Facts & figures about Herefordshire

Ethnicity

Key points

• Estimates suggest that 6% of Herefordshire’s resident population (10,600 people) is from an ethnic group other than ‘white British’, which is very low compared to both England and the West Midlands region overall (17% & 18%, respectively).
• The county’s BAME (Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic) population increased by 141% between 2001 and 2009, compared to a growth of 2% in its total population.
• The BAME population has a younger age profile than the county as a whole: almost half of all BAME residents are aged 16-44, compared to just a third of the whole population – although both have similar proportions of under 16s.
• Increasing numbers of births are to mothers born outside the UK (200 in 2009 – 13% of all births, up from 100 in 2003 – 6% of total).  Since 2006 the non-UK born mothers have mainly come from Poland (31%) or other Eastern European countries (14%).  

This page provides a summary of the key points about the population of ethnic minority groups in Herefordshire. An article containing further information can be downloaded from the resource box below.

ONS  publishes 'experimental' estimates of the population of local authorities by ethnic group. The current estimates, published in May 2011, suggest that 6% of Herefordshire's population in 2009 was from an ethnic group other than ‘white: British’ (10,600 people). The proportion is still very low compared to both England and the West Midlands region as a whole (17.2% and 17.6%, respectively), but reflects a growth of 141% in the BAME (Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic) population from 2001 compared to just 2% in the county’s total population. In England overall the BAME population grew by 40%, compared to a total population growth of 5%.

As can be seen from the table below, the largest BAME group in Herefordshire is ‘white: other’ (4,300), accounting for just over two fifths of the county’s BAME population, followed by ‘Asian or Asian British’ (2,000) and ‘mixed’ (1,400).  The ‘white: other’ group has had the largest increase in number (2,400 extra individuals since 2001) followed by ‘Asian or Asian British’ (1,600 extra since 2001).

Source: Experimental estimates by ethnic group, ONS. Crown Copyright 2011. Figs rounded to 100 so may not sum

The BAME population has a younger age profile than the county as a whole: almost half of all BAME residents are aged 16-44, compared to just a third of the whole population – although both have similar proportions of under 16s.

Note that these estimates are based on the resident population, meaning that people who come to Herefordshire from outside the UK for less than a year will not be included in the figures.  More information about seasonal and migrant workers in Herefordshire can be found in the economy section.

Information about research carried out with minority groups can be found in the research into minority groups page.

You may also be interested in the work of Herefordshire Council's Diversity Team.

 

Last updated: 26 January 2012