Introduction

1.1 The resident population of South West England is officially estimated at 5,124,100 for mid-2006. This makes the region the third smallest in population, exceeding only the North East and the East Midlands. In area, the South West is the largest of England’s regions, covering 23,837km2, and given the small population, has the lowest population density of all nine regions, at 215 people/km2.

Table 1.1 Mid Year Population Estimates by Broad Age Group, England Regions 2006
 

All ages

Children
(0-15)

Working age
(16-64M/59F)

Older people (65M/60F and over)

Area (km 2)

Density

North East

2556

469

1586

501

8592

297.45

North West

6853

1322

4236

1295

14163

483.88

Yorkshire and Humber

5142

979

3200

963

15411

333.68

East Midlands

4364

819

2711

833

15627

279.27

West Midlands

5367

1058

3281

1027

13004

412.70

East

5606

1078

3430

1098

19126

293.14

London

7512

1445

5033

1035

1573

4775.84

South East

8238

1581

5066

1590

19085

431.64

South West

5124

922

3083

1119

23851

214.84

England

50763

9674

31627

9462

130432

389.19
Source: ONS Mid Year Estimates 2006

    ONS Mid-Year Population estimates

    1.2 The South West is the most rural English region.  In the classification of local authority areas by Defra and others, 992,200 (20%) lived in ‘large urban’ and 968,100 (19%) in ‘other urban’ areas.

    Figure 1.1 DEFRA/Commission for Rural Communities Rural/Urban Classifications for the South West (Popup full image) 
    DEFRA/Commission for Rural Communties Rural Urban Classifications for the South West

    Figure 1.2 Local Authority Urban-Rural Classification for the South West 2005 (Popup full image) 
    Local Authority Urban-Rural Classification for the South West 2005

    1.3 Data from the 2001 Census were used by the Commission for Rural Communities/Defra to produce a more detailed urban-rural classification based on super output areas. This methodology showed nearly two thirds of the region’s population in towns of more than 10,000 people. The census-based settlement definitions showed 24% living in the three largest conurbations of Bristol (551,100), Bournemouth and Poole (383,713) and Plymouth (243,795).

    Rural Urban definitions

    Key Statistics for Urban Areas (>1500 population) 2001 Census

    Key Statistics for Settlements (100-1500 population; CD only) 2001 Census

    Table 1.2 Key Statistics for Settlements, Census 2001

    Class

    Population

    Percentage

    Hamlet and isolated dwellings - Less sparse

    266,464

    5.4

    Hamlet and isolated dwellings - Sparse

    47,346

    1.0

    Village - Less sparse

    613,738

    12.5

    Village - Sparse

    65,854

    1.3

    Town and fringe - Less sparse

    630,059

    12.8

    Town and fringe - Sparse

    56,163

    1.1

    Urban >10,000 - Less sparse

    3,225,050

    65.4

    Urban >10,000 - Sparse

    22,971

    0.5

    TOTAL

    4,927,645

    100.0


    Hamlet and isolated dwellings

    313,810

    6.4

    Village

    679,592

    13.8

    Town and fringe

    686,222

    13.9

    Urban > 10,000

    3,248,021

    65.9

    Less sparse

    4,735,311

    96.1

    Sparse

    192,334

    3.9

      The new Local Authority classification gives 6 Urban/Rural classifications:

      1. Major Urban
      2. Large Urban
      3. Other Urban
      4. Significant Rural
      5. Rural - 50
      6. Rural - 80

      These are defined as follows:

      1. Major Urban: districts with either 100,000 people or 50 percent of their population in urban areas with a population of more than 750,000.
      2. Large Urban: districts with either 50,000 people or 50 percent of their population in one of 17 urban areas with a population between 250,000 and 750,000.
      3. Other Urban: districts with fewer than 37,000 people or less than 26 percent of their population in rural settlements and larger market towns.
      4. Significant Rural: districts with more than 37,000 people or more than 26 percent of their population in rural settlements and larger market towns.
      5. Rural-50: districts with at least 50 percent but less than 80 percent of their population in rural settlements and larger market towns.
      6. Rural-80: districts with 80 percent or more of their population in rural settlements and larger market towns.