Populations around Preston

Population data from the 2021 Census held on 21st March 2021 (during the pandemic)

by the Office of National Statistics (ONS)

 

Preston has grown by 7,600 in the last 10 years to 147,800..

The population of Preston is growing at 5.4%, similar to the North West at 5.2%, but slower than England at 6.6%. South Ribble increased by 1.8%. Chorley and Burnley are fast growers at 9.8% and 8.7% respecitively.

45.1% of Preston residents described themselves of 'very good health' which is 2.9% more than in 2011.

 

An interesting feature of Preston's population is presumably caused by by UCLan. The peak population age groups are aged 20 to 23. Blackburn's peaks at in the 11-13 age area which is just higher than the late 30s and early 50s.

Blackpool peaks at 51.Fylde peaks at 73 as does Wyre. Wyre has a very old population with very few 20yr olds.

 

Preston's population is forecast not to increase too much up to 2043 although the data is around 5yrs old and a lot of new houses are being built in 2023. The population of Chorley is on a fast growth trajectory and could overtake Preston if the trend continued. Wyre and Fylde are also on faster growth trajectories presumably on their green fields.. Blackpool's trajectory is almost flat although population density in Blackpool is double Prestons.

 

 

 

Population first Census Estimate in 2011

by the Office of National Statistics (ONS)

Interesting that Preston has grown by 10,000 in the last 10 years. The North West by 300,000 mainly in the urban belt near Manchester.

The population of Preston is forecast to reach 145,000 by 2021 according to the Preston Council website, based on a forecast from the 2011 census.

Wigan has 317,000 yet Wigan itself is only 80,000. So these are districts which take in surrounding areas although Preston seems to be restricted to its boundaries. I'd think the natural area for Preston will include a lot of the surrounding areas like South Ribble for example.

	Preston		140,200
	South Ribble		109,100	Area on the other side of the River Ribble from Preston. Includes; Walton Le Dale, Bamber Bridge, Lostock Hall, Farington, Leyland. Cotton and trucks.
	Blackpool		142,100	20 miles west of Preston. Reknowned holiday resort.
	Bolton		276,800	20 miles south east of Preston, large town similar background to Preston, grown mainly through cotton.
	Blackburn/Darwen		147,500	15 miles east of Preston, large former cotton town.
	Wigan Area		317,800	15 miles south of Preston, former coal mining and cotton town.
	Burnley		87,000	20 miles east, former cotton town, also coal mining.
	Lancaster		138,500	20 miles north, county town, castle, former port. Respected University.
	Ribble Valley		57,100	North east of Preston, agricultural area; comprising; Longridge, Clitheroe, Whalley.
	Fylde		75,800	West of Preston including Kirkham, Lytham - St Annes.
	West Lancs		110,700	West of Preston, south of the river, Ormskirk and Burscough.
	Wyre		107,700	North west of Preston including Garstang, Fleetwood and Poulton Le Fylde.
	Chorley		107,200	7 miles south of Preston.
	North West		7,052,200
	England		53,012,500
	UK*		62,641,100	*2010 estimate as Scotland hasn't released 2011.

 

Population Estimated in 2007

by the Office of National Statistics (ONS)

Interesting that Preston has grown by 2,000 in the last few years and the North West by 150,000. I'm not fully clear on how these figures are formed as Wigan has 305,000 yet Wigan itself is only 80,000. So these are districts which take in surrounding areas although Preston seems to be restricted to its boundaries. I'd think the natural area for Preston will include a lot of the surrounding areas like South Ribble for example.

	Preston		131,900
	South Ribble		106,700	Area on the other side of the River Ribble from Preston. Includes; Walton Le Dale, Bamber Bridge, Lostock Hall, Farington, Leyland. Cotton and trucks.
	Blackpool		142,500	20 miles west of Preston. Reknowned holiday resort.
	Bolton		262,300	20 miles south east of Preston, large town similar background to Preston, grown mainly through cotton.
	Blackburn/Darwen		140,900	15 miles east of Preston, large former cotton town.
	Wigan Area		305,600	15 miles south of Preston, former coal mining and cotton town.
	Burnley		87,500	20 miles east, former cotton town, also coal mining.
	Lancaster		143,500	20 miles north, county town, castle, former port.
	Ribble Valley		53,960	North east of Preston, agricultural area; comprising; Longridge, Clitheroe, Whalley.
	Fylde		76,400	West of Preston including Kirkham, Lytham - St Annes.
	West Lancs		109,800	West of Preston, south of the river, Ormskirk and Burscough.
	Wyre		110,900	North west of Preston including Garstang, Fleetwood and Poulton Le Fylde.
	Chorley		104,100	7 miles south of Preston.
	North West		6,864,300
	England		51,092,000
	UK		60,975,200

 

2001 Census

	Preston		129,633
	South Ribble*		103,867	Area on the other side of the River Ribble from Preston. Includes; Walton Le Dale, Bamber Bridge, Lostock Hall, Farington, Leyland. Cotton and trucks.
	Blackpool		142,283	20 miles west of Preston. Reknowned holiday resort.
	Bolton		261,037	20 miles south east of Preston, large town similar background to Preston, grown mainly through cotton.
	Blackburn/Darwen		137,470	15 miles east of Preston, large former cotton town.
	Wigan Area		301,405	15 miles south of Preston, former coal mining and cotton town.
	Burnley		89,542	20 miles east, former cotton town, also coal mining.
	Lancaster		133,914	20 miles north, county town, castle, former port.
	Ribble Valley*		53,960	North east of Preston, agricultural area; comprising; Longridge, Clitheroe, Whalley.
	Fylde*		73,217	West of Preston including Kirkham, Lytham - St Annes.
	West Lancs*		108,378	West of Preston, south of the river, Ormskirk and Burscough.
	Wyre*		105,618	North west of Preston including Garstang, Fleetwood and Poulton Le Fylde.
	Chorley		100,449	7 miles south of Preston.
	North West		6,729,764
	England		49,138,831
	UK		58,789,194

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