Shropshire's population hits record 306,000
Shropshire's population has swollen to a record-breaking 306,100 people, new figures have revealed.
Shropshire's population has swollen to a record-breaking 306,100 people, new figures have revealed.
According to the results of last year's census, the county's population grew by 22,800 – or eight per cent – in just 10 years.
The rising population is also reflected in Telford & Wrekin, which has seen its population numbers rise by 8,000 – or five per cent – to stand at 166,600.
When the 2001 census was taken the borough's population was 158,600.
However, Telford & Wrekin Council disputes the figures and estimates its population to be much higher, at 171,700.
The two authorities' growth is reflected in the figures for England and Wales, which now stands at a new record of 56.1 million, a rise of eight per cent.
The figures also show Shropshire's population is getting older, with 63,300 people – or about 21 per cent – now aged over 65.
This is a rise of 24 per cent and is equal to one in five of the population – higher than the national rate of one out of every six people being aged over 65.
But in Telford 24,100 people are aged over 65 – about 14 per cent of the population. This reflects the town as a place of business rather than retirement.
Meanwhile, Shropshire has 8,400 people aged over 85, compared to 2,700 in Telford. The figures also show there are 151,000 males in the county, compared to 154,500 females.
And there are 15,700 children aged under four in Shropshire, and 11,300 in Telford. The average age of the UK population now stands at 39, with 17,800 people aged between 35 and 39 in Shropshire and 12,900 in Telford.
Shropshire also has 129,700 households, a rise of about 12,000 in 10 years, an increase of 11 per cent.
Councillor Malcolm Price, Shropshire Council's Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, said: "The Census figures are instrumental in assuring our public services are allocated the correct amount of money according to the population, as well as having massive implications for the future planning of the county."
Telford & Wrekin Council said it was studying the census figures because the official size of an area's population is reflected in the funding it receives from central government.