-
Census 2021 Data
-
Homes & Property
-
Law and Order
-
Jobs & Economy
-
Learning & Schools
-
Essential Services
-
Travel & Transport
-
Local Amenities
-
Leisure & Recreation
-
Environment
People & Demographics
Alt Lane, Oldham
OL8 2ELOldham
Understanding the makeup of communities is at the very heart of the Census. The "People & Demographics" section looks at who we are, how we live, and the spaces we share. From population density - how tightly packed or spacious your neighbourhood feels - to people's relationships that shape households, every detail helps build a picture of daily life. You'll also find insights into age groups and household compositions, revealing generational trends and living arrangements. This data and analysis gives you a great insight into the tapestry of life in OL8 2EL.
Population Density
Census 2021 dataset "TS002 - Population Density" provides a detailed look at how people are distributed across an area, measured as the number of residents per square kilometre. This is a key indicator that helps us understand how crowded or spacious a location feels. Higher density often suggests urban areas with compact housing and busy communities, whereas lower density points to rural or semi-rural locations with open space and/or countryside and fewer neighbours.
Packed or Peaceful? How This Postcode Stacks Up
Census 2021 data tells us that the population density of the OL8 2EL postcode area (closest match to OA output area) is, 1,118 people per square kilometre. This figure represents the number of residents living in each square kilometre, which offers insight into how crowded or spacious the neighbourhood is.
OL8 2EL has a population density notably higher than the regional average based on Census 2021 data. This level of population density is typical of more urbanised locations, where housing is packed closer together, and amenities like shops, schools, and transport are often within walking distance. The area is likely to have a vibrant community with plenty of activity.
0%
113Population Density.
Category | OL8 2EL* | North West | England & Wales |
---|
* Contains values based on ONS output area rather than postcode, and calculated as a best-fit model.
FAQs
Legal Marriage/Partnership Status
Legal Partnership Status provides data on the legal relationship status of individuals, including categories like single, married, in a civil partnership, separated, divorced, or widowed. This data is crucial for understanding demographic trends and patterns in relationships over time.
How many people in OL8 2EL are married?
According to the 2021 Census, 44% of the population in the postcode OL8 2EL are married or in a civil partnership. This is lower than when compared to the overall rate across England & Wales, which stands at 44.7%, a difference of -1.6%.
Marriage Rates Uncovered
44%
-1.6%Percentage of people in OL8 2EL who are married.
Category | OL8 2EL* | North West | England & Wales |
---|---|---|---|
Total | 209 | 6,025,636 | 46,006,957 |
Never married | 68 (32.5%) | 2,372,877 (39.4%) | 17,450,122 (37.9%) |
Married or civil partnership | 92 (44.0%) | 2,575,107 (42.7%) | 20,561,642 (44.7%) |
Married | 90 (43.1%) | 2,565,016 (42.6%) | 20,464,074 (44.5%) |
Married: Opposite sex | 90 (43.1%) | 2,548,818 (42.3%) | 20,336,565 (44.2%) |
Married: Same sex | 0 (0.0%) | 16,198 (0.3%) | 127,509 (0.3%) |
Civil partnership | 2 (1.0%) | 10,091 (0.2%) | 97,568 (0.2%) |
Civil partnership: Opposite sex | 0 (0.0%) | 3,408 (0.1%) | 34,067 (0.1%) |
Civil partnership: Same sex | 2 (1.0%) | 6,683 (0.1%) | 63,501 (0.1%) |
Separated | 1 (0.5%) | 136,428 (2.3%) | 1,033,518 (2.2%) |
Separated but married | 1 (0.5%) | 135,494 (2.2%) | 1,025,977 (2.2%) |
Separated but in a civil partnership | 0 (0.0%) | 934 (0.0%) | 7,541 (0.0%) |
Dissolved | 22 (10.5%) | 550,417 (9.1%) | 4,171,639 (9.1%) |
Divorced | 22 (10.5%) | 549,121 (9.1%) | 4,160,359 (9.0%) |
Civil partnership dissolved | 0 (0.0%) | 1,296 (0.0%) | 11,280 (0.0%) |
Widowed or surviving civil partnership partner | 26 (12.4%) | 390,807 (6.5%) | 2,790,036 (6.1%) |
Widowed | 26 (12.4%) | 390,312 (6.5%) | 2,785,998 (6.1%) |
Surviving partner from civil partnership | 0 (0.0%) | 495 (0.0%) | 4,038 (0.0%) |
* Contains values based on ONS output area rather than postcode, and calculated as a best-fit model.
FAQs
Age (by 5-year bands)
Age by 5-Year Age Bands breaks down the population into age groups, each spanning five years. It typically ranges from 0–4 years, 5–9 years, and so on, up to 85 years and older. This granularity allows for a detailed view of the age distribution within a population. It provides insights into demographic trends and the proportion of different age groups within a given area.
Age Breakdown
In the OL8 2EL area, 9.5% of the population is made up of children aged 15 and under, compared to 17.3% across England. On the senior side of the spectrum, 34.3% are 65 or older, encompassing the retirement-age group.
This difference in percentage of retirees could be due to proximity to retirement communities, healthcare facilities, proximity to family and social connections nearby.
34.3%
Percentage of the population aged 65 and older
Category | OL8 2EL* | North West | England & Wales |
---|---|---|---|
Total | 231 | 7,417,397 | 56,490,048 |
< 4 yrs | 9 (3.9%) | 407,653 (5.5%) | 3,076,950 (5.4%) |
5 to 9 yrs | 9 (3.9%) | 445,074 (6.0%) | 3,348,700 (5.9%) |
10 to 14 yrs | 4 (1.7%) | 452,407 (6.1%) | 3,413,327 (6.0%) |
15 to 19 yrs | 9 (3.9%) | 430,951 (5.8%) | 3,218,893 (5.7%) |
20 to 24 yrs | 6 (2.6%) | 453,698 (6.1%) | 3,414,452 (6.0%) |
25 to 29 yrs | 10 (4.3%) | 476,821 (6.4%) | 3,715,280 (6.6%) |
30 to 34 yrs | 10 (4.3%) | 505,938 (6.8%) | 3,952,585 (7.0%) |
35 to 39 yrs | 18 (7.8%) | 485,619 (6.5%) | 3,795,388 (6.7%) |
40 to 44 yrs | 13 (5.6%) | 444,805 (6.0%) | 3,580,406 (6.3%) |
45 to 49 yrs | 8 (3.5%) | 458,363 (6.2%) | 3,602,644 (6.4%) |
50 to 54 yrs | 19 (8.2%) | 513,521 (6.9%) | 3,907,753 (6.9%) |
55 to 59 yrs | 26 (11.3%) | 512,507 (6.9%) | 3,806,369 (6.7%) |
60 to 64 yrs | 11 (4.8%) | 443,722 (6.0%) | 3,255,998 (5.8%) |
65 to 69 yrs | 20 (8.7%) | 375,952 (5.1%) | 2,767,496 (4.9%) |
70 to 74 yrs | 23 (10.0%) | 379,530 (5.1%) | 2,796,647 (5.0%) |
75 to 79 yrs | 15 (6.5%) | 269,822 (3.6%) | 2,038,774 (3.6%) |
80 to 84 yrs | 10 (4.3%) | 190,185 (2.6%) | 1,426,085 (2.5%) |
85 yrs + | 11 (4.8%) | 170,829 (2.3%) | 1,372,301 (2.4%) |
* Contains values based on ONS output area rather than postcode, and calculated as a best-fit model.
Household Composition
Household Composition categorises households by their structure. It includes single-person households, family households, multi-family households, and other household arrangements. Family households can consist of couples, couples with children, or single-parent families. Multi-family households refer to those with multiple families living together, while 'other' can encompass shared living arrangements, such as roommates or extended families.
Solo Household Statistics
The 2021 Census indicates that 27.6% of households within the OL8 2EL postcode area are comprised of single occupants. This is higher than compared to the rate across England & Wales, with a difference of 115.6% relative to the national percentage, which is 12.8% for single-person households.
27.6%
115.6%Percentage of OL8 2EL households that contain a single person.
Category | OL8 2EL* | North West | England & Wales |
---|---|---|---|
Total | 116 | 3,153,406 | 23,436,086 |
1 person | 47 (40.5%) | 1,014,913 (32.2%) | 7,052,229 (30.1%) |
1 person: Aged 66+ | 32 (27.6%) | 420,823 (13.3%) | 3,001,789 (12.8%) |
1 person: Other | 15 (12.9%) | 594,090 (18.8%) | 4,050,440 (17.3%) |
Single family | 59 (50.9%) | 1,961,888 (62.2%) | 14,762,923 (63.0%) |
Single family: All 66+ | 16 (13.8%) | 278,671 (8.8%) | 2,145,278 (9.2%) |
Single family: Married couple | 28 (24.1%) | 904,487 (28.7%) | 7,129,794 (30.4%) |
Single family married: No children | 11 (9.5%) | 312,295 (9.9%) | 2,440,210 (10.4%) |
Single family married: Dependent children | 7 (6.0%) | 412,594 (13.1%) | 3,375,402 (14.4%) |
Single family married: Non-dependent children | 10 (8.6%) | 179,598 (5.7%) | 1,314,182 (5.6%) |
Single family cohabiting | 8 (6.9%) | 373,006 (11.8%) | 2,708,979 (11.6%) |
Single family cohabiting: No children | 5 (4.3%) | 192,405 (6.1%) | 1,486,961 (6.3%) |
Single family cohabiting: dependent children | 2 (1.7%) | 155,174 (4.9%) | 1,053,001 (4.5%) |
Single family cohabiting: children non-dependent | 1 (0.9%) | 25,427 (0.8%) | 169,017 (0.7%) |
Single family lone parent | 6 (5.2%) | 382,496 (12.1%) | 2,594,901 (11.1%) |
Single family lone parent: dependent children | 2 (1.7%) | 241,480 (7.7%) | 1,617,076 (6.9%) |
Single family lone parent: children non-dependent | 4 (3.4%) | 141,016 (4.5%) | 977,825 (4.2%) |
Single family other | 1 (0.9%) | 23,228 (0.7%) | 183,971 (0.8%) |
Single family other household: Other | 1 (0.9%) | 23,228 (0.7%) | 183,971 (0.8%) |
Other types | 10 (8.6%) | 176,605 (5.6%) | 1,620,934 (6.9%) |
Other with dependent children | 4 (3.4%) | 73,084 (2.3%) | 630,340 (2.7%) |
Other inc students and all aged 66+ | 6 (5.2%) | 103,521 (3.3%) | 990,594 (4.2%) |
* Contains values based on ONS output area rather than postcode, and calculated as a best-fit model.
FAQs
1 Data used for this page show statistics based on output area (OA - E00027262), a best-fit lookup between this postcode (OL8 2EL) and 2021 Census data. Output areas may include more households and population than postcodes.
Data source: Census 2021 / Office for National Statistics
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.