Census information
A nationwide census is completed, by the Office for National Statistics, every 10 years. It counts all people and households throughout the country.
The latest census took place on Sunday 21 March 2021. You can find out more on the government's census website.
The information the census provides allows central and local government, health authorities and many other organisations to target their resources more effectively and to plan housing, education, health and transport services for years to come.
Census results
Detailed information from the 2011 Census is now available via Data North Yorkshire. Information from older censuses including 1981 and 1991 are available.
Historic census information
Although censuses have been taken in England and Wales every ten years since 1801, in most cases it is only since 1841 that details about individual households have been recorded. This information is closed to researchers for 100 years; the 1911 census being the most recent that can be made available at present.
The 1841 to 1901 census returns are available to view on microfilm at several libraries around the county. The county record office holds microfilm copies of the census details from the 1851 census for most parts of North Yorkshire. In addition, the office also holds some of the exceptional census returns from before 1841. These contain names of householders.
North Yorkshire population
North Yorkshire has a population of around 604,900 (ONS mid-2016 population estimate). Harrogate has around 75,070 residents and Scarborough around 52,100.
The population of the county has grown in recent years, partly by indigenous growth and partly by inward migration. It has a healthy economy with low unemployment and a preponderance of small to medium sized businesses.
Population estimates
We use Office for National Statistics information to provide population estimates for each ward and parish within the county. These figures provide a useful indicator of population change between census years. Population estimates data and related information is available from Data North Yorkshire.
Economic information and analysis
We have links with a range of organisations holding relevant data on the North Yorkshire economy. We provide reports and information on economic statistics.
You can find economic data for North Yorkshire from the Data North Yorkshire website.
You can also see the most recent figures for unemployment claimants in North Yorkshire.