The population of Mendip is growing at a slower rate than the national average, according to data from the 2021 census which was released today (June 28). And the population is getting older.

The district's population has grown from 109,279 in 2011, to 116,100 in 2021 – an increase of 6.2 per cent. The increase across England and Wales, is 6.3 per cent, rising from 56.1m people in 2011 to 59.6m in 2021.

The proportion of males and females has remained almost completely unchanged, with just women making up just over 51 per cent and men just less than 49 per cent. This is in line with the national average.

The statistics also show that the population of Mendip is getting older – and among the oldest in the country. In 2011 around 19.5 percent of the population was over 65, but in 2011 this had risen to 23.8% (almost double the over 65 population of London, which is 11.9 percent). The average in England is 18.4 per cent of the population, and in the South West 22.3 per cent.

National Results

Across the nation the population has increased by 3.5 million people since 2011 - a 6.3 per cent increase.

But that signals a slower rate of growth, with the last census showing a record 7.1 per cent increase from 2001.

The results published today also show that 18.6 per cent of the population is now aged 65 years and over - the highest recorded proportion for England and Wales.

ONS figures also show that 51.0 per cent of the population of England and Wales is female which is a slight rise from 50.8 in 2011.

A record 89 per cent of responses to the census were completed online - with 20 million households surveyed in total.

Added to census figures for Northern Ireland and a 2020 estimate of the Scottish population, there are now 66,966,400 people in the UK.