Census of Leeds 2001

2001 Census – first results for Leeds 
First results from the 2001 census were released on 30 September 2002. These are figures for total population and age structure on census night, 29 April 2001. Results are available for local and health authority areas, regions and the country as a whole.

The data for Leeds has been summarised in a document 2001 census of population - Leeds - the Big Picture. The information is arranged by key theme and the document also contains a series of tables that show how Leeds ranks within the region.

The 2002 census is the first census to incorporate in its results estimates of under-enumeration (people who do not complete census forms) and to aim to count students at their term-time addresses. The results are consistent with the definition of the population used in the annual mid year population estimates, which play an important part in resource allocation. They will largely determine the mid 2001 estimates, to be issued on 10 October. However, minor changes to the published figures are possible as a consequence of further quality checks.

The 2001 census population of Leeds was 715404, and indicates that, contrary to previous estimates, the population has not grown in the last decade. The census figure is 10700 or 1.5 per cent lower than the last estimate of 726100 for mid 2000.

Leeds is not alone in finding its population to be lower than previously thought. For England and Wales as a whole, the census population is 900000 below the 2000 mid year estimate. The populations of most local authorities – especially the cities and large towns – have been revised down. In West Yorkshire, reductions range from 0.7 per cent in Calderdale to 3.8 per cent in Bradford, and in comparable provincial cities, from 3.2 per cent in Sheffield to 10.6 per cent in Manchester.

The reasons for past over-estimation are not yet completely clear, but are related to the difficulties of keeping track of migration. It is thought that a large element of the problem stems from under-estimation of migration from the country (especially by young men), but errors in the 1991 base are also a factor. As a consequence, the complete series of mid year estimates back to 1981 is to be re-calculated to bring them into line with the 2001 figures.

These impending changes make it difficult to draw historical comparisons. In Leeds, net population change 1991-2001 currently stands at –2200, but downward revision of the 1991 total will certainly add to this loss. Given that there was a natural increase (a surplus of births over deaths) of around 11000 in the decade, a net migration loss of 15000 or more is likely to emerge.

The age-sex structure of the census population also differs from that of the 2000 Estimate. A 5 year age-sex breakdown of the census population is at the end of this note, but a comparison with the 2000 estimate by broad age band is given below

The main feature of this comparison is the drop of 11700 (7 per cent) in the population aged 30-44, almost entirely among males. This reduction appears to be related to past over-estimation of the male population in slightly younger age bands.

The published results also give information on response rates. Nationally, the response rate – defined as the proportion of the population from whom a completed Census form was received – was 94 per cent. The equivalent Leeds figure was 92 per cent. The lowest response rates were for young people up to the age of 20.

Further information on results and the conduct of the census is available on the government web site. This is most easily accessed from the headline feature on the National Statistics website