Bury is a town and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, North West England. The metropolitan borough includes Bury itself and the outlying towns of Ramsbottom, Tottington, Radcliffe, Whitefield, and Prestwich.
The current population of Bury (metropolitan borough) is 193,800. It is the least populated of the 10 metropolitan boroughs in Greater Manchester.
Prestwich and Whitefield have large Jewish communities.
Current Population Statistics
According to data from the UK's Office for National Statistics (ONS), the current population of Bury is 193,800.
As of , the latest ONS statistics are for 2021.
Population statistics for Bury between 2012 and 2021, split by age group, are shown in the table below.
| Year | Total Population of Bury | 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 | 186,200 | 37,500 | 20.14 | 117,600 | 63.16 | 31,100 | 16.70 |
| 2013 | 186,500 | 37,600 | 20.16 | 116,900 | 62.68 | 31,900 | 17.10 |
| 2014 | 187,300 | 37,900 | 20.23 | 116,600 | 62.25 | 32,800 | 17.51 |
| 2015 | 187,800 | 38,000 | 20.23 | 116,400 | 61.98 | 33,400 | 17.78 |
| 2016 | 188,500 | 38,400 | 20.37 | 116,400 | 61.75 | 33,700 | 17.88 |
| 2017 | 189,600 | 38,800 | 20.46 | 116,700 | 61.55 | 34,200 | 18.04 |
| 2018 | 190,100 | 38,800 | 20.41 | 116,600 | 61.34 | 34,700 | 18.25 |
| 2019 | 191,000 | 38,900 | 20.37 | 117,100 | 61.31 | 35,000 | 18.32 |
| 2020 | 190,700 | 38,700 | 20.29 | 117,000 | 61.35 | 35,100 | 18.41 |
| 2021 | 193,800 | 38,800 | 20.02 | 119,300 | 61.56 | 35,600 | 18.37 |
Population Growth
As can be seen from the data in the table above, the population of Bury increased from 186,200 in 2012 to 193,800 in 2021.
This represents a population growth rate of 4.08%.
Demographics of Bury - Age Groups
In 2012, 37,500 children lived in Bury; 20.14% of the total population.
In 2021, 38,800 children lived there, which was 20.02% of the total population. The percentage of children living in Bury in recent years has been falling.
In 2012, 117,600 adults lived in Bury, representing 63.16% of the total population.
In 2021, 119,300 adults lived there, representing 61.56% of the total population. The percentage of adults living in Bury in recent years has been declining.
In 2012, 31,100 elderly people lived in Bury, 16.70% of the total population.
In 2021, 35,600 elderly people lived there, or 18.37% of the total population. The percentage of elderly people living in Bury in recent years has been increasing.
Demographics of Bury - Gender
There are currently more females than males in Bury.
95,100 males were living there in 2021 (49.07% of the total).
98,800 females were living there in 2021 (50.98% of the total).
Population statistics by gender for Bury between 2012 and 2021 are shown in the table below.
| Date | Total | Males | % | Females | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 186,200 | 91,000 | 48.87 | 95,100 | 51.07 |
| 2013 | 186,500 | 91,200 | 48.90 | 95,300 | 51.10 |
| 2014 | 187,300 | 91,600 | 48.91 | 95,700 | 51.09 |
| 2015 | 187,800 | 91,900 | 48.94 | 95,900 | 51.06 |
| 2016 | 188,500 | 92,400 | 49.02 | 96,100 | 50.98 |
| 2017 | 189,600 | 92,900 | 49.00 | 96,700 | 51.00 |
| 2018 | 190,100 | 93,200 | 49.03 | 96,900 | 50.97 |
| 2019 | 191,000 | 93,700 | 49.06 | 97,300 | 50.94 |
| 2020 | 190,700 | 93,700 | 49.13 | 97,000 | 50.87 |
| 2021 | 193,800 | 95,100 | 49.07 | 98,800 | 50.98 |
2021 Census - Bury
The census is a nationwide head count that provides data on population numbers and social issues.
Since 1801, there has been a census in the UK every 10 years (with some exceptions).
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is the organization responsible for collecting and publishing official statistics in England and Wales. In Northern Ireland it is the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NIRSA), and in Scotland it is National Records of Scotland (NRS).
Census statistics help paint a picture of the UK. Data from the census helps authorities earmark resources to regional and local service providers.
The 2021 Census took place on March 21, 2021. It was the first census to be carried out primarily online.
The statistics from the 2021 Census for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland will be published in summer 2022.
The census prior to this was in 2011. Demographic information for Bury is shown below.
2011 Census Data - Resident Population of Bury
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 Bury was 185,060.
The number of males living in Bury was 90,588 (48.95% of the total resident population). The number of females was 94,472 (51.05% of the total resident population).
Population Density
Bury covers an area of 9,948 hectares. The population density was 18.60 persons per hectare.
2011 Census Data - Ethnic Groups in Bury
Whites were the largest ethnic group in Bury. 165,032 (89.18%) of the total population of 185,060 identified as white.
Bury has a higher percentage white population than the average for England (85.42%).
Asians were the second-largest ethnic group in Bury. 13,407 (7.24%) of the population identified as Asian.
Bury has a lower percentage Asian population than the average for England (7.82%).
| Ethnicity | Number | % |
|---|---|---|
| White | 165,032 | 89.18 |
| Mixed | 3,365 | 1.82 |
| Asian | 13,407 | 7.24 |
| Black | 1,893 | 1.02 |
| Total | 185,060 | 100.00 |
2011 Census Data - Religion in Bury
Christians were the largest religious group in Bury. 116,036 (62.70%) of the total population of 185,060 identified as Christian.
Bury has a higher percentage Christian population than the average for England (59.38%).
Muslims were the second-largest religious group in Bury. 11,279 (6.09%) of the population identified as Muslim.
Bury has a higher percentage Muslim population than the average for England (5.02%).
| Religion | Number | % |
|---|---|---|
| Christian | 116,036 | 62.70 |
| Muslim | 11,279 | 6.09 |
| Hindu | 817 | 0.44 |
| Buddhist | 453 | 0.24 |
| Sikh | 301 | 0.16 |
| Jewish | 10,302 | 5.57 |
| Other | 422 | 0.23 |
| No Religion | 34,381 | 18.58 |
| Religion Not Stated | 11,069 | 5.98 |
| Total | 185,060 | 100.00 |
2011 Census Data - Resident Population of Bury - Country of Birth
168,945 (91.29%) of the 185,060 residents of Bury were born in the UK; 164,590 in England, 2,296 in Scotland, 1,073 in Wales, and 979 in Northern Ireland.
1,801 (0.97%) were born in the Republic of Ireland, 3,898 (2.11%) in other EU countries, and 10,416 (5.63%) in other countries.
| Country of Birth | Number | % |
|---|---|---|
| England | 164,590 | 88.94 |
| Scotland | 2,296 | 1.24 |
| Wales | 1,073 | 0.58 |
| Northern Ireland | 979 | 0.53 |
| Republic of Ireland | 1,801 | 0.97 |
| Other EU | 3,898 | 2.11 |
| Other Countries | 10,416 | 5.63 |
Location and Transport
Bury town centre is located 8 miles north of Manchester city centre.
The metropolitan borough is bounded by Rochdale to the east, Manchester and Salford to the south, Bolton to the west, Rossendale to the north, and Blackburn with Darwen to the northwest.
A Metrolink line links Bury town centre to Manchester city centre. It runs from Bury Metrolink Tram Stop to Piccadilly Metrolink Tram Stop (located at Manchester Piccadilly Train Station). Stops on the route include Radcliffe, Whitefield, and Prestwich.
