People and census in Swale
DistrictThe east of the South East. 160,671 people in 373 square kilometres.
24 layers about people and census for Swale, each at the level its publisher released it, with its own date and source.
Population by output area
Census 2021, England and Wales
Swale’s 459 output areas range from 119 to 1,631.
What is the population of Swale?
Swale had 151,676 usual residents at the census.
Swale is the 161st most populated of 361 in the UK.
Population
CouncilSwale had 151,676 usual residents at the census.
Swale is the 161st most populated of 361 in the UK.
Population estimate
CouncilSwale’s population was an estimated 160,671 in mid-2025.
The population rose 1.2% in the year to mid-2025.
Swale is 157th most populated of 361 for population.
Aged 15 to 64
Council62.6% of residents in Swale were aged 15 to 64 at the census.
In South East the figure is 63.1%.
- Against South East
- 1% lower63.1%
Aged 65 and over
Council19.1% of residents in Swale were aged 65 or over at the census.
In South East the figure is 19.4%.
- Against South East
- 2% lower19.4%
Aged under 15
Council18.4% of residents in Swale were aged under 15 at the census.
In South East the figure is 17.4%.
- Against South East
- 6% higher17.4%
Born outside the UK
Council8.0% of residents in Swale were born outside the UK.
In South East the figure is 15.8%.
- Against South East
- 49% lower15.8%
Disability
Council19.5% of residents in Swale had their day-to-day activities limited by a long-term health problem or disability.
In South East the figure is 16.1%.
- Against South East
- 21% higher16.1%
Good or very good health
Council80.2% of residents in Swale said their health was good or very good.
In South East the figure is 84.0%.
- Against South East
- 5% lower84.0%
Households
CouncilSwale had 60,495 households at the census.
Swale is 180th lowest of 361 for the number of households.
Households without a car or van
Council16.6% of households in Swale had no car or van at the census.
In South East the figure is 16.9%.
- Against South East
- 2% lower16.9%
Owner-occupied homes
Council68.3% of households in Swale owned their home at the census.
In South East the figure is 67.1%.
- Against South East
- 2% higher67.1%
Population density
CouncilSwale had 406 people per square kilometre at the census.
In South East the figure is 486 per km².
Worked out by Open Index from census population counts and the area of each place.
- Against South East
- 16% lower486 per km²
Private rented homes
Council18.4% of households in Swale rented privately at the census.
In South East the figure is 19.2%.
- Against South East
- 4% lower19.2%
Social rented homes
Council13.3% of households in Swale rented from a council or housing association at the census.
In South East the figure is 13.6%.
- Against South East
- 2% lower13.6%
Degree-level qualifications
CouncilEngland, Wales and Northern Ireland only23.7% of residents aged 16 and over in Swale had a degree-level qualification at the census.
In South East the figure is 35.8%.
- Against South East
- 34% lower35.8%
Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh
CouncilEngland and Wales only1.5% of residents in Swale identified with the Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh ethnic group.
In South East the figure is 7.0%.
- Against South East
- 79% lower7.0%
Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African
CouncilEngland and Wales only2.3% of residents in Swale identified with the Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African ethnic group.
In South East the figure is 2.4%.
- Against South East
- 4% lower2.4%
Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups
CouncilEngland and Wales only1.8% of residents in Swale identified with a Mixed or Multiple ethnic group.
In South East the figure is 2.8%.
- Against South East
- 36% lower2.8%
Other ethnic group
CouncilEngland and Wales only0.5% of residents in Swale identified with another ethnic group, including Arab.
In South East the figure is 1.5%.
- Against South East
- 67% lower1.5%
White ethnic groups
CouncilEngland and Wales only93.8% of residents in Swale identified with a White ethnic group.
In South East the figure is 86.3%.
- Against South East
- 9% higher86.3%
Christian
CouncilEngland and Wales only47.2% of residents in Swale said they were Christian.
In South East the figure is 46.5%.
- Against South East
- 2% higher46.5%
No religion
CouncilEngland and Wales only45.3% of residents in Swale said they had no religion.
In South East the figure is 40.2%.
- Against South East
- 13% higher40.2%
Working mainly from home
CouncilEngland and Wales only25.4% of working residents in Swale worked mainly from home in March 2021.
In South East the figure is 35.8%.
- Against South East
- 29% lower35.8%
Annual population change
CouncilSwale’s estimated population changed by 1.2% in the year to mid-2025.
Worked out by Open Index from the mid-year population estimates.
- Against South East
- twice0.6%
- Against the UK
- 4 times0.3%