Reading initial census information #rdg

Here is the Census briefing which the Council sent out recently. Hopefully this information will enable us to better understand our residents and meet their needs, for example by providing enough local school places.

"Total Population - Reading

The 2011 Census estimates the population of Reading at 155,700. This a 9% increase on the 2001 census figure of 143,096 and a 2% bigger change than the one between 1991 and 2001 when there was 7.1% increase in the Reading population.

1,300 additional people were identified as born outside the UK staying or intending to stay in the UK for a period of three months or more but less than twelve months.

What has caused the increase in population?

There are a number of reasons why the population has increased:

1. The Census coverage is better this time and picked up more people. In Reading the response rate increased from 93% in 2001 to 95% in 2011.

2. The Office of National Statistics has used a better method for calculating the estimate.

3. More children are being born evidenced by the increase in the Reading 0-14 age group.

4. Mortality rates have decreased

5. People have into moved to the area.

We will understand more about this when the more detailed data is released later in the year.

How does the 2011 Census estimate compare to other estimates?

Below is a comparisons between the 2011 Census population estimates, the 2010 mid-year estimates (the latest release prior to the Census) and the 2012 Sub National Population Projections (SNPP) used in the 2012/13 Settlement.

It must be noted that the 2011 Census figure is derived from a count on a single day (27^th March 2011), the 2010 data is a mid-year resident population estimate based on the 2001 Census figure and the 2012 data is a projection with its starting point as 2008 mid-year data (also based on the 2001 census figure).

2011 Census	2010 Mid Year Estimate	2012 Sub-National Population Projection
155,700	154,234	156,176

The Reading Census estimate is 0.3% lower than the 2012 SNPP. Many other local authorities have seen considerably bigger changes which may impact on future settlements.

Population by Age

Population	Reading 2011	Reading 2001	Reading % change 2001 - 2011	Reading % change 1991- 2002
All Ages	155,700	144,400	8.8	7.1
0-14	28,500	25,100	13.5	0.8
15-19	9,800	9,000	8.8	3.4
20-29	29,700	29,700	0	-3.6
30-59	63,500	57,300	10.8	23.0
60-74	15,500	14,300	8.3	-7.7
75+	8,700	8,800	-1.2	4.8

There have been significant increases in the 0-19 age groups, particularly the 0-14s. The 30-59 age group whilst increasing shows a slower rate of change than that over the previous 10 years. The 60-74 age group has increased by 8% compared to a decrease of 8% in 2001. There has been a slight decrease in the 75+ age group.

In broad terms Reading has a higher than England (and the South East) average of its population in the 0-4, 20-39 year age bands and lower than average in the 10-14 and 45+ age bands.

Households

The total Households is estimated at 62,900, an 8% increase since 2001.

Is the Census estimate a good one?

As a result of criticism of the 2001 Census coverage, the 2011 Census methodology was improved to improve response rates and the quality of the estimation process.

The 2011 Census achieved its overall target response rate of 94 per cent of the usually resident population of England and Wales, and over 80 per cent in all local and unitary authorities. The population estimate for England and Wales is estimated with 95 per cent confidence to be accurate to within +/- 85,000 (0.15 per cent). There was a 95% response rate for Reading.

Following Census Day itself a programme of measures to assess coverage and make adjustments was undertaken and all the census population estimates were quality assured.

Our plans for rolling out the results

We have a Census 2011 page on the website giving the link to the ONS Census page. We will keep this updated with new information. 2011 Census Statistics | Reading Borough Council

The Borough and Ward data will be released from February 2013 to June 2013 after which we will produce Borough and Ward profiles and supplementary reports.