Population
Population data comes from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and is based on the number of people counted as part of the Census. An estimate of the number of people living in the area, their age, and their gender is produced annually from other administrative sources. Projections show what the population will be if recent trends continue.
The total projected population of Slough in 2016 is estimated to be 149,400. This is based on 2012 population trends.
Facts, figures and trends
Population ‘pyramids’ can give a breakdown of the total population in different ages and genders. This can then be compared to another area’s population breakdown. We have compared Slough’s population with the population of England and Wales.
As a proportion of the total population, there are a lot more young children aged 0 to 9 who live in Slough than the national average. There is also a higher proportion of young adults - aged 25 to 44 – who live in Slough. This suggests there are a lot of young families who live in Slough. There is a much smaller older population who live in Slough than the national average.
Figure 1: Projected Population Structure for Slough 2016
Source: Office for National Statistics
Population density
This map (Source: Office for National Statistics) shows the population density of Slough. It also shows which areas have the most people living in them relative to the size of the area - which highlights the areas of densest housing.
Figure 2: Population density in Slough Borough based on 2011 Census
Source: Office for National Statistics
Components of change in Slough’s population
When the Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimates what the change in the population size will be from one year to the next, it looks into the different common factors or ‘components of change’ that will influence this. The sum of these components leads to the overall estimate of population increase or decrease. The components are broadly described as:
- ‘natural change’ - the number of births minus the number of deaths in an area and
- ‘net migration’ - the number of people who move into the area minus the number of people who move out.
Overall, the population of Slough has increased since the last estimates were released. This increase has been mainly due to "natural change" i.e. the number of births has been greater than the number of deaths.
In the past, migration has been one of the greatest contributors to population change in Slough, however, it is now estimated that the number of people moving in to Slough from overseas is offset from those moving out of Slough to other parts of the UK. Figure 3 shows the contribution of natural change and migration to the population of Slough.
Figure 3: Estimated components of change in Slough's population 2016
Source: Office for National Statistics
Change in Slough’s population
The ONS has produced national population projections for up to 2021. These are based on factors like births, deaths, and migration into and out of an area. They don’t take into account local factors, like the building of new housing development which could draw more people into the area.
Slough’s percentage change in population from 2012 to 2021 is presented in Figure 4. By 2021, Slough’s total population is estimated to increase by 18,154 people. The majority of age groups are estimated to increase in size, with the older population increasing at the greatest rate. Very few age groups are estimated to decrease in size over this period.
Figure 4: Projected population change in the Slough Borough (2012 to 2021)
Source: Office for National Statistics
Recommendations for consideration for other key organisations
That population information and projections are used for future planning.
More information
More detailed analysis on the 2011 Census can be found at:
- our Census page
- the Office for National Statistics.