# People and census in Somerset The middle of the South West. 590,972 people (mid-2025 estimate) in 3,452 square kilometres. 24 layers about people and census for Somerset, each at the level its publisher released it, with its own date and source. In: [South West](https://openindex.co.uk/south-west) ## What is the population of Somerset? Somerset had 571,526 usual residents at the census. Somerset is the 5th most populated of 361 in the UK. ## Population Somerset: **571,526** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. Somerset had 571,526 usual residents at the census. Somerset is the 5th most populated of 361 in the UK. [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/population?place=E06000066) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/population) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/population/south-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/somerset/people#l-population ## Population estimate Somerset: **590,972** (2025, council level). Source: ONS population estimates. Published 1 October 2026. Somerset’s population was an estimated 590,972 in mid-2025. The population rose 0.5% in the year to mid-2025. Somerset is 5th most populated of 361 for population. [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/population-estimate?place=E06000066) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/population-estimate) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/population-estimate/south-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/somerset/people#l-population-estimate ## Aged 15 to 64 Somerset: **59.4%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 59.4% of residents in Somerset were aged 15 to 64 at the census. In South West the figure is 61.8%. - Against South West: 4% lower (61.8%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/age-15-to-64?place=E06000066) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/age-15-to-64) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/age-15-to-64/south-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/somerset/people#l-age-15-to-64 ## Aged 65 and over Somerset: **24.8%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 24.8% of residents in Somerset were aged 65 or over at the census. In South West the figure is 22.3%. - Against South West: 11% higher (22.3%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/age-65-and-over?place=E06000066) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/age-65-and-over) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/age-65-and-over/south-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/somerset/people#l-age-65-and-over ## Aged under 15 Somerset: **15.8%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 15.8% of residents in Somerset were aged under 15 at the census. In South West the figure is 15.9%. - Against South West: 1% lower (15.9%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/age-under-15?place=E06000066) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/age-under-15) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/age-under-15/south-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/somerset/people#l-age-under-15 ## Born outside the UK Somerset: **8.5%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 8.5% of residents in Somerset were born outside the UK. In South West the figure is 10.2%. - Against South West: 17% lower (10.2%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/born-outside-uk?place=E06000066) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/born-outside-uk) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/born-outside-uk/south-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/somerset/people#l-born-outside-uk ## Disability Somerset: **18.6%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 18.6% of residents in Somerset had their day-to-day activities limited by a long-term health problem or disability. In South West the figure is 18.6%. - Against South West: About the same (18.6%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/disability?place=E06000066) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/disability) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/disability/south-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/somerset/people#l-disability ## Good or very good health Somerset: **81.2%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 81.2% of residents in Somerset said their health was good or very good. In South West the figure is 81.8%. - Against South West: 1% lower (81.8%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/good-health?place=E06000066) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/good-health) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/good-health/south-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/somerset/people#l-good-health ## Households Somerset: **250,127** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. Somerset had 250,127 households at the census. Somerset is 6th highest of 361 for the number of households. [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/households?place=E06000066) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/households) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/households/south-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/somerset/people#l-households ## Households without a car or van Somerset: **14.0%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 14.0% of households in Somerset had no car or van at the census. In South West the figure is 16.8%. - Against South West: 17% lower (16.8%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/no-car-or-van?place=E06000066) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/no-car-or-van) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/no-car-or-van/south-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/somerset/people#l-no-car-or-van ## Owner-occupied homes Somerset: **68.5%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 68.5% of households in Somerset owned their home at the census. In South West the figure is 67.0%. - Against South West: 2% higher (67.0%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/owner-occupied?place=E06000066) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/owner-occupied) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/owner-occupied/south-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/somerset/people#l-owner-occupied ## Population density Somerset: **166 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. Somerset had 166 people per square kilometre at the census. In South West the figure is 239 per km². - Against South West: 31% lower (239 per km²) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/population-density?place=E06000066) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/population-density) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/population-density/south-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/somerset/people#l-population-density ## Private rented homes Somerset: **17.7%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 17.7% of households in Somerset rented privately at the census. In South West the figure is 19.7%. - Against South West: 10% lower (19.7%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/private-rented?place=E06000066) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/private-rented) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/private-rented/south-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/somerset/people#l-private-rented ## Social rented homes Somerset: **13.7%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 13.7% of households in Somerset rented from a council or housing association at the census. In South West the figure is 13.3%. - Against South West: 3% higher (13.3%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/social-rented?place=E06000066) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/social-rented) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/social-rented/south-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/somerset/people#l-social-rented ## Degree-level qualifications Somerset: **30.5%** (2021, council level, England, Wales and Northern Ireland only). Source: ONS Census 2021 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 30.5% of residents aged 16 and over in Somerset had a degree-level qualification at the census. In South West the figure is 33.1%. - Against South West: 8% lower (33.1%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/degree-level-qualifications?place=E06000066) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/degree-level-qualifications) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/degree-level-qualifications/south-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/somerset/people#l-degree-level-qualifications ## Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh Somerset: **1.5%** (2021, council level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 1.5% of residents in Somerset identified with the Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh ethnic group. In South West the figure is 2.8%. - Against South West: 46% lower (2.8%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/ethnic-group-asian?place=E06000066) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/ethnic-group-asian) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/ethnic-group-asian/south-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/somerset/people#l-ethnic-group-asian ## Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African Somerset: **0.4%** (2021, council level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 0.4% of residents in Somerset identified with the Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African ethnic group. In South West the figure is 1.2%. - Against South West: 67% lower (1.2%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/ethnic-group-black?place=E06000066) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/ethnic-group-black) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/ethnic-group-black/south-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/somerset/people#l-ethnic-group-black ## Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups Somerset: **1.3%** (2021, council level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 1.3% of residents in Somerset identified with a Mixed or Multiple ethnic group. In South West the figure is 2.0%. - Against South West: 35% lower (2.0%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/ethnic-group-mixed?place=E06000066) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/ethnic-group-mixed) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/ethnic-group-mixed/south-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/somerset/people#l-ethnic-group-mixed ## Other ethnic group Somerset: **0.4%** (2021, council level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 0.4% of residents in Somerset identified with another ethnic group, including Arab. In South West the figure is 0.9%. - Against South West: 56% lower (0.9%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/ethnic-group-other?place=E06000066) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/ethnic-group-other) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/ethnic-group-other/south-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/somerset/people#l-ethnic-group-other ## White ethnic groups Somerset: **96.4%** (2021, council level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 96.4% of residents in Somerset identified with a White ethnic group. In South West the figure is 93.1%. - Against South West: 4% higher (93.1%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/ethnic-group-white?place=E06000066) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/ethnic-group-white) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/ethnic-group-white/south-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/somerset/people#l-ethnic-group-white ## Christian Somerset: **50.2%** (2021, council level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 50.2% of residents in Somerset said they were Christian. In South West the figure is 46.2%. - Against South West: 9% higher (46.2%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/christian?place=E06000066) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/christian) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/christian/south-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/somerset/people#l-religion-christian ## No religion Somerset: **41.5%** (2021, council level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 41.5% of residents in Somerset said they had no religion. In South West the figure is 44.1%. - Against South West: 6% lower (44.1%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/no-religion?place=E06000066) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/no-religion) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/no-religion/south-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/somerset/people#l-religion-none ## Working mainly from home Somerset: **26.1%** (2021, council level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 26.1% of working residents in Somerset worked mainly from home in March 2021. In South West the figure is 30.4%. - Against South West: 14% lower (30.4%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/work-from-home?place=E06000066) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/work-from-home) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/work-from-home/south-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/somerset/people#l-work-from-home ## Annual population change Somerset: **0.5%** (2025, council level). Source: Worked out by Open Index from the mid-year population estimates. Published 1 October 2026. Somerset’s estimated population changed by 0.5% in the year to mid-2025. - Against South West: 25% higher (0.4%) - Against the UK: 1.7 times (0.3%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/population-change?place=E06000066) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/population-change) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/population-change/south-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/somerset/people#l-population-estimate-change-1y ## More on this place - [Overview](https://openindex.co.uk/somerset) - [Housing](https://openindex.co.uk/somerset/housing) (17) - [Crime](https://openindex.co.uk/somerset/crime) (13) - [Deprivation](https://openindex.co.uk/somerset/deprivation) (8) - [Health](https://openindex.co.uk/somerset/health) (4) - [Education](https://openindex.co.uk/somerset/education) (2) - [Environment](https://openindex.co.uk/somerset/environment) (9) - [Transport](https://openindex.co.uk/somerset/transport) (4) - [Connectivity](https://openindex.co.uk/somerset/connectivity) (5) - [Planning](https://openindex.co.uk/somerset/planning) (3) - [Economy](https://openindex.co.uk/somerset/economy) (4) - [Council tax](https://openindex.co.uk/somerset/council-tax) (10) - [Elections](https://openindex.co.uk/somerset/elections) (7) - [Local services](https://openindex.co.uk/somerset/services) (3) - [Sources](https://openindex.co.uk/somerset/sources) (28) The same figures as JSON: https://openindex.co.uk/v1/places/E06000066/data?family=people ## How to cite Source: Open Index, openindex.co.uk. Link to this page, https://openindex.co.uk/somerset/people, or to one figure with its anchor, https://openindex.co.uk/somerset/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. The HTML page: https://openindex.co.uk/somerset/people