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We use two sources of population information, both of which are
provided by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). One is the
Census, which is taken every 10 years, and the other is the annual
Mid Year Population Estimate.
What is the difference between the Census and a population
estimate?
The Census is a detailed national survey which provides a snap
shot of the population and its many characteristics. The results
reveal our ethnicity, religion, health and the type of houses in
which we live, as well as the population total.
A population estimate is a calculated figure based on the
population total from the Census. By allowing for the number of
births and deaths plus the number of people migrating to and from
the area each year, the ONS can provide us with an annual estimate
of the population by age and gender, and more recently,
ethnicity.
What is the population of Kent?
The most recent population data for Kent comes from the 2007 Mid
Year Population Estimates produced by ONS, showing a total of
1,394,700 people. (1,646,900 if you include Medway Unitary
Authority). More information on the current population of Kent and
areas within Kent can be found in the following documents:
How has the population of Kent changed over the last 15
years?
To see how Kent's population has changed over time,
view a time-series of Kent's population from 1992-2007. The
population of an area changes as a result of two things - natural
change (births and deaths) and migration. More information on the
components of population change can be found via the following
links:
How many households are there in Kent?
A household is a collective term used to describe a group of
people living together. As well as describing a parent(s) living
with a child(ren), a household can also describe a person living
alone or a group of students for example. Therefore there could be
more than one household living within a single dwelling.
What are the characteristics of Kent residents?
Although the 2001 Census may be considered relatively old now,
the Census is the main data source that provides us with detailed
characteristics about the population. However, the Office for
National Statistics now release
ethnicity
estimates by age and gender annually. More information on the
Census, including bulletins on a number of topics (ethnicity,
housing, employment, lifestyle and travel to work patterns) and
social profiles of areas in Kent, can be found on our
Census data pages.
How is the population of Kent going to change in the
future?
It is important to consider how the Kent population is going to
change in the future in order to plan services. We forecast how the
population is likely to change in the county in the future based on
the amount of housing planned to be built. View the
latest
forecasts for Kent and Local Authority Districts within
Kent. |