The first set of data from Census 2021 has been released:

Luton:

• The population size has increased by 10.9%, from around 203,200 in 2011 to 225,300 in 2021. This is higher than the overall increase for England (6.6%), where the population grew by nearly 3.5 million to 56,489,800.
• At 10.9%, Luton's population increase is higher than the increase for the East of England (8.3%).
• In 2021, Luton ranked 78th for total population out of 309 local authority areas in England, moving up seven places in a decade.
• As of 2021, Luton is the most densely populated of the East of England's 45 local authority areas, with around 37 people living on each football pitch-sized area of land.
• There has been an increase of 11% in people aged 65 years and over, an increase of 10.6% in people aged 15-64 years, and an increase of 12.2% in children aged under 15 years in Luton.

Central Bedfordshire:

• The population size has increased by 15.7% from around 254,400 in 2011 to 294,200 in 2021. This is higher than the overall increase for England (6.6%), where the population grew by nearly 3.5 million to 56,489,800.
• At 15.7%, Central Bedfordshire's population increase is higher than the increase for the East of England (8.3%).
• In 2021, Central Bedfordshire ranked 48th for total population out of 309 local authority areas in England, moving up 11 places in a decade.
• As of 2021, Central Bedfordshire is the 21st least densely populated of the East of England's 45 local authority areas, with around three people living on each football pitch-sized area of land.
• There has been an increase of 32.6% in people aged 65 years and over, an increase of 11.5% in people aged 15-64 years, and an increase of 16.7% in children aged under 15 years in Central Bedfordshire.

Bedford:

• The population size has increased by 17.7% from around 157,500 in 2011 to 185,300 in 2021. This is higher than the overall increase for England (6.6%), where the population grew by nearly 3.5 millions to 56,489,800.
• At 17.7%, Bedford's population increase is higher than the increase for the East of England (8.3%).
• In 2021, Bedford ranked 103rd for total population out of 309 local authority areas in England, moving up 16 places in a decade.
• As of 2021, Bedford is the 19th Least densely populated of the East of England's 45 local authority areas, with around three people living on each football pitch-sized area of land.
• There has been an increase of 25.5% in people aged 65 years and over, an increase of 15.7% in people aged 15-64 years, and an increase of 18.6% in children aged under 15 years in Bedford.