THE first results of the 2021 census are in – and they show Carlisle has seen its population rise over the last decade.

On census day, 110,000 people were living in the area – up 2 per cent from 107,524 in 2011, when the last census was carried out.

This also means the population density has grown to 106 usual residents per square kilometre, up from 104 in 2011.

Here are the historic populations of Carlisle:

1981: 99,504
1991: 100,562
2001: 100,742
2011: 107,524
2021: 110,000

The new data show the balance of men and women in the area has changed – Carlisle’s population is now 49 per cent male and 51 per cent female, meaning there is now a slightly higher proportion of men in the area than 10 years ago.

In 2011, people living in Carlisle were 48.8 per cent male and 51.2 per cent female.

'Getting older'

It also shows the area is aging – a decade ago the population was made up of 10.8 per cent under-10s and 18.5 per cent over-65s, but this had changed to 10.5 per cent and 21.7 per cent respectively by 2021.

The census takes place every 10 years, with every household in the UK required to take part.

The latest snapshot of England and Wales was captured on March 21 2021.

The census is crucial for the UK’s statisticians to understand how our population is changing, and plays a vital role in how our public services and government operate.

Across England and Wales, the total population grew 6.3 per cent over the past decade, from 56,075,912 in 2011 to 59,597,300 last year.

This included a 5.2 per cent increase in the North West, where the population rose to 7,417,300 from 7,052,177 in 2011.

Follow our live breakdown of the census data.