People and census in West Berkshire
Unitary authorityThe west of the South East. 165,523 people in 704 square kilometres.
24 layers about people and census for West Berkshire, each at the level its publisher released it, with its own date and source.
Population by output area
Census 2021, England and Wales
West Berkshire’s 505 output areas range from 104 to 926.
What is the population of West Berkshire?
West Berkshire had 161,448 usual residents at the census.
West Berkshire is the 145th most populated of 361 in the UK.
Population
CouncilWest Berkshire had 161,448 usual residents at the census.
West Berkshire is the 145th most populated of 361 in the UK.
Population estimate
CouncilWest Berkshire’s population was an estimated 165,523 in mid-2025.
The population rose 0.4% in the year to mid-2025.
West Berkshire is 149th most populated of 361 for population.
Aged 15 to 64
Council62.7% of residents in West Berkshire were aged 15 to 64 at the census.
In South East the figure is 63.1%.
- Against South East
- 1% lower63.1%
Aged 65 and over
Council19.5% of residents in West Berkshire were aged 65 or over at the census.
In South East the figure is 19.4%.
- Against South East
- 1% higher19.4%
Aged under 15
Council17.7% of residents in West Berkshire were aged under 15 at the census.
In South East the figure is 17.4%.
- Against South East
- 2% higher17.4%
Born outside the UK
Council12.0% of residents in West Berkshire were born outside the UK.
In South East the figure is 15.8%.
- Against South East
- 24% lower15.8%
Disability
Council14.7% of residents in West Berkshire had their day-to-day activities limited by a long-term health problem or disability.
In South East the figure is 16.1%.
- Against South East
- 9% lower16.1%
Good or very good health
Council85.7% of residents in West Berkshire said their health was good or very good.
In South East the figure is 84.0%.
- Against South East
- 2% higher84.0%
Households
CouncilWest Berkshire had 66,658 households at the census.
West Berkshire is 154th highest of 361 for the number of households.
Households without a car or van
Council12.1% of households in West Berkshire had no car or van at the census.
In South East the figure is 16.9%.
- Against South East
- 28% lower16.9%
Owner-occupied homes
Council68.9% of households in West Berkshire owned their home at the census.
In South East the figure is 67.1%.
- Against South East
- 3% higher67.1%
Population density
CouncilWest Berkshire had 229 people per square kilometre at the census.
In South East the figure is 486 per km².
Worked out by Open Index from census population counts and the area of each place.
- Against South East
- 53% lower486 per km²
Private rented homes
Council17.1% of households in West Berkshire rented privately at the census.
In South East the figure is 19.2%.
- Against South East
- 11% lower19.2%
Social rented homes
Council14.0% of households in West Berkshire rented from a council or housing association at the census.
In South East the figure is 13.6%.
- Against South East
- 3% higher13.6%
Degree-level qualifications
CouncilEngland, Wales and Northern Ireland only37.0% of residents aged 16 and over in West Berkshire had a degree-level qualification at the census.
In South East the figure is 35.8%.
- Against South East
- 3% higher35.8%
Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh
CouncilEngland and Wales only3.7% of residents in West Berkshire identified with the Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh ethnic group.
In South East the figure is 7.0%.
- Against South East
- 47% lower7.0%
Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African
CouncilEngland and Wales only1.3% of residents in West Berkshire identified with the Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African ethnic group.
In South East the figure is 2.4%.
- Against South East
- 46% lower2.4%
Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups
CouncilEngland and Wales only2.4% of residents in West Berkshire identified with a Mixed or Multiple ethnic group.
In South East the figure is 2.8%.
- Against South East
- 14% lower2.8%
Other ethnic group
CouncilEngland and Wales only0.7% of residents in West Berkshire identified with another ethnic group, including Arab.
In South East the figure is 1.5%.
- Against South East
- 53% lower1.5%
White ethnic groups
CouncilEngland and Wales only91.9% of residents in West Berkshire identified with a White ethnic group.
In South East the figure is 86.3%.
- Against South East
- 6% higher86.3%
Christian
CouncilEngland and Wales only49.1% of residents in West Berkshire said they were Christian.
In South East the figure is 46.5%.
- Against South East
- 6% higher46.5%
No religion
CouncilEngland and Wales only41.1% of residents in West Berkshire said they had no religion.
In South East the figure is 40.2%.
- Against South East
- 2% higher40.2%
Working mainly from home
CouncilEngland and Wales only41.3% of working residents in West Berkshire worked mainly from home in March 2021.
In South East the figure is 35.8%.
- Against South East
- 15% higher35.8%
Annual population change
CouncilWest Berkshire’s estimated population changed by 0.4% in the year to mid-2025.
Worked out by Open Index from the mid-year population estimates.
- Against South East
- 33% lower0.6%
- Against the UK
- 33% higher0.3%