Census 2021: First results show Gateshead’s population has shrunk over past decade

The first results of the 2021 census are in – and they show Gateshead has seen its population shrink over the last decade.

The census takes place every 10 years, with every household in the UK required to take part.

The latest snapshot of England and Wales was captured on March 21 2021.

Now the first results have been released – and there’s been a fall in the number of people living in Gateshead.

On census day, 196,200 people were living in the area – down 2% from 200,214 in 2011, when the last census was carried out.

This also means the population density has fallen to 1,378 usual residents per square kilometre, down from 1,407 in 2011.

The census is crucial for the UK’s statisticians to understand how our population is changing, and plays a vital role in how our public services and government operate.

It shows the balance of men and women in the area has changed – Gateshead’s population is now 49% male and 51% female, meaning there is now a slightly higher proportion of men in the area than 10 years ago.

In 2011, people living in Gateshead were 48.9% male and 51.1% female.

It also shows the area is aging – a decade ago the population was made up of 11.1% under-10s and 17.6% over-65s, but this had changed to 10.8% and 20.3% respectively by 2021.

Across England and Wales, the total population grew 6.3% over the past decade, from 56,075,912 in 2011 to 59,597,300 last year.

This included a 1.9% increase in the North East, where the population rose to 2,647,100 from 2,596,886 in 2011.

There were 24.7 million households in England and Wales on census day 2021, up from 23.4 million in 2011, with an average of 2.4 people in each household – the same as in 2011.

Historic populations of Gateshead:

1981: 210,9341991: 199,5882001: 191,1512011: 200,2142021: 196,200

Historic populations of the North East:

1981: 2,595,6691991: 2,543,5692001: 2,515,4452011: 2,596,8862021: 2,647,100