Most and least populated places in North West (2021)

Manchester was the most populated of North West’s 35 councils in 2021 (population 551,938).

Ribble Valley was the least populated (61,561). The middle council, Bury, had 193,851.

Map of population across the UKSee it on the map
Population for every council in North West, highest first. Councils without a figure are listed last with the reason.
RankCouncilValue
1Manchester551,938
2Liverpool486,088
3Cheshire East398,772
4Cheshire West and Chester357,150
5Wigan329,330
6Wirral320,199
7Bolton295,963
8Stockport294,773
9Sefton279,233
10Cumberland

Worked out by Open Index by adding up the census output areas in this area, because the census was published on the boundaries before this council changed.

273,276
11Salford269,923
12Oldham242,088
13Trafford235,052
14Tameside231,071
15Westmorland and Furness

Worked out by Open Index by adding up the census output areas in this area, because the census was published on the boundaries before this council changed.

226,589
16Rochdale223,773
17Warrington210,974
18Bury193,851
19St. Helens183,248
20Blackburn with Darwen154,738
21Knowsley154,519
22Preston147,835
23Lancaster142,934
24Blackpool141,036
25Halton128,478
26Chorley117,732
27West Lancashire117,429
28Wyre111,946
29South Ribble111,035
30Pendle95,757
31Burnley94,646
32Hyndburn82,234
33Fylde81,374
34Rossendale70,871
35Ribble Valley61,561

Source and method · See it on the map