Harrogate district population grows at half the national averageThe Harrogate district population has increased by almost 5,000 people since 2011, the latest census has revealed.
The government’s census survey, which happens every 10 years, gives a snapshot of the population at that time and is used to inform local and national government policy.
Census day was in March last year and the Office for National Statistics has collated the data and published the first set of results.
It reveals the Harrogate district population has increased by 3.1%, from 157,900 in 2011 to 162,700 in 2021.
This is lower than the overall increase for England (6.6%), where the population grew by nearly 3.5 million to 56,489,800.
Nearby areas like Selby and Leeds have seen their populations increase by 10.2% and 8.1%, respectively, while others such as Hambleton saw a smaller increase (1.8%) and Richmondshire saw a decrease of 4.4%.
The increase in population in the Harrogate district is lower than some may have expected considering the number of new homes built in Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough and Boroughbridge.
However many of the largest housing schemes included in Harrogate Borough Council’s Local Plan, such as 3,000 homes near Green Hammerton and a combined 1,500 homes on Otley Road in Harrogate, are yet to be built.
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The data also reveals that in the Harrogate district, 83,000 people are female and 79,700 are male.
A total of 34,000 people in the district are over the age of 65, which makes up over 20% of the total population.
Statistics on ethnicity, language and religion will be released later this year.
The Office for National Statistics’ deputy national statistician Pete Benton said:
“Today’s census statistics begin to paint a rich and detailed snapshot of the nation and how we were living during the pandemic. They show the population of England and Wales continued to grow across the decade, albeit at different rates across the regions.
“Ultimately, the full suite of census results, based on the information we all gave, will ensure decisions about how the billions of pounds we spend each year as a nation are made using the best possible evidence.
“This includes planning our emergency services, mental health care, school places, hospital beds, houses, roads, buses, trains, trams, GPs and dentists’ services.”
Pateley Bridge census support could save you £1,000People who have had difficulty filling in the census form need not panic. Help is at hand to save those struggling a potential £1,000 fine.
The census support centre run by Nidderdale Plus in Pateley Bridge can provide assistance to anybody living in the Harrogate district.
It is based in the Nidderdale Plus community hub in Station Square, King Street and will be open daily between 10am and 4pm for the rest of this week and on Saturday and bank holiday Monday from 10am until 1pm.
The Census 2021 forms were posted to millions of households in England, Northern Ireland and Wales.
Helen Flynn, executive director of Nidderdale Plus, told the Stray Ferret:
“The census support centre, with its specially-trained advisors Sandra Walker and Heather Blundell, has been very busy since census day on March 21.
“We are proud to be the fourth highest performing census support centre in the north-east, North Yorkshire and Cumbria region so we have been punching above our weight, as we have been helping people.
“Completing and submitting the census form is a legal requirement and failure to do it could result in a fine of £1,000.”
People can walk in to the hub to get help with filling in their form.
Alternatively, they can call 01423 714953 for help and advice over the phone.
Filling in the form, which takes about 10 minutes, can be done on paper, smartphone, tablet or computer.
For those unfamiliar with technology, assistance can be provided with filling out the form online and submitting it.
The census helps local and national government to obtain a snapshot of the entire population at one point in time.
This helps in future planning for services such as healthcare, education and transport.
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Census facts and figures
This year marks the 22nd census.
The first census was held in Great Britain in March 1801.
It recorded the combined population of England, Wales and Scotland at 10.9 million, living in 1.8 million houses.
It has been held every 10 years, except for 1941, when it did not take place because of World War II.
By the 2011 Census, the UK population – which also includes Northern Ireland – had grown to 63 million, of which 32 million were female and 31 million were male.
Census will provide an ‘everlasting picture of North Yorkshire during pandemic’North Yorkshire residents are being urged to complete their census forms this weekend.
The census survey, which happens every 10 years, gives a snapshot of the population at that time and is used to inform local and national government policy.
Households across the county should have received an invitation to take part in the 2021 version, which includes a new question for armed forces veterans and two voluntary questions about gender identity and sexual orientation.
Data from the census will be available in 2022 but no personal data will be released for 100 years.
Sunday is census day and people are being urged to complete the survey, which takes about 20 minutes, as soon as possible after then although it can be done now.
County council leader Carl Les said:
“Everyone benefits from the census. It informs decisions nationally and locally on vital services and issues.
“Ultimately, it ensures millions of pounds are invested in emergency services, mental health care, school places, hospital beds, houses, roads, GPs’ and dentists’ services based on the information people give.
“That’s why it is important to complete the census – to ensure an accurate picture exists to help us to direct our funds and services to the right places.”
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Ruth Dyble, census engagement manager at the Office for National Statistics, said the census would provide “an everlasting picture of North Yorkshire during a pandemic”. She added:
“It’s a great thing to do as a family and quick and easy to complete. I would encourage everyone to make sure their voice is heard and leave a record for future generations.”