Stafford Urban Area Population Statistics

This article provides an overview of the key population statistics and demographic characteristics that define the modern urban area of Stafford, the historic county town of Staffordshire. It highlights total population figures derived from the latest census data, clarifies the boundary distinctions between the town and the wider local authority, and details the age profiles, ethnic composition, and household trends shaping the contemporary community.

Total Population and Urban Footprint

According to data from the 2021 Census conducted by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the population of the Stafford Built-Up Area (the continuous modern urban settlement) stands at approximately 71,000 residents.

It is important to distinguish the urban area from the broader local government district:

  • Stafford Built-Up Area (Urban Town): ~71,000 residents
  • Stafford Borough (Wider Administrative Area): 136,836 residents

The wider borough experienced an increase of roughly 4.6% between the 2011 and 2021 censuses, driven primarily by residential expansion along the town's northern, western, and eastern periphery.

Age Distribution

The age profile of the Stafford urban area mirrors a gradual national trend toward an aging population, supported by a stable working-age demographic.

  • Under 18: Approximately 19% of the population.
  • Working Age (18–64): Roughly 61% of residents fall into this band, buoyed by local employment in public administration, logistics, healthcare (County Hospital), and commuter connections to Birmingham and Manchester.
  • Aged 65 and Over: Around 20% of the urban population, reflecting a higher proportion of retirees compared to major urban centers in the West Midlands.

The median age across the Stafford urban area is approximately 43 years, slightly above the median age for England as a whole.

Ethnic Composition

While Stafford remains less ethnically diverse than the nearby West Midlands conurbation, its diversity has steadily increased over the past two decades.

  • White: Approximately 91.5% of the population (with the majority identifying as White British, alongside smaller communities of other European backgrounds).
  • Asian or Asian British: Approximately 3.5%, primarily of Indian and Pakistani heritage.
  • Mixed or Multiple Ethnic Groups: Around 2.2%.
  • Black, Black British, Caribbean, or African: Approximately 1.6%.
  • Other Ethnic Groups: Roughly 1.2%.

Households and Density

The Stafford urban zone comprises approximately 31,000 households. The average household size is 2.3 people, aligning closely with regional averages.

  • Housing Density: The urban core features higher-density terraced housing and modern apartment developments, particularly near the railway station and the Victoria Park riverside redevelopment. The outer suburbs (such as Holmcroft, Weeping Cross, and Wildwood) consist predominantly of detached and semi-detached properties.
  • Single-Person Households: Make up nearly 30% of all households in the urban area, driven by both a growing retired population and younger single professionals.