Population Growth

Herefordshire’s population grew by almost one percent between June 2001 and June last year – treble the national average growth rate.

An increase of 0.9 per cent during this period means there are an extra 1,600 people living in the county – bringing the total population to 176,500.

Nationally during this same period the population rose from 59 million to 59.2 million – an increase of 0.3 per cent.

However, the age group which has seen the biggest growth in Herefordshire is among those who are in their 80s and over. This group has seen an increase of 400 – representing a percentage growth rate of 4.5%.

The figures have been revealed in the latest figures from the Office for National statistics – they publish the figures annually, but they’re always a year behind.

“1,600 new babies born to Herefordshire mothers between June 2001 and June 2002. Over the same twelve months, 1,900 deaths occurred.

"Therefore, following the trend of recent years, there were 300 more deaths than births,” said Isobel Gibson, Herefordshire Council’s Principal Research Officer.

“The increase in Herefordshire’s population is largely due to 1,300 more people moving into the County than moved out. This increase happened in a year when the level of house building completions was at its lowest for more than a decade; just under 500 new dwellings were constructed between April 2001 and April 2002.”

She added that the 2002 estimate also incorporates an adjustment of 600 people.

“The new estimates for Herefordshire reflect the ageing population nationally.”

Compared with 2001, Herefordshire had 200 more children and teenagers, an increase of less than half of 1%.

The number of young adults between 20 and 44 dropped by 300 - or 0.6%. Students who “belong” to Herefordshire but live away from home during term time are not included in the Herefordshire population estimates as it is the Office of National Statistics’ practice to count students as part of the population at their place of study.

The older working age population - those aged between 45 and 64 - increased by 900, or 1.9%, while the young retired age group – 65 to 79 year olds - was augmented by 400 more residents, an increase of 1.6%.