Census reveals jump in Shropshire population

Data already released by officials behind the once-a-decade study of life in Britain shows that the county's population rose by more than 31,000 people to 472,770 in 2011.

That figure was made up from 306,129 people in the Shropshire Council area, and 166,641 in Telford & Wrekin.

Now latest figures reveal more details about the religious beliefs, ethnicity, education and the numbers of unpaid carers in the area.

According to the census, the average age for people in Shropshire is 44, and 38 in Telford & Wrekin.

The median average age for England and Wales was 39, making Telford more youthful than the national average.

The 2011 Census shows 9.5 per cent, or 29,087 residents, of Shropshire's population is aged over 75, compared to 10.7 per cent, or 17,834 residents, in Telford & Wrekin.

Shropshire also has an above average share of unpaid carers, the study reveals. In 2011, 34,260 Shropshire residents (11.2 per cent of the county population) provided some unpaid care for an ill or disabled person.

In Telford & Wrekin 10.8 per cent of people, or 17,944 residents, were doing the same, while the West Midlands regional average was 11 per cent.

Christianity remains the religion with the most followers in the county.

In Shropshire, 68.7 per cent of people identified themselves as Christian, while 0.3 per cent said they were Muslim.

In Telford & Wrekin, 61.7 per cent said they were Christian, while 1.8 per cent were Muslim.

The number of over 16s with no recognised qualifications in Shropshire was 56,943, or 22.5 per cent of adults, compared to 32,612, or 24.6 per cent, in Telford & Wrekin.

Guy Goodwin, director of census for the Office of National Statistics, said: "These statistics paint a picture of society and help us all plan for the future using accurate information at a local level."