Home / Places / East of England / Essex Essex: population and ethnicity County council area. 12 district councils.
Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock are unitary councils in ceremonial Essex, shown with their own figures and outside the county council's area.
ONS estimates show that the county council area's population rose by 179,526 residents (12.9%) between mid-2011 and mid-2025, from 1,396,599 to 1,576,125. Source: ONS MYE4 .
1,576,125 Residents, mid-2025 ONS MYE4 estimate 1,503,521 Residents, Census 2021 ethnicity table ONS TS021 county row 1,393,587 Residents, Census 2011 ONS KS201EW county row Ethnic groups in the county council area Census 2011
White British 90.8% White Other 3.5% Asian 2.5% Black 1.3% Mixed 1.5% Other 0.4% Census 2021
White British 85.1% White Other 5.2% Asian 3.7% Black 2.5% Mixed 2.4% Other 1.0% Published county counts. Changes are percentage points calculated from unrounded shares. Group 2011 2021 Change White British 1,264,877 1,279,711 -5.6pp White Other 48,979 78,841 +1.7pp Asian 34,860 56,253 +1.2pp Black 18,709 37,393 +1.1pp Mixed 20,885 36,774 +0.9pp Other 5,277 14,549 +0.6pp
How county and district counts relate County figures use the ONS county council row. Districts use their own published rows. Census 2021 counts include disclosure-control changes, so district figures may not add exactly to the county figure. The reconciliation table shows each difference. Census 2011 counts and annual population estimates agree exactly with the district sums.
The 2021 district resident total agrees exactly with the published county total. The ethnicity table's all-residents count is the denominator for every county ethnic group share.
ONS explains Census 2021 disclosure controls . The audit does not establish the precise cause of each individual difference.
Reconciliation: every county and district-sum comparison Difference means district sum minus published county count. Year and measure County District sum Difference 2011: All residents 1,393,587 1,393,587 0 2011: White British 1,264,877 1,264,877 0 2011: White Other 48,979 48,979 0 2011: Asian 34,860 34,860 0 2011: Black 18,709 18,709 0 2011: Mixed 20,885 20,885 0 2011: Other 5,277 5,277 0 2021: All residents 1,503,521 1,503,521 0 2021: White British 1,279,711 1,279,710 -1 2021: White Other 78,841 78,844 +3 2021: Asian 56,253 56,252 -1 2021: Black 37,393 37,392 -1 2021: Mixed 36,774 36,774 0 2021: Other 14,549 14,549 0
Raw source rows: KS201EW, 2011 , row 77. TS021, 2021 , row 135.
Download all county reconciliation records (CSV)
Annual county population estimates, 2011 to 2025 ONS MYE4. Every value agrees exactly with the sum of constituent districts. Year Residents 2011 1,396,599 2012 1,407,607 2013 1,418,900 2014 1,436,516 2015 1,447,710 2016 1,460,525 2017 1,469,674 2018 1,478,385 2019 1,489,341 2020 1,495,515 2021 1,506,726 2022 1,519,798 2023 1,541,131 2024 1,558,928 2025 1,576,125
Population change since 2011 Map: Population change since 2011, mid-2025 estimate. Essex: 12 district councils, 2 unitary councils. Basildon +10.6%; Braintree +12.9%; Brentwood +8.5%; Castle Point +3.0%; Chelmsford +13.1%; Colchester +15.9%; Epping Forest +10.8%; Harlow +19.9%; Maldon +13.7%; Rochford +8.9%; Southend-on-Sea +6.3%; Tendring +15.2%; Thurrock +14.8%; Uttlesford +20.9%. Basildon: +10.6% Braintree: +12.9% Brentwood: +8.5% Castle Point: +3.0% Chelmsford: +13.1% Colchester: +15.9% Epping Forest: +10.8% Harlow: +19.9% Maldon: +13.7% Rochford: +8.9% Southend-on-Sea: +6.3% Tendring: +15.2% Thurrock: +14.8% Uttlesford: +20.9% Braintree +12.9% 166,471 people Uttlesford +20.9% 96,762 people Chelmsford +13.1% 190,570 people Colchester +15.9% 201,163 people Tendring +15.2% 159,060 people Epping Forest +10.8% 138,394 people Maldon +13.7% 70,196 people Thurrock +14.8% 181,664 people ukdemographics.co.uk ukdemographics.co.uk UK Demographics Population data for every community 2025 Population change since 2011 Essex: 12 district councils, 2 unitary councils ONS ESTIMATE −4 −1 +1 +4 +8 +12% Change in the estimated resident population at 30 June, compared with mid-2011. Source: ONS, Mid-Year Population Estimates, England and Wales, June 2025, table MYE4 (published 29 July 2026). Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock are unitary councils in ceremonial Essex, shown with their own figures and outside the county council's area. Boundaries: ONS LAD (May 2026) BSC. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2026. ukdemographics.co.uk Every figure sourced. Map: Population change since 2011, mid-2025 estimate. Essex: 12 district councils, 2 unitary councils. Basildon +10.6%; Braintree +12.9%; Brentwood +8.5%; Castle Point +3.0%; Chelmsford +13.1%; Colchester +15.9%; Epping Forest +10.8%; Harlow +19.9%; Maldon +13.7%; Rochford +8.9%; Southend-on-Sea +6.3%; Tendring +15.2%; Thurrock +14.8%; Uttlesford +20.9%. Basildon: +10.6% Braintree: +12.9% Brentwood: +8.5% Castle Point: +3.0% Chelmsford: +13.1% Colchester: +15.9% Epping Forest: +10.8% Harlow: +19.9% Maldon: +13.7% Rochford: +8.9% Southend-on-Sea: +6.3% Tendring: +15.2% Thurrock: +14.8% Uttlesford: +20.9% Braintree +12.9% 166,471 people Uttlesford +20.9% 96,762 people Chelmsford +13.1% 190,570 people Colchester +15.9% 201,163 people Tendring +15.2% 159,060 people Epping Forest +10.8% 138,394 people Maldon +13.7% 70,196 people Thurrock +14.8% 181,664 people Brentwood +8.5% 80,104 people Basildon +10.6% 193,489 people Harlow +19.9% 98,543 people Castle Point +3.0% 90,613 people Rochford +8.9% 90,760 people Southend-on-Sea +6.3% 185,214 people ukdemographics.co.uk ukdemographics.co.uk UK Demographics Population data for every community 2025 Population change since 2011 Essex: 12 district councils, 2 unitary councils ONS ESTIMATE −4 −1 +1 +4 +8 +12% Change in the estimated resident population at 30 June, compared with mid-2011. Source: ONS, Mid-Year Population Estimates, England and Wales, June 2025, table MYE4 (published 29 July 2026). Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock are unitary councils in ceremonial Essex, shown with their own figures and outside the county council's area. Boundaries: ONS LAD (May 2026) BSC. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2026. ukdemographics.co.uk Every figure sourced. ONS mid-year estimates. Councils A to Z. Council 2011 2025 Change Basildon 174,971 193,489 +10.6% Braintree 147,514 166,471 +12.9% Brentwood 73,841 80,104 +8.5% Castle Point 87,964 90,613 +3.0% Chelmsford 168,491 190,570 +13.1% Colchester 173,614 201,163 +15.9% Epping Forest 124,880 138,394 +10.8% Harlow 82,177 98,543 +19.9% Maldon 61,720 70,196 +13.7% Rochford 83,333 90,760 +8.9% Southend-on-Sea Unitary, outside county total 174,274 185,214 +6.3% Tendring 138,062 159,060 +15.2% Thurrock Unitary, outside county total 158,268 181,664 +14.8% Uttlesford 80,032 96,762 +20.9%
Census 2021 ethnic groups Map: White British share of residents, Census 2021. Essex: 12 district councils, 2 unitary councils. Basildon 82.1%; Braintree 90.3%; Brentwood 82.7%; Castle Point 92.7%; Chelmsford 83.0%; Colchester 80.7%; Epping Forest 75.6%; Harlow 72.8%; Maldon 94.0%; Rochford 93.8%; Southend-on-Sea 81.6%; Tendring 93.5%; Thurrock 66.2%; Uttlesford 88.9%. England and Wales 2021: 74.4%. Basildon: 82.1% Braintree: 90.3% Brentwood: 82.7% Castle Point: 92.7% Chelmsford: 83.0% Colchester: 80.7% Epping Forest: 75.6% Harlow: 72.8% Maldon: 94.0% Rochford: 93.8% Southend-on-Sea: 81.6% Tendring: 93.5% Thurrock: 66.2% Uttlesford: 88.9% Braintree 90.3% fell 2.8 points from 2011 Chelmsford 83.0% fell 7.3 points from 2011 Tendring 93.5% fell 1.9 points from 2011 Thurrock 66.2% fell 14.7 points from 2011 ukdemographics.co.uk ukdemographics.co.uk UK Demographics Population data for every community 2021 White British share of residents Essex: 12 district councils, 2 unitary councils CENSUS · OBSERVED 40 50 60 70 80 90% England and Wales 2011: 80.5% England and Wales 2021: 74.4% Share of usual residents in the White: English, Welsh, Scottish, Northern Irish or British group. Source: ONS Census 2011, table KS201EW. Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock are unitary councils in ceremonial Essex, shown with their own figures and outside the county council's area. Boundaries: ONS LAD (May 2026) BSC. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2026. Share of usual residents in the White: English, Welsh, Scottish, Northern Irish or British group. Source: ONS Census 2021, table TS021; change from Census 2011, table KS201EW. Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock are unitary councils in ceremonial Essex, shown with their own figures and outside the county council's area. Boundaries: ONS LAD (May 2026) BSC. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2026. ukdemographics.co.uk Every figure sourced. Map: White British share of residents, Census 2021. Essex: 12 district councils, 2 unitary councils. Basildon 82.1%; Braintree 90.3%; Brentwood 82.7%; Castle Point 92.7%; Chelmsford 83.0%; Colchester 80.7%; Epping Forest 75.6%; Harlow 72.8%; Maldon 94.0%; Rochford 93.8%; Southend-on-Sea 81.6%; Tendring 93.5%; Thurrock 66.2%; Uttlesford 88.9%. England and Wales 2021: 74.4%. Basildon: 82.1% Braintree: 90.3% Brentwood: 82.7% Castle Point: 92.7% Chelmsford: 83.0% Colchester: 80.7% Epping Forest: 75.6% Harlow: 72.8% Maldon: 94.0% Rochford: 93.8% Southend-on-Sea: 81.6% Tendring: 93.5% Thurrock: 66.2% Uttlesford: 88.9% Braintree 90.3% fell 2.8 points from 2011 Uttlesford 88.9% fell 3.4 points from 2011 Chelmsford 83.0% fell 7.3 points from 2011 Colchester 80.7% fell 6.8 points from 2011 Tendring 93.5% fell 1.9 points from 2011 Epping Forest 75.6% fell 9.7 points from 2011 Maldon 94.0% fell 1.7 points from 2011 Thurrock 66.2% fell 14.7 points from 2011 Brentwood 82.7% fell 6.6 points from 2011 Rochford 93.8% fell 1.8 points from 2011 Harlow 72.8% fell 11.0 points from 2011 Basildon 82.1% fell 7.4 points from 2011 Castle Point 92.7% fell 2.7 points from 2011 Southend-on-Sea 81.6% fell 5.4 points from 2011 ukdemographics.co.uk ukdemographics.co.uk UK Demographics Population data for every community 2021 White British share of residents Essex: 12 district councils, 2 unitary councils CENSUS · OBSERVED 40 50 60 70 80 90% England and Wales 2021: 74.4% Share of usual residents in the White: English, Welsh, Scottish, Northern Irish or British group. Source: ONS Census 2011, table KS201EW. Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock are unitary councils in ceremonial Essex, shown with their own figures and outside the county council's area. Boundaries: ONS LAD (May 2026) BSC. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2026. Share of usual residents in the White: English, Welsh, Scottish, Northern Irish or British group. Source: ONS Census 2021, table TS021; change from Census 2011, table KS201EW. Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock are unitary councils in ceremonial Essex, shown with their own figures and outside the county council's area. Boundaries: ONS LAD (May 2026) BSC. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2026. ukdemographics.co.uk Every figure sourced. Each bar shows all six groups. Figures are observed Census 2021 shares; they are not projections.
White British 82.1% White Other 5.4% Asian 4.3% Black 4.8% Mixed 2.6% Other 0.9% White British 90.3% White Other 4.3% Asian 1.7% Black 1.2% Mixed 1.9% Other 0.5% White British 82.7% White Other 5.8% Asian 5.1% Black 2.3% Mixed 3.1% Other 1.1% White British 92.7% White Other 2.2% Asian 1.7% Black 1.3% Mixed 1.6% Other 0.5% White British 83.0% White Other 5.5% Asian 5.3% Black 2.6% Mixed 2.6% Other 0.9% White British 80.7% White Other 6.3% Asian 5.1% Black 3.5% Mixed 2.9% Other 1.5% White British 75.6% White Other 8.5% Asian 7.2% Black 2.9% Mixed 3.6% Other 2.2% White British 72.8% White Other 9.9% Asian 6.0% Black 6.2% Mixed 3.3% Other 1.8% White British 94.0% White Other 2.8% Asian 1.1% Black 0.4% Mixed 1.4% Other 0.3% White British 93.8% White Other 2.1% Asian 1.4% Black 0.7% Mixed 1.7% Other 0.3% Unitary council, outside the county council total.
White British 81.6% White Other 5.9% Asian 5.5% Black 2.9% Mixed 3.1% Other 1.1% White British 93.5% White Other 2.7% Asian 1.2% Black 0.6% Mixed 1.6% Other 0.4% Unitary council, outside the county council total.
White British 66.2% White Other 10.5% Asian 6.9% Black 11.9% Mixed 3.0% Other 1.5% White British 88.9% White Other 5.5% Asian 1.9% Black 0.8% Mixed 2.2% Other 0.7% Sources: ONS MYE4 population estimates, Census 2011 KS201EW and Census 2021 TS021. Boundaries: ONS Open Geography. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
All county council areas, A to Z