# People and census in Shropshire The west of the West Midlands. 333,162 people (mid-2025 estimate) in 3,197 square kilometres. 24 layers about people and census for Shropshire, 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 Shropshire? Shropshire had 323,606 usual residents at the census. Shropshire is the 43rd most populated of 361 in the UK. ## Population Shropshire: **323,606** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. Shropshire had 323,606 usual residents at the census. Shropshire is the 43rd most populated of 361 in the UK. [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/population?place=E06000051) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/population) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/population/west-midlands) · https://openindex.co.uk/shropshire/people#l-population ## Population estimate Shropshire: **333,162** (2025, council level). Source: ONS population estimates. Published 1 October 2026. Shropshire’s population was an estimated 333,162 in mid-2025. The population rose 0.4% in the year to mid-2025. Shropshire is 44th most populated of 361 for population. [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/population-estimate?place=E06000051) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/population-estimate) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/population-estimate/west-midlands) · https://openindex.co.uk/shropshire/people#l-population-estimate ## Aged 15 to 64 Shropshire: **59.8%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 59.8% of residents in Shropshire were aged 15 to 64 at the census. In West Midlands the figure is 63.1%. - Against West Midlands: 5% lower (63.1%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/age-15-to-64?place=E06000051) · [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/shropshire/people#l-age-15-to-64 ## Aged 65 and over Shropshire: **25.4%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 25.4% of residents in Shropshire were aged 65 or over at the census. In West Midlands the figure is 18.8%. - Against West Midlands: 35% higher (18.8%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/age-65-and-over?place=E06000051) · [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/shropshire/people#l-age-65-and-over ## Aged under 15 Shropshire: **14.8%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 14.8% of residents in Shropshire were aged under 15 at the census. In West Midlands the figure is 18.1%. - Against West Midlands: 18% lower (18.1%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/age-under-15?place=E06000051) · [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/shropshire/people#l-age-under-15 ## Born outside the UK Shropshire: **5.9%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 5.9% of residents in Shropshire were born outside the UK. In West Midlands the figure is 15.2%. - Against West Midlands: 61% lower (15.2%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/born-outside-uk?place=E06000051) · [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/shropshire/people#l-born-outside-uk ## Disability Shropshire: **18.5%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 18.5% of residents in Shropshire 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: 2% higher (18.1%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/disability?place=E06000051) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/disability) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/disability/west-midlands) · https://openindex.co.uk/shropshire/people#l-disability ## Good or very good health Shropshire: **81.3%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 81.3% of residents in Shropshire said their health was good or very good. In West Midlands the figure is 80.8%. - Against West Midlands: 1% higher (80.8%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/good-health?place=E06000051) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/good-health) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/good-health/west-midlands) · https://openindex.co.uk/shropshire/people#l-good-health ## Households Shropshire: **139,579** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. Shropshire had 139,579 households at the census. Shropshire is 35th highest of 361 for the number of households. [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/households?place=E06000051) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/households) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/households/west-midlands) · https://openindex.co.uk/shropshire/people#l-households ## Households without a car or van Shropshire: **13.8%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 13.8% of households in Shropshire had no car or van at the census. In West Midlands the figure is 21.5%. - Against West Midlands: 36% lower (21.5%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/no-car-or-van?place=E06000051) · [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/shropshire/people#l-no-car-or-van ## Owner-occupied homes Shropshire: **69.5%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 69.5% of households in Shropshire owned their home at the census. In West Midlands the figure is 63.6%. - Against West Midlands: 9% higher (63.6%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/owner-occupied?place=E06000051) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/owner-occupied) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/owner-occupied/west-midlands) · https://openindex.co.uk/shropshire/people#l-owner-occupied ## Population density Shropshire: **101 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. Shropshire had 101 people per square kilometre at the census. In West Midlands the figure is 458 per km². - Against West Midlands: 78% lower (458 per km²) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/population-density?place=E06000051) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/population-density) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/population-density/west-midlands) · https://openindex.co.uk/shropshire/people#l-population-density ## Private rented homes Shropshire: **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 households in Shropshire rented privately at the census. In West Midlands the figure is 17.9%. - Against West Midlands: 2% lower (17.9%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/private-rented?place=E06000051) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/private-rented) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/private-rented/west-midlands) · https://openindex.co.uk/shropshire/people#l-private-rented ## Social rented homes Shropshire: **13.0%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 13.0% of households in Shropshire rented from a council or housing association at the census. In West Midlands the figure is 18.2%. - Against West Midlands: 29% lower (18.2%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/social-rented?place=E06000051) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/social-rented) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/social-rented/west-midlands) · https://openindex.co.uk/shropshire/people#l-social-rented ## Degree-level qualifications Shropshire: **32.5%** (2021, council level, England, Wales and Northern Ireland only). Source: ONS Census 2021 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 32.5% of residents aged 16 and over in Shropshire had a degree-level qualification at the census. In West Midlands the figure is 29.4%. - Against West Midlands: 11% higher (29.4%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/degree-level-qualifications?place=E06000051) · [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/shropshire/people#l-degree-level-qualifications ## Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh Shropshire: **1.3%** (2021, council level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 1.3% of residents in Shropshire identified with the Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh ethnic group. In West Midlands the figure is 13.3%. - Against West Midlands: 90% lower (13.3%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/ethnic-group-asian?place=E06000051) · [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/shropshire/people#l-ethnic-group-asian ## Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African Shropshire: **0.3%** (2021, council level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 0.3% of residents in Shropshire identified with the Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African ethnic group. In West Midlands the figure is 4.5%. - Against West Midlands: 93% lower (4.5%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/ethnic-group-black?place=E06000051) · [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/shropshire/people#l-ethnic-group-black ## Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups Shropshire: **1.2%** (2021, council level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 1.2% of residents in Shropshire identified with a Mixed or Multiple ethnic group. In West Midlands the figure is 3.0%. - Against West Midlands: 60% lower (3.0%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/ethnic-group-mixed?place=E06000051) · [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/shropshire/people#l-ethnic-group-mixed ## Other ethnic group Shropshire: **0.4%** (2021, council level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 0.4% of residents in Shropshire identified with another ethnic group, including Arab. In West Midlands the figure is 2.1%. - Against West Midlands: 81% lower (2.1%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/ethnic-group-other?place=E06000051) · [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/shropshire/people#l-ethnic-group-other ## White ethnic groups Shropshire: **96.7%** (2021, council level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 96.7% of residents in Shropshire identified with a White ethnic group. In West Midlands the figure is 77.0%. - Against West Midlands: 26% higher (77.0%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/ethnic-group-white?place=E06000051) · [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/shropshire/people#l-ethnic-group-white ## Christian Shropshire: **55.5%** (2021, council level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 55.5% of residents in Shropshire said they were Christian. In West Midlands the figure is 46.6%. - Against West Midlands: 19% higher (46.6%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/christian?place=E06000051) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/christian) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/christian/west-midlands) · https://openindex.co.uk/shropshire/people#l-religion-christian ## No religion Shropshire: **37.0%** (2021, council level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 37.0% of residents in Shropshire said they had no religion. In West Midlands the figure is 32.9%. - Against West Midlands: 12% higher (32.9%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/no-religion?place=E06000051) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/no-religion) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/no-religion/west-midlands) · https://openindex.co.uk/shropshire/people#l-religion-none ## Working mainly from home Shropshire: **27.2%** (2021, council level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 27.2% of working residents in Shropshire worked mainly from home in March 2021. In West Midlands the figure is 25.7%. - Against West Midlands: 6% higher (25.7%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/work-from-home?place=E06000051) · [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/shropshire/people#l-work-from-home ## Annual population change Shropshire: **0.4%** (2025, council level). Source: Worked out by Open Index from the mid-year population estimates. Published 1 October 2026. Shropshire’s estimated population changed by 0.4% in the year to mid-2025. - Against West Midlands: About the same (0.4%) - Against the UK: 33% higher (0.3%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/population-change?place=E06000051) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/population-change) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/population-change/west-midlands) · https://openindex.co.uk/shropshire/people#l-population-estimate-change-1y ## More on this place - [Overview](https://openindex.co.uk/shropshire) - [Housing](https://openindex.co.uk/shropshire/housing) (17) - [Crime](https://openindex.co.uk/shropshire/crime) (13) - [Deprivation](https://openindex.co.uk/shropshire/deprivation) (8) - [Health](https://openindex.co.uk/shropshire/health) (4) - [Education](https://openindex.co.uk/shropshire/education) (2) - [Environment](https://openindex.co.uk/shropshire/environment) (9) - [Transport](https://openindex.co.uk/shropshire/transport) (4) - [Connectivity](https://openindex.co.uk/shropshire/connectivity) (5) - [Planning](https://openindex.co.uk/shropshire/planning) (3) - [Economy](https://openindex.co.uk/shropshire/economy) (4) - [Council tax](https://openindex.co.uk/shropshire/council-tax) (10) - [Elections](https://openindex.co.uk/shropshire/elections) (7) - [Local services](https://openindex.co.uk/shropshire/services) (3) - [Sources](https://openindex.co.uk/shropshire/sources) (28) The same figures as JSON: https://openindex.co.uk/v1/places/E06000051/data?family=people ## How to cite Source: Open Index, openindex.co.uk. Link to this page, https://openindex.co.uk/shropshire/people, or to one figure with its anchor, https://openindex.co.uk/shropshire/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/shropshire/people