Population and census

What is the population of Kent?

Kent's population (excluding Medway) is currently estimated to be 1,427,400 according to the mid-2010 population estimates produced by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).  More information on the current and past population of Kent and areas within Kent is available from our Mid Year Population Estimates bulletins.

What has caused Kent's population growth?

There are two components of population change of an area. Natural change which is the number births and deaths, and migration.

Year on year Kent has seen more births than deaths and more people moving in to Kent than leaving. The number of deaths in Kent has been falling steadily over recent years due to people living longer. The result has been steady population growth in the county.

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. The latest population forecasts for Kent and districts within Kent show how we expect the population to look in 2026. 

What are the characteristics of Kent residents?

Area Profiles for wards, parishes, electoral divisions and districts provide a whole range of information on the characteristics of Kent's residents using the most up to date information available.

Data to illustrate how diverse Kent's population is can be accessed via the Equalities and Diversity web pages.  In this section you will find information on the age, gender, ethnicity, religion and disability of Kent residents.  

Data on the family structure of Kent households and how it has changed over the last decade and how it is expected to change in the future, along with how many workless households there are.

What is the census?

The national census is a detailed national survey undertaken by the Office for National Statistics. It is taken every 10 years which provides a snap shot of the population and its many characteristics.  The last national census was taken on 27 March 2011. However information from the 2011 Census will not be available until Autumn 2012.  

For some detailed demographic information we still need to look to information from the 2001 Census despite it being a ten years old. A number of themed 2001 Census bulletins are available providing information on housing, employment, travel to work patterns and lifestyle of Kent's residents.

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Contact us

Research & Evaluation
Kent County Council
Invicta House
County Hall
Maidstone
Kent ME14 1XX

research
@kent.gov.uk

01622 221632