# People and census in South West South west England. 5,906,997 people (mid-2025 estimate) in 23,850 square kilometres. 24 layers about people and census for South West, each at the level its publisher released it, with its own date and source. In: [England](https://openindex.co.uk/england) ## What is the population of South West? South West had 5,701,186 usual residents at the census. South West is the 6th most populated of 12 in the UK. ## Population South West: **5,701,186** (2021, region level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. South West had 5,701,186 usual residents at the census. South West is the 6th most populated of 12 in the UK. [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/population?place=E12000009) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/population) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/population/south-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/south-west/people#l-population ## Population estimate South West: **5,906,997** (2025, region level). Source: ONS population estimates. Published 1 October 2026. South West’s population was an estimated 5,906,997 in mid-2025. The population rose 0.4% in the year to mid-2025. South West is 6th most populated of 12 for population. [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/population-estimate?place=E12000009) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/population-estimate) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/population-estimate/south-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/south-west/people#l-population-estimate ## Aged 15 to 64 South West: **61.8%** (2021, region level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 61.8% of residents in South West were aged 15 to 64 at the census. In England the figure is 64.2%. - Against England: 4% lower (64.2%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/age-15-to-64?place=E12000009) · [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/south-west/people#l-age-15-to-64 ## Aged 65 and over South West: **22.3%** (2021, region level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 22.3% of residents in South West were aged 65 or over at the census. In England the figure is 18.4%. - Against England: 21% higher (18.4%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/age-65-and-over?place=E12000009) · [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/south-west/people#l-age-65-and-over ## Aged under 15 South West: **15.9%** (2021, region level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 15.9% of residents in South West were aged under 15 at the census. In England the figure is 17.4%. - Against England: 9% lower (17.4%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/age-under-15?place=E12000009) · [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/south-west/people#l-age-under-15 ## Born outside the UK South West: **10.2%** (2021, region level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 10.2% of residents in South West were born outside the UK. In England the figure is 17.4%. - Against England: 41% lower (17.4%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/born-outside-uk?place=E12000009) · [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/south-west/people#l-born-outside-uk ## Disability South West: **18.6%** (2021, region level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 18.6% of residents in South West had their day-to-day activities limited by a long-term health problem or disability. In England the figure is 17.3%. - Against England: 8% higher (17.3%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/disability?place=E12000009) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/disability) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/disability/south-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/south-west/people#l-disability ## Good or very good health South West: **81.8%** (2021, region level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 81.8% of residents in South West said their health was good or very good. In England the figure is 82.2%. - Against England: About the same (82.2%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/good-health?place=E12000009) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/good-health) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/good-health/south-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/south-west/people#l-good-health ## Households South West: **2,448,881** (2021, region level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. South West had 2,448,881 households at the census. South West is 6th highest of 12 for the number of households. [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/households?place=E12000009) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/households) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/households/south-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/south-west/people#l-households ## Households without a car or van South West: **16.8%** (2021, region level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 16.8% of households in South West had no car or van at the census. In England the figure is 23.5%. - Against England: 29% lower (23.5%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/no-car-or-van?place=E12000009) · [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/south-west/people#l-no-car-or-van ## Owner-occupied homes South West: **67.0%** (2021, region level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 67.0% of households in South West owned their home at the census. In England the figure is 62.3%. - Against England: 8% higher (62.3%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/owner-occupied?place=E12000009) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/owner-occupied) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/owner-occupied/south-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/south-west/people#l-owner-occupied ## Population density South West: **239 per km²** (2021, region level). Source: Worked out by Open Index from census population counts and the area of each place. Published 21 July 2026. South West had 239 people per square kilometre at the census. In England the figure is 433 per km². - Against England: 45% lower (433 per km²) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/population-density?place=E12000009) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/population-density) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/population-density/south-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/south-west/people#l-population-density ## Private rented homes South West: **19.7%** (2021, region level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 19.7% of households in South West rented privately at the census. In England the figure is 20.5%. - Against England: 4% lower (20.5%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/private-rented?place=E12000009) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/private-rented) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/private-rented/south-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/south-west/people#l-private-rented ## Social rented homes South West: **13.3%** (2021, region level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 13.3% of households in South West rented from a council or housing association at the census. In England the figure is 17.1%. - Against England: 22% lower (17.1%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/social-rented?place=E12000009) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/social-rented) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/social-rented/south-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/south-west/people#l-social-rented ## Degree-level qualifications South West: **33.1%** (2021, region level, England, Wales and Northern Ireland only). Source: ONS Census 2021 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 33.1% of residents aged 16 and over in South West had a degree-level qualification at the census. In England the figure is 33.9%. - Against England: 2% lower (33.9%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/degree-level-qualifications?place=E12000009) · [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/south-west/people#l-degree-level-qualifications ## Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh South West: **2.8%** (2021, region level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 2.8% of residents in South West identified with the Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh ethnic group. In England the figure is 9.6%. - Against England: 71% lower (9.6%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/ethnic-group-asian?place=E12000009) · [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/south-west/people#l-ethnic-group-asian ## Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African South West: **1.2%** (2021, region level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 1.2% of residents in South West identified with the Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African ethnic group. In England the figure is 4.2%. - Against England: 71% lower (4.2%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/ethnic-group-black?place=E12000009) · [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/south-west/people#l-ethnic-group-black ## Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups South West: **2.0%** (2021, region level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 2.0% of residents in South West identified with a Mixed or Multiple ethnic group. In England the figure is 3.0%. - Against England: 33% lower (3.0%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/ethnic-group-mixed?place=E12000009) · [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/south-west/people#l-ethnic-group-mixed ## Other ethnic group South West: **0.9%** (2021, region level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 0.9% of residents in South West identified with another ethnic group, including Arab. In England the figure is 2.2%. - Against England: 59% lower (2.2%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/ethnic-group-other?place=E12000009) · [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/south-west/people#l-ethnic-group-other ## White ethnic groups South West: **93.1%** (2021, region level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 93.1% of residents in South West identified with a White ethnic group. In England the figure is 81.0%. - Against England: 15% higher (81.0%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/ethnic-group-white?place=E12000009) · [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/south-west/people#l-ethnic-group-white ## Christian South West: **46.2%** (2021, region level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 46.2% of residents in South West said they were Christian. In England the figure is 46.3%. - Against England: About the same (46.3%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/christian?place=E12000009) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/christian) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/christian/south-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/south-west/people#l-religion-christian ## No religion South West: **44.1%** (2021, region level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 44.1% of residents in South West said they had no religion. In England the figure is 36.7%. - Against England: 20% higher (36.7%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/no-religion?place=E12000009) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/no-religion) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/no-religion/south-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/south-west/people#l-religion-none ## Working mainly from home South West: **30.4%** (2021, region level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 30.4% of working residents in South West worked mainly from home in March 2021. In England the figure is 31.5%. - Against England: 3% lower (31.5%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/work-from-home?place=E12000009) · [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/south-west/people#l-work-from-home ## Annual population change South West: **0.4%** (2025, region level). Source: Worked out by Open Index from the mid-year population estimates. Published 1 October 2026. South West’s estimated population changed by 0.4% in the year to mid-2025. - Against England: About the same (0.4%) - Against the UK: 33% higher (0.3%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/population-change?place=E12000009) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/population-change) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/population-change/south-west) · https://openindex.co.uk/south-west/people#l-population-estimate-change-1y ## More on this place - [Overview](https://openindex.co.uk/south-west) - [Housing](https://openindex.co.uk/south-west/housing) (17) - [Crime](https://openindex.co.uk/south-west/crime) (13) - [Deprivation](https://openindex.co.uk/south-west/deprivation) (8) - [Health](https://openindex.co.uk/south-west/health) (4) - [Education](https://openindex.co.uk/south-west/education) (2) - [Environment](https://openindex.co.uk/south-west/environment) (9) - [Transport](https://openindex.co.uk/south-west/transport) (4) - [Connectivity](https://openindex.co.uk/south-west/connectivity) (5) - [Planning](https://openindex.co.uk/south-west/planning) (3) - [Economy](https://openindex.co.uk/south-west/economy) (4) - [Council tax](https://openindex.co.uk/south-west/council-tax) (9) - [Elections](https://openindex.co.uk/south-west/elections) (7) - [Local services](https://openindex.co.uk/south-west/services) (3) - [Sources](https://openindex.co.uk/south-west/sources) (28) The same figures as JSON: https://openindex.co.uk/v1/places/E12000009/data?family=people ## How to cite Source: Open Index, openindex.co.uk. Link to this page, https://openindex.co.uk/south-west/people, or to one figure with its anchor, https://openindex.co.uk/south-west/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/south-west/people