Details of the population of Bristol, estimates, projections and population by Equalities Group.
Overview
An overview of the population living in the Bristol Local Authority area is available in the report:
pdf The Population of Bristol, August 2026(8.30 MB)
The report paints a picture of the population of Bristol and how it is changing.
As well as useful headlines, the report includes sections on trends by age group and by ward, births and deaths, international and internal migration, population projections, National Insurance Number Registrations and students.
Some facts about Bristol's population:
- Bristol is the largest city in the South West and the 8th largest of the 12 UK Core Cities, the mid-2025 population of Bristol is estimated to be 495,300.
- from 2015 to 2025, Bristol’s population grew by an estimated 43,500 people, a 9.6% increase, England and Wales grew by 7.1%. This is the 3rd largest percentage population increase of the nine Core Cities in England and Wales.
- the population is currently projected to increase to 526,600 people by 2032, a 10% increase between 2022-32 (England 6.4%)
- there are now more than 287 different ethnic groups in the city, more than 185 countries of birth represented, at least 45 religions and more than 90 languages spoken by people living in Bristol
- in 2024/25 there were 68,800 students registered at the two main Bristol universities
- for the last five years, more people have moved out of Bristol to surrounding areas and other parts of the UK than moved into Bristol from surrounding areas and other parts of the UK
Population estimates
Mid-2025 population estimates were published by the Office for National Statistics on 39 July 2026.
The population of Bristol is estimated to be 495,300 people.
Find more information in the following note and table:
- pdf Mid-2025 population estimates by age and sex(118 KB)
- spreadsheet Mid-2025 population estimates by age and sex(25 KB)
Population estimates for small geographies
Mid-2024 population estimates are available by age and sex for a selection of small geographies. Ward and Lower Layer Super Output Area estimates:
- spreadsheet Ward mid-2024 population estimates by broad age band(21 KB)
- pdf Ward mid-2024 population estimates by broad age band(126 KB)
- spreadsheet LSOA21 mid-2024 population estimates by broad age band(38 KB)
- pdf LSOA21 mid-2024 population estimates by broad age band(779 KB)
Census 2021 results
Census results for Bristol are presented in two new dashboards which can be found on our Census 2021 page.
Population by Equalities Group
Population profiles by equalities group show the differences between population groups in Bristol.
The new interactive Equalities Dashboard presents detailed results from Census 2021 by equalities group. Each equalities group is available for a selection of age groups.
Each profile compares data on:
- ethnicity
- religion
- health and disability
- economic activity
- language
- occupation and industry
- housing type, tenure and size
- household composition
The dashboard also presents equalities profiles by ward.
In addition to the dashboard, the following Census 2021 Equalities Profile reports are available.
- pdf Population Profile: Ethnic Group(3.24 MB)
- pdf Population Profile: Religion(2.43 MB)
- pdf Population Profile: Disabled population(1.68 MB)
- pdf Population Profile: Sexual orientation(1.20 MB)
- pdf Population Profile: Trans population(789 KB)
- pdf Population Profile: Somali population(1.19 MB)
- pdf Population Profile: Older people(2.27 MB)
Equalities statistics
The pdf Equalities Statistics August 2026(397 KB) guide outlines the main sources of equalities statistics for Bristol, including information on:
- age
- sex
- ethnic group
- religion
- disability
- sexual orientation
- gender identity
- legal partnership status
Student accommodation map
The pdf student accommodation map(1.49 MB) shows all forms of residential accommodation built or converted for use by students in the city centre.
The map also shows sites with:
- planning permission for student accommodation
- planning application for student accommodation but where permission has not yet been granted
You can also view the map online in Pinpoint:
- Open Pinpoint.
- Select Map layers in the top‑left corner.
- Open the Environment and planning list.
- Tick Student accommodation.
- Zoom in to view individual sites.
- Select a site to see more information.
Population projections
The latest population projections for the Bristol local authority area are the Office for National Statistics (ONS) 2022: based population projections:
- pdf 2022: based Population Projections Briefing Note(388 KB)
- spreadsheet 2022: based Population Projections by age(21 KB)
ONS will publish ‘Alternative 2022-based Population Projections’ at the end of 2026. This is so that the more recent decrease in international net migration can be taken into account.
Uncertainty in population projections data
Subnational population projections are not forecasts and do not attempt to predict potential changes in international migration.
There is uncertainty over future directions and levels of international migration.
Projected population change is the result of assumptions about future births, deaths and migration. For each local authority in England, ONS collect data on components of change to project these trends forward.
The 2022-based subnational projections use data from 2018 to 2022. ONS project these data forward for 25 years and use the national population projections for England to constrain the projections.