Dorset Council area has a lower birth rate than Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP), and England and Wales, but a higher death rate. This means that without migration into the area, the population would decline.
It has a smaller than average under 5's population but a higher than average population of over 65's. This means there is increasing pressure on adult and care services.
Projected growth shows that the over 65 population will grow by nearly 50% over the next 25 years. This means increasing pressure on services.
Interactive map tool that visualises Census 2021 data on different topics down to a local authority area and neighbourhood level.
This update will add population data about UK armed forces veterans, ethnic group, national identity, language, and religion from Census 2021 in England and Wales. This tool will be updated as more Census data are released.
How life has changed in Dorset: Census 2021
| Key facts | Key figure |
|---|---|
| Latest population of Dorset Council area | 379,578 |
| Latest population of all Dorset Council and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole | 779,770 |
| Latest population of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole | 400,192 |
| Total number of households in Dorset Council area - 2021 census | 169,261 |
| Population, birth and death statistics | Dorset Council | Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 birth rate per 1,000 | 6.9 | 9.1 | 10.3 |
| 2020 death rate per 1,000 | 13.1 | 11.7 | 10.2 |
| Percentage 0 to 4yr olds | 4.0 | 4.7 | 5.4 |
| Percentage 5 to 15yr olds | 11.2 | 11.6 | 13.1 |
| Percentage 16 to 64yr olds | 55.2 | 62.1 | 62.9 |
| Percentage of the population 65+ yrs olds | 29.6 | 21.6 | 18.6 |
|
Percentage (projected) growth in total population over next 25 years |
8.4 | 12.0 |
11.7 |
Source: Census 2021