Leicester urban area

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Leicester Built Up Area (BUA), Leicester Urban Area, or Greater Leicester is an urban agglomeration defined by the Office of National Statistics (ONS), centred on the City of Leicester in the East Midlands, England. It had a population of 534,820 at the time of the 2021 census, and comprises Leicester itself and its suburbs, all of which are contiguous with or situated near to the city.

As at 2011 the Greater Leicester BUA was home to 51.8% of the total population of Leicestershire[1] (2001: 48.5%). A 2017 quote from the Leicester City Council website states that "The Greater Leicester urban area is one of the fastest growing in the country, with a population of about 650,000, of which 350,000 live within the city council area".[2] The conurbation methodology was changed for the 2021 census to only amalgamate built up areas linked by a direct road connection,[3] this resulted in a number of the 2011 areas being dropped but an reorganisation of the remaining and an overall increase in population.

Analysis: 2021

Leicester built-up area in 2021. Several subdivisions to the south and west dropped; other areas are separated out from the Leicester subdivision.
  Leicester subdivision
  Other subdivisions
  Local authority boundaries
More information Urban subdivision, Population ...

Leicester Built-up Area
2021 Census[4][5]

Urban subdivision Population
Leicester ONS 406,580
Wigston 34,730
Oadby 24,030
Birstall 14,315
Leicester Forest East and Kirby Muxloe 13,850
Syston 13,620
Enderby and Narborough 13,180
Thurmaston 9,050
Queniborough 3,090
Littlethorpe 1,920
Total 534,820
Change % from 2011 Increase 5.1%
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Analysis: 2011

Leicester built-up area in 2011. Directly contiguous outer suburbs now merged into Leicester. Syston now a subdivision; Ratby removed completely; new south western areas included.
  Leicester subdivision
  Other subdivisions
  City of Leicester unitary authority boundary
More information Urban subdivision, Population ...

Leicester Built-up Area
2011 Census[6]

Urban subdivision Population
Leicester ONS
City &
inner suburbs

443,760

Narborough / Enderby 12,996 Outer suburbs

65,156

Syston 12,804
Blaby / Whetstone 12,760
Birstall 12,216
Groby 6,782
Cosby 3,506
Queniborough 2,326
Littlethorpe 1,766
Total 508,916
Change % from 2001 Increase 15.3%
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Analysis: 2001

Leicester urban area in 2001. Northern Beaumont Leys included.
  Leicester subdivision
  Other subdivisions
More information Urban subdivision, Population ...

Leicester Urban Area
2001 Census[7]

Urban subdivision Population
Leicester ONS
City &
inner suburbs

330,574

Wigston 33,116 Outer suburbs

110,639

Oadby 22,679
Blaby / Whetstone 12,263
Birstall 11,480
Kirby Muxloe 9,500
Groby 6,256
Beaumont Leys 5,579
Ratby 3,862
Cosby 3,647
Queniborough 2,257
Total 441,213
Change % from 1991 Increase 5.8%
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Analysis: 1991

Leicester urban area in 1991, with newly added southern subdivisions.
  Leicester subdivision
  Other subdivisions
More information Urban subdivision, Population ...

Leicester Urban Area
1991 Census[8]

Urban subdivision Population
Leicester ONS
City &
inner suburbs

318,518

Wigston 32,864 Outer suburbs

98,083

Oadby 18,538
Birstall 11,770
Kirby Muxloe 7,780
Groby 7,183
Blaby 6,538
Whetstone 4,032
Ratby 3,601
Cosby 3,390
Queniborough 2,387
Total 416,601
Change % from 1981 Increase 3%
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Analysis: 1981

Leicester urban area in 1981, showing shaded 'outer suburbs' subdivisions. The small text lists 'inner suburbs' within the Leicester ONS subdivision, but outside the unitary authority (city council) area.
  Leicester subdivision
  Other subdivisions
More information Urban subdivision, Population ...

Leicester Urban Area
1981 Census[9]

Urban subdivision Population
Leicester ONS
City &
inner suburbs

324,394

Wigston 32,373 Outer suburbs

80,008

Oadby 18,331
Birstall 12,519
Kirby Muxloe 6,896
Groby 4,689
Ratby 3,095
Queniborough 2,105
Total 404,402
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Analysis: Notes

The Leicester ONS sub-totals are explained with reference to the following:

  • For 2011, there have been certain reclassifications from 'outer' to 'inner suburbs' thus contributing to the increase in population of Leicester ONS compared to 2001 and prior.
  • The ONS's definition of "Leicester" in the 2001 census excluded the northern area of the Beaumont Leys ward, which was counted separately, and amalgamated several surrounding towns and villages. Its boundaries and population were not the same as that of the Leicester UNITARY, which had a separate population of 279,921 at the 2001 Census and includes Beaumont Leys. See the 2001 Leicester ONS analysis.
  • Ongoing refinements in methodology between the two census dates meant that contiguous suburbs, external to the city boundaries and which were subdivided up to 2001, were merged into the 2011 Leicester ONS figure. These, along with infilling at the margins, also accounted for the removal of Ratby and the addition of new subdivisions.
  • Leicester ONS figures do not include the Ashton Green/Glebelands/Thurcaston Park development (containing 556 residents in 2011). Although within the city boundaries, this incipient addition is in effect a satellite village given that there is 'green separation'. This categorisation is likely to change as future residential expansion planned around the development,[10] converges towards Beaumont Leys and Birstall; both part of the urban area/BUA.

The Kirby Muxloe figures up to 2001 includes the portion of Leicester Forest East which is to the west of the M1 motorway. The eastern section is part of the Leicester ONS subdivision, and is listed separately in the 2001 table.

Although Stoughton is shown as a small leg of the urban area, its figures are not counted.

52.63°N 1.13°W / 52.63; -1.13

See also

References

External links

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