Details of the population of Bristol, population estimates and population by Equalities Group.
Overview
An overview of the population living in the Bristol Local Authority area is available in the report:
pdf The Population of Bristol, December 2024(8.67 MB)
The report paints a picture of the population of Bristol and brings together statistics on the current population, recent trends in population and migration and future projections.
Some facts about Bristol's population:
- The population of Bristol is estimated to be 483,000 (mid-2023)
- Bristol is one of the 11 UK Core Cities and the 8th largest city in England and Wales outside of London
- Over the last decade (2013-2023), Bristol's population grew by an estimated 44,000 people - a 10.0% increase. England and Wales grew by 6.8%
- Bristol was the second fastest growing of all the Core Cities in England and Wales after Manchester
- There are now more than 287 different ethnic groups in the city, more than 185 countries of birth represented, at least 45 religions and more than 90 languages spoken by people living in Bristol
- In 2022/23 there were almost 71,000 students registered at the two Bristol universities
Population estimates
Mid-2023 population estimates were published by the Office for National Statistics on 15 July 2024. The population of Bristol is estimated to be 483,000 people.
Find more information in the following note and table:
- pdf mid-2023 Population Estimates Note(325 KB)
- spreadsheet mid-2023 Population Estimates by age and sex(83 KB)
- spreadsheet mid-2023 Population Estimates by age and sex(23 KB)
Population estimates for small geographies
Mid-2022 population estimates are available by age and sex for a selection of small geographies. Ward and 2021 Lower Layer Super Output Area estimates:
- pdf Ward Mid-2022 population estimates by broad age band(161 KB)
- spreadsheet Ward Mid-2022 population estimates by broad age band(21 KB)
- pdf LSOA21 Mid-2022 population estimates by broad age band(867 KB)
- spreadsheet LSOA21 Mid-2022 population estimates by broad age band(37 KB)
ONS plan to publish Mid-2023 estimates for wards and LSOAs in Summer 2025.
Census 2021 results
Census results for Bristol are presented in two new dashboards which can be found on our Census 2021 page.
Population by Equalities Group
Population profiles by equalities group show the differences between population groups in Bristol.
The new interactive Equalities Dashboard presents detailed results from Census 2021 by equalities group. Each equalities group is available for a selection of age groups.
Each profile compares data on:
- ethnicity
- religion
- health and disability
- economic activity
- language
- occupation and industry
- housing type, tenure and size
- household composition
The dashboard also presents equalities profiles by ward.
In addition to the dashboard, the following Census 2021 Equalities Profile reports are available.
- pdf Population Profile: Ethnic Group(3.44 MB)
- pdf Population Profile: Religion(2.43 MB)
- pdf Population Profile: Disabled population(1.68 MB)
- pdf Population Profile: Sexual orientation(1.20 MB)
- pdf Population Profile: Trans population(789 KB)
- pdf Population Profile: Somali population(1.19 MB)
- pdf Population Profile: Older people(2.27 MB)
Equalities statistics
The pdf Equalities Statistics May 2025(382 KB) guide outlines the main sources of equalities statistics for Bristol, including information on:
- age
- sex
- ethnic group
- religion
- disability
- sexual orientation
- gender identity
- legal partnership status
Population projections
The latest population projections for the Bristol local authority area are the Office for National Statistics (ONS) 2022: based population projections:
- pdf 2022: based Population Projections Briefing Note(388 KB)
- spreadsheet 2022: based Population Projections by age(21 KB)
Uncertainty in population projections data
Subnational population projections are not forecasts and do not attempt to predict potential changes in international migration.
There is uncertainty over future directions and levels of international migration.
Projected population change is the result of assumptions about future births, deaths and migration. For each local authority in England, ONS collect data on components of change to project these trends forward.
The 2022-based subnational projections use data from 2018 to 2022. ONS project these data forward for 25 years and use the national population projections for England to constrain the projections.
Demographic behaviour used to develop assumptions for projections is inherently uncertain and so projections become increasingly uncertain the further they are carried forward.
This is particularly so for smaller geographical areas, such as Local Authorities, and detailed age and sex breakdowns.
The data used for the subnational projections may not necessarily capture the entire local context in which population change occurs.
At the local level, population change is influenced by many factors not considered in the projections, such as economic development and housing policies.