Watford is the second most densely populated area in the East of England, new figures have revealed.

The 2021 Census shows that, as of March 2021, there are around 34 people living on every football pitch-sized area of land.

In fact, the population density has grown to 4,774 usual residents per square kilometre, up from 4,214 in 2011.

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By comparison, the first most densely populated area in the East of England is Luton, with around 37 people living on every football pitch-sized area of land.

The Office of National Statistics, which compiled the consensus, said that based on England’s population, an average sized football pitch should home three people.  

Watford’s population has swelled over the last decade.

In 2021, 102,300 people were living in the area, up 13% from 90,301 when the last Census was carried out in 2011.

This rise is higher than the increase in England, Wales and the East of England.

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

This included an 8.3% increase in the East of England, where the population rose to 6,334,500 from 5,846,965 in 2011.

The Census also shows the balance of men and women in Watford has changed.

Watford’s population is now 49.2% male and 50.7% female, meaning there is now an even higher proportion of women in the area than 10 years ago.

In 2011, people living in Watford were 49.6% male and 50.4% female.

Figures also show the area is aging.

A decade ago, the population was made up of 13.5% under-10s and 12.3% over-65s, but this has changed to 13% and 12.6% respectively by 2021.

There has been an increase of 15.7% in people aged 65 years and over, and an increase of 12% in people aged 15 to 64 years.

There were 24.8 million households in England and Wales on Census day 2021, up from 23.4 million in 2011, with an average of 2.4 people in each household – the same as in 2011.

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