The 2021 Census was conducted in March 2021 and its findings are gradually being shared by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Censuses take place every ten years and give us a picture of who lives in the UK, and what life is like for them.
The ONS has gathered the data to create an ‘area profile’ of Southwark and here are some of its findings.
1. Population growth is slowing
There are 307,600 people living in Southwark, compared to 288,300 ten years ago – that’s a 19,300 and 6.3 per cent increase.
But between 2001 and 2011, there was a staggering 31,600 person increase, up by 12.3 per cent, from 256,700 to 288,300.
This is still higher than population growth nationally (6.6 per cent), but dwarfed by increases in neighbouring boroughs Tower Hamlets (22.1 per cent) and the City (16.6 per cent).
2. We are young
The most prevalent age range in Southwark is 25 to 29, making up 12.4 per cent of residents compared to just 6.6 per cent nationally.
This was approximately the same as it was ten years ago when they made up roughly 12 per cent of Southwark’s residents.
65s and over made up 8.4 per cent of the population in 2021, roughly the same as in 2011 when a figure of 8 per cent was recorded.
Five arches to become available to rent in Camberwell as the demand for industrial space grows
3. There are still more women than men
51.6 per cent (158,722 individuals) of the population is female compared to 48.4 per cent (148,878 individuals) who are male.
This corresponds very closely to the national picture, which shows the UK has 51 per cent female and 49 per cent male inhabitants.
In 2011, 49.5 per cent of the population was male compared to the 50.5 per cent that was female.
4. We’re well-travelled
A staggering 40.7 per cent of the population was not born in the UK – that’s compared to just 17.4 per cent nationally.
Just 59.3 per cent of the population was born on UK shores, compared to 82.6 per cent nationally.
5. More people are identifying as multi-ethnic
Fewer people identified as ethnically black or white but there was an increase in multi-ethnic identities and ‘other’ ethnic groups.
In 2011, 54 per cent of people identified as white but this is now down to 51.4 per cent.
Likewise, in 2011, 27 per cent of people identified as black, African, Caribbean or black British – but that is now down to 25.1 per cent.
Conversley, the number of people identifying as being from mixed or multiple ethnic groups rose from 6 per cent in 2011 to 7.2 per cent in 2021.
There are also more people ticking the box for ‘other’ ethnic groups – up from 3 per cent in 2011 to 6.3 per cent in 2021.
Man who built a house in a skip is receiving a warm welcome from his new neighbours in Bermondsey
6. Atheists are everywhere
Fewer people are subscribing to the major religions, with a staggering 36.4 per cent stating they had no religion in 2021.
This is a significant increase from 2011, when just 29 per cent of people stated they were not religious.
Christianity is declining noticeably, with believers down from 53 per cent in 2011 to 43 per cent in 2021.
Buddhism (1 per cent), Hinduism (1.1 per cent) and Islam (9.6 per cent) all stayed roughly the same compared to 2021.
7. We’re high achievers
Compared to the general population, Southwark has a higher proportion of people at the top echelons of their profession.
However, there are fewer small business owners compared to in the rest of country, as well as more students and long-term unemployed.
8. Staying single
60 per cent of residents have never married or been in a civil partnership – that’s way over the 38 per cent national figure.
Only 27 per cent are married or in a civil partnership, compared to 44.7 per cent nationally.
There are also fewer widows and widowers – making up just 2.9 per cent of the population compared to 6.1 per cent across the UK.
9. People are living alone
Southwark residents are more likely to live on their own – 33.1 per cent of people compared to 30.1 per cent nationally.
Across the borough, there are also fewer people living in multi-occupant properties compared to the rest of the country.
10. Deprivation is still a problem
32 per cent of households are deprived in some way – very close to the 33.5 per cent national figure.
A household can be described as deprived for any number of reasons, including long-term poor health, unemployment, overcrowding or lack of education.
Homelessness: 2,784 children are stranded in temporary accommodation in Southwark