Blackpool is a seaside resort in North West England. It has been a tourist destination since the latter half of the 19th century.
Its popularity with tourists is based on its wide range of attractions, including Blackpool Tower, Winter Gardens, Pleasure Beach, and its many bars, clubs, and restaurants.
According to the latest population statistics, there are now 141,000 people living in Blackpool.
For centuries, Blackpool was a small seaside settlement. It did not begin to grow into a significant town until 1846 with the opening of a railway connecting it to the industrial towns of Lancashire and Yorkshire. The made it much cheaper and easier for people to get to Blackpool.
The latter half of the 19th century saw significant developments. The North Pier was completed in 1863, drawing many visitors to the town. Central Pier opened in 1868. Southward expansion led to the construction of South Pier, which was completed in 1893. The town became the only one in the country to have three piers.
During this period, Blackpool’s population grew at a phenomenal rate. In 1851 it had a population of around 3,000. By 1911 it had grown to over 62,000.
In the inter-war period, Blackpool flourished as a holiday destination. By the 1920s, Blackpool was attracting up to 8 million visitors per year, much more than any other resort in the UK.
In the post-war decade, the town attracted as many as 17 million visitors a year.
Blackpool’s population reached its peak in 1961 with over 153,000 residents living there.
However, from the 1970s several factors combined to reverse the tourism growth. This had a knock-on effect on the town’s population. Since the 1980s, this had largely been in decline.
With the decline of the textile industry, it became less common for visitors to holiday in Blackpool during wake weeks.
Cheap, package holidays meant many of Blackpool’s traditional visitors went abroad because the UK’s unpredictable weather was no longer suitable for them.
Increased car ownership and better road links (the M55), made Blackpool more popular for day trips and short breaks.
The economy, however, is still heavily reliant on tourism.
Current Population Statistics
According to data from the UK's Office for National Statistics (ONS), the current population of Blackpool is 141,000.
As of , the latest ONS statistics are for 2021.
The table below details population statistics for Blackpool over the past few years, split by age group.
| Year | Total Population of Blackpool | Population Aged 0 to 15 | Population Aged 0 to 15 % | Population Aged 16 to 64 | Population Aged 16 to 64 % | Population Aged 65+ | Population Aged 65+ % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 142,000 | 25,600 | 18.03 | 88,500 | 62.32 | 27,900 | 19.65 |
| 2013 | 141,600 | 25,500 | 18.01 | 87,900 | 62.08 | 28,200 | 19.92 |
| 2014 | 140,900 | 25,400 | 18.03 | 87,100 | 61.82 | 28,500 | 20.23 |
| 2015 | 140,200 | 25,400 | 18.12 | 86,300 | 61.55 | 28,500 | 20.33 |
| 2016 | 140,000 | 25,400 | 18.14 | 86,100 | 61.50 | 28,500 | 20.36 |
| 2017 | 139,900 | 25,700 | 18.37 | 85,600 | 61.19 | 28,500 | 20.37 |
| 2018 | 139,300 | 26,000 | 18.66 | 84,900 | 60.95 | 28,400 | 20.39 |
| 2019 | 139,400 | 26,200 | 18.79 | 84,700 | 60.76 | 28,500 | 20.44 |
| 2020 | 138,400 | 26,100 | 18.86 | 83,900 | 60.62 | 28,400 | 20.52 |
| 2021 | 141,000 | 24,600 | 17.45 | 87,000 | 61.70 | 29,400 | 20.85 |
Population Growth
As can be seen from the data in the table above, the population of Blackpool decreased from 142,000 in 2012 to 141,000 in 2021.
This represents a population growth rate of -0.70%.
Demographics of Blackpool - Age Groups
In 2012, 25,600 children lived in Blackpool; 18.03% of the total population.
In 2021, 24,600 children lived there, which was 17.45% of the total population. The percentage of children living in Blackpool in recent years has been falling.
In 2012, 88,500 adults lived in Blackpool, representing 62.32% of the total population.
In 2021, 87,000 adults lived there, representing 61.70% of the total population. The percentage of adults living in Blackpool in recent years has been declining.
In 2012, 27,900 elderly people lived in Blackpool, 19.65% of the total population.
In 2021, 29,400 elderly people lived there, or 20.85% of the total population. The percentage of elderly people living in Blackpool in recent years has been increasing.
Demographics of Blackpool - Gender
There are currently more females than males in Blackpool.
69,500 males were living there in 2021 (49.29% of the total).
71,400 females were living there in 2021 (50.64% of the total).
Population statistics by gender for Blackpool between 2012 and 2021 are shown in the table below.
| Date | Total | Males | % | Females | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 142,000 | 69,900 | 49.23 | 72,200 | 50.85 |
| 2013 | 141,600 | 69,600 | 49.15 | 72,000 | 50.85 |
| 2014 | 140,900 | 69,300 | 49.18 | 71,600 | 50.82 |
| 2015 | 140,200 | 69,100 | 49.29 | 71,100 | 50.71 |
| 2016 | 140,000 | 69,200 | 49.43 | 70,800 | 50.57 |
| 2017 | 139,900 | 69,100 | 49.39 | 70,700 | 50.54 |
| 2018 | 139,300 | 69,000 | 49.53 | 70,300 | 50.47 |
| 2019 | 139,400 | 69,100 | 49.57 | 70,300 | 50.43 |
| 2020 | 138,400 | 68,700 | 49.64 | 69,600 | 50.29 |
| 2021 | 141,000 | 69,500 | 49.29 | 71,400 | 50.64 |
2021 Census - Blackpool
Censuses provide useful information about the general demographics of the country, such as age breakdowns, marital status, occupation, ethnicity, etc.
In the UK, there is a census every 10 years.
They are currently run in England and Wales by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), in Northern Ireland by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NIRSA), and in Scotland by National Records of Scotland (NRS).
The census data provides a detailed view of the country. Data from the census is used to help authorities plan and run public services, develop policies, and allot funding.
The most recent UK census took place in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland on 21 March 2021. Scotland delayed the census to 2022 due to the pandemic.
Statistics from the 2021 Census (for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland) will be reported in summer 2022.
The census before this took place in 2011. Demographic information for Blackpool is shown below.
2011 Census Data - Resident Population of Blackpool
As of today, the most recent published UK Census data was for 2011. Results of the 2011 United Kingdom Census showed that the total population of Blackpool was 142,065.
The number of males living in Blackpool was 69,775 (49.11% of the total resident population). The number of females was 72,290 (50.89% of the total resident population).
Population Density
Blackpool covers an area of 3,488 hectares. The population density was 40.73 persons per hectare.
2011 Census Data - Ethnic Groups in Blackpool
Whites were the largest ethnic group in Blackpool. 137,339 (96.67%) of the total population of 142,065 identified as white.
Blackpool has a higher percentage white population than the average for England (85.42%).
Asians were the second-largest ethnic group in Blackpool. 2,282 (1.61%) of the population identified as Asian.
Blackpool has a lower percentage Asian population than the average for England (7.82%).
| Ethnicity | Number | % |
|---|---|---|
| White | 137,339 | 96.67 |
| Mixed | 1,753 | 1.23 |
| Asian | 2,282 | 1.61 |
| Black | 346 | 0.24 |
| Total | 142,065 | 100.00 |
2011 Census Data - Religion in Blackpool
Christians were the largest religious group in Blackpool. 95,426 (67.17%) of the total population of 142,065 identified as Christian.
Blackpool has a higher percentage Christian population than the average for England (59.38%).
Muslims were the second-largest religious group in Blackpool. 1,061 (0.75%) of the population identified as Muslim.
Blackpool has a lower percentage Muslim population than the average for England (5.02%).
| Religion | Number | % |
|---|---|---|
| Christian | 95,426 | 67.17 |
| Muslim | 1,061 | 0.75 |
| Hindu | 337 | 0.24 |
| Buddhist | 450 | 0.32 |
| Sikh | 61 | 0.04 |
| Jewish | 252 | 0.18 |
| Other | 571 | 0.40 |
| No Religion | 34,815 | 24.51 |
| Religion Not Stated | 9,092 | 6.40 |
| Total | 142,065 | 100.00 |
2011 Census Data - Resident Population of Blackpool - Country of Birth
134,362 (94.58%) of the 142,065 residents of Blackpool were born in the UK; 126,154 in England, 5,900 in Scotland, 1,353 in Wales, and 951 in Northern Ireland.
926 (0.65%) were born in the Republic of Ireland, 3,339 (2.35%) in other EU countries, and 3,438 (2.42%) in other countries.
| Country of Birth | Number | % |
|---|---|---|
| England | 126,154 | 88.80 |
| Scotland | 5,900 | 4.15 |
| Wales | 1,353 | 0.95 |
| Northern Ireland | 951 | 0.67 |
| Republic of Ireland | 926 | 0.65 |
| Other EU | 3,339 | 2.35 |
| Other Countries | 3,438 | 2.42 |
Location and Transport
Blackpool is located in Lancashire, North West England. It lies on the Irish Sea, between the Ribble and Wyre rivers. The town is 13 miles west of Preston and 26 miles north of Liverpool.
The town has 4 train stations; Blackpool North, Blackpool South, Blackpool Pleasure Beach, and Layton.
Blackpool North, situated in the town center, is the busiest.
Services from Blackpool North include trains to York, Manchester Airport, and Liverpool Lime Street.
Blackpool has a direct motorway link to its town centre. Follow the M6 to Junction 32 and then take the M55.
