asian/north-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/manchester/people#l-ethnic-group-asian ## Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African Manchester: **11.9%** (2021, council level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 11.9% of residents in Manchester identified with the Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African ethnic group. In North West the figure is 2.3%. - Against North West: 5.2 times (2.3%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/ethnic-group-black?place=E08000003) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/ethnic-group-black) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/ethnic-group-black/north-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/manchester/people#l-ethnic-group-black ## Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups Manchester: **5.3%** (2021, council level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 5.3% of residents in Manchester identified with a Mixed or Multiple ethnic group. In North West the figure is 2.2%. - Against North West: 2.4 times (2.2%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/ethnic-group-mixed?place=E08000003) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/ethnic-group-mixed) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/ethnic-group-mixed/north-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/manchester/people#l-ethnic-group-mixed ## Other ethnic group Manchester: **5.1%** (2021, council level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 5.1% of residents in Manchester identified with another ethnic group, including Arab. In North West the figure is 1.5%. - Against North West: 3.4 times (1.5%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/ethnic-group-other?place=E08000003) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/ethnic-group-other) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/ethnic-group-other/north-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/manchester/people#l-ethnic-group-other ## White ethnic groups Manchester: **56.8%** (2021, council level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 56.8% of residents in Manchester identified with a White ethnic group. In North West the figure is 85.6%. - Against North West: 34% lower (85.6%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/ethnic-group-white?place=E08000003) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/ethnic-group-white) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/ethnic-group-white/north-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/manchester/people#l-ethnic-group-white ## Christian Manchester: **36.2%** (2021, council level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 36.2% of residents in Manchester said they were Christian. In North West the figure is 52.5%. - Against North West: 31% lower (52.5%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/christian?place=E08000003) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/christian) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/christian/north-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/manchester/people#l-religion-christian ## No religion Manchester: **32.4%** (2021, council level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 32.4% of residents in Manchester said they had no religion. In North West the figure is 32.6%. - Against North West: 1% lower (32.6%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/no-religion?place=E08000003) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/no-religion) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/no-religion/north-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/manchester/people#l-religion-none ## Working mainly from home Manchester: **31.6%** (2021, council level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 31.6% of working residents in Manchester worked mainly from home in March 2021. In North West the figure is 27.3%. - Against North West: 16% higher (27.3%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/work-from-home?place=E08000003) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/work-from-home) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/work-from-home/north-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/manchester/people#l-work-from-home ## Annual population change Manchester: **−0.1%** (2025, council level). Source: Worked out by Open Index from the mid-year population estimates. Published 1 October 2026. Manchester’s estimated population changed by −0.1% in the year to mid-2025. [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/population-change?place=E08000003) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/population-change) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/population-change/north-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/manchester/people#l-population-estimate-change-1y ## More on this place - [Overview](https://openindex.co.uk/manchester) - [Housing](https://openindex.co.uk/manchester/housing) (17) - [Crime](https://openindex.co.uk/manchester/crime) (1) - [Deprivation](https://openindex.co.uk/manchester/deprivation) (8) - [Health](https://openindex.co.uk/manchester/health) (4) - [Education](https://openindex.co.uk/manchester/education) (2) - [Environment](https://openindex.co.uk/manchester/environment) (9) - [Transport](https://openindex.co.uk/manchester/transport) (4) - [Connectivity](https://openindex.co.uk/manchester/connectivity) (5) - [Planning](https://openindex.co.uk/manchester/planning) (3) - [Economy](https://openindex.co.uk/manchester/economy) (4) - [Council tax](https://openindex.co.uk/manchester/council-tax) (10) - [Elections](https://openindex.co.uk/manchester/elections) (7) - [Local services](https://openindex.co.uk/manchester/services) (3) - [Sources](https://openindex.co.uk/manchester/sources) (28) The same figures as JSON: https://openindex.co.uk/v1/places/E08000003/data?family=people ## How to cite Source: Open Index, openindex.co.uk. Link to this page, https://openindex.co.uk/manchester/people, or to one figure with its anchor, https://openindex.co.uk/manchester/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 2026.10.8, https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23508850. The HTML page: https://openindex.co.uk/manchester/people