Business Intelligence Statistical Bulletin
January 2016
Mid-2014 Population Estimates
Headlines

Latest estimates show Wakefield district’s population is now 331,379 people.

The population has grown 0.5% over the past year, and by 4.2% over the past 10 years.

In 2014, 18% of the population were aged 65 and over, compared to just 13% in 1981.

Population change last year comprised 4,055 births, 2,981 deaths and 593 more people
arriving to live in the district than leaving.

South Elmsall and South Kirkby ward has the largest population and Knottingley ward
has the smallest population. Pontefract South ward has the highest proportion of the
population aged 65 and over (23%).

Altofts and Whitwood ward has seen the largest increase in population over the last
eight years – up 12%.
About this briefing
This bulletin has been produced by the Performance and Improvement Service at Wakefield
Council. It is part of a series that summarise statistical releases from government departments
and other agencies.
More details are available from [email protected], or telephone 01924 305368
Who is the briefing for?
 People with an interest in the size and age profile of the local population. This should include
most Council managers who plan for services delivered to people.
 Policy officers and performance analysts.
 Others with an interest in Wakefield’s local population.
2.0 Summary of Statistical Release
2.1 The Mid-2014 population estimates show Wakefield district’s population is now 331,379
people. This is an increase of 1,671 people (0.5%) compared to mid-2013, and an increase
of 13,342 people (4.2%) compared to 10 years ago (mid-2004).
2.2 The age profile of today’s population is markedly older than it was 30 years ago (Figure 1).
This reflects the ageing of the 1960’s baby boom generation and increasing life expectancy.
Age
85+
80 - 84
75 - 79
70 - 74
65 - 69
60 - 64
55 - 59
50 - 54
45 - 49
40 - 44
35 - 39
30 - 34
25 - 29
20 - 24
15 - 19
10 - 14
5-9
0- 4
15,000
Age
85+
80 - 84
75 - 79
70 - 74
65 - 69
60 - 64
55 - 59
50 - 54
45 - 49
40 - 44
35 - 39
30 - 34
25 - 29
20 - 24
15 - 19
10 - 14
5-9
0- 4
1981
male
5,000
female
people
5,000
15,000
2014
15,000
male
female
5,000
5,000
people
15,000
Figure 1 Population age profile.
2.3 The mid-2014 estimates for Wakefield show 7,164 people aged 85 and over (2,328 men and
4,836 women), compared to just 1,120 people in 1981. In 2014, 18% of the population were
aged 65 and over (Table 1), compared to just 13% in 1981.
Age
People
% of population
0 to 18
73,100
22
19 to 44
106,800
32
45 to 64
90,500
27
65 and over
60,900
18
Table 1 Size of population by broad age band.
2.4 In 2001, the number of births had fallen to a point where they were exceeded by deaths, and
only net in-migration stopped the population from contracting (Figure 2). Births have
increased again since then, and the number deaths has been declining gradually. There
was a drop in international in-migration during the economic downturn.
2.5 Between the mid-2013 and mid-2014, net internal migration was +40 people (9,552 people
leaving; 9592 people arriving), while estimated net international migration was +553 people
(831 people leaving; 1,384 people arriving). Population change last year also comprised
4,055 births and 2,981 deaths.
5,000
births
4,000
people
3,000
deaths
2,000
net migration
1,000
0
-1,000
2013
2011
2009
2007
2005
2003
2001
1999
1997
1995
1993
-2,000
Figure 2 Components of population change.
2.6 South Elmsall and South Kirkby ward has the largest population and Knottingley ward has
the smallest population (Table 2). Pontefract South ward has the highest proportion of the
population aged 65 and over (23%), while Wakefield East ward has the lowest proportion
aged 65 and over (13%).
2.7 Altofts and Whitwood ward has seen the largest increase in population over the last eight
years – up 12%. This is a reflection of the amount of recent housebuilding in this ward.
Wakefield East and Wakefield North populations both increased by 9%.
Ward Name
Ackworth, North Elmsall and Upton
Airedale and Ferry Fryston
Altofts and Whitwood
Castleford Central and Glasshoughton
Crofton, Ryhill and Walton
Featherstone
Hemsworth
Horbury and South Ossett
Knottingley
Normanton
Ossett
Pontefract North
Pontefract South
South Elmsall and South Kirkby
Stanley and Outwood East
Wakefield East
Wakefield North
Wakefield Rural
Wakefield South
Wakefield West
Wrenthorpe and Outwood West
People
16,245
15,301
16,829
15,771
15,057
16,304
15,514
15,024
13,854
16,547
16,426
16,075
15,041
17,772
15,716
16,374
16,045
17,230
13,917
15,587
14,750
% of population
aged 65 and over
20
17
17
17
21
19
19
21
18
16
20
17
23
17
16
13
15
20
21
17
22
Table 2 Mid-2014 ward populations.
3.0 Background Notes
3.1 Mid-year population estimates for 2014 for local authorities within England and Wales were
published on 25 June 2015. Estimates for small-areas were published 25 November 2015.
3.2 Population estimates are derived by taking the population measured in the most recent
census; ageing this on; then adjusting for births, deaths, international migration and internal
migration (i.e. migration within the UK).
3.3 The effects of international migration are estimated using the International Passenger
Survey. The effects of internal migration are estimated using a combination of the Patient
Register; the NHS Central Register; and data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency;