Chorley is a town and borough in Lancashire, North West England.
The Borough of Chorley includes the town of Chorley plus surrounding villages and areas. These include Adlington, Anglezarke, Astley Village, Charnock Richard, Clayton-le-Woods, Coppull, Croston, Cuerden, Eccleston, Euxton, Mawdesley, Rivington, Whittle-le-Woods, and Withnell.
The current population of Chorley (borough) is 117,900.
The population of the borough grew rapidly in the 19th century. In 1801 its population was around 20,000. By 1911 it had almost reached 69,000. Like many areas of Lancashire, it owed much of its growth during this time to the textile industry. It was also an important coal mining area. Chisnall Hall Colliery in Coppull was one of the biggest coal mines in Lancashire.
Chorley’s population stagnated throughout the first half of the 20th century. The pace of growth increased again from the 1970s onwards.
Chorley played an important role during the Second World War when it was home to the Royal Ordnance Factory Chorley, a large munitions manufacturer. At the height of production, almost 30,000 people worked here. The factory closed in 2007. The land is now Buckshaw Village, one of the largest brownfield housing developments in North West England.
Chorley has a lower ethnic minority population than both the regional and national average.
Chorley Council is the local authority responsible for the administration of the borough. They are based in Chorley town centre.
Current Population Statistics
According to data from the UK's Office for National Statistics (ONS), the current population of Chorley is 117,900.
As of , the latest ONS statistics are for 2021.
Population statistics for Chorley between 2012 and 2021, split by age group, are shown in the table below.
| Year | Total Population of Chorley | 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 | 109,100 | 19,900 | 18.24 | 69,900 | 64.07 | 19,300 | 17.69 |
| 2013 | 110,500 | 20,200 | 18.28 | 70,200 | 63.53 | 20,100 | 18.19 |
| 2014 | 111,600 | 20,400 | 18.28 | 70,300 | 62.99 | 20,900 | 18.73 |
| 2015 | 113,000 | 20,700 | 18.32 | 70,700 | 62.57 | 21,600 | 19.12 |
| 2016 | 114,300 | 21,000 | 18.37 | 71,100 | 62.20 | 22,200 | 19.42 |
| 2017 | 115,800 | 21,300 | 18.39 | 71,900 | 62.09 | 22,600 | 19.52 |
| 2018 | 116,800 | 21,600 | 18.49 | 72,200 | 61.82 | 23,000 | 19.69 |
| 2019 | 118,200 | 21,800 | 18.44 | 72,800 | 61.59 | 23,600 | 19.97 |
| 2020 | 118,900 | 21,900 | 18.42 | 73,200 | 61.56 | 23,900 | 20.10 |
| 2021 | 117,900 | 21,300 | 18.07 | 72,400 | 61.41 | 24,300 | 20.61 |
Population Growth
As can be seen from the data in the table above, the population of Chorley increased from 109,100 in 2012 to 117,900 in 2021.
This represents a population growth rate of 8.07%.
Demographics of Chorley - Age Groups
In 2012, 19,900 children lived in Chorley; 18.24% of the total population.
In 2021, 21,300 children lived there, which was 18.07% of the total population. The percentage of children living in Chorley in recent years has been falling.
In 2012, 69,900 adults lived in Chorley, representing 64.07% of the total population.
In 2021, 72,400 adults lived there, representing 61.41% of the total population. The percentage of adults living in Chorley in recent years has been declining.
In 2012, 19,300 elderly people lived in Chorley, 17.69% of the total population.
In 2021, 24,300 elderly people lived there, or 20.61% of the total population. The percentage of elderly people living in Chorley in recent years has been increasing.
Demographics of Chorley - Gender
There are currently more females than males in Chorley.
58,800 males were living there in 2021 (49.87% of the total).
59,200 females were living there in 2021 (50.21% of the total).
Population statistics by gender for Chorley between 2012 and 2021 are shown in the table below.
| Date | Total | Males | % | Females | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 109,100 | 54,700 | 50.14 | 54,400 | 49.86 |
| 2013 | 110,500 | 55,400 | 50.14 | 55,100 | 49.86 |
| 2014 | 111,600 | 55,900 | 50.09 | 55,800 | 50.00 |
| 2015 | 113,000 | 56,600 | 50.09 | 56,400 | 49.91 |
| 2016 | 114,300 | 57,300 | 50.13 | 57,000 | 49.87 |
| 2017 | 115,800 | 58,000 | 50.09 | 57,800 | 49.91 |
| 2018 | 116,800 | 58,400 | 50.00 | 58,400 | 50.00 |
| 2019 | 118,200 | 59,200 | 50.08 | 59,000 | 49.92 |
| 2020 | 118,900 | 59,300 | 49.87 | 59,600 | 50.13 |
| 2021 | 117,900 | 58,800 | 49.87 | 59,200 | 50.21 |
2021 Census - Chorley
The census is a snapshot of the nation that includes important data on population figures and social changes.
The UK has conducted a national census every ten years (with several exceptions), starting in 1801.
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 nation. The census data is used by the authorities to plan and deliver public services, develop regulations, and allocate funds.
The most recent UK census took place in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland on March 21, 2021. Scotland delayed the census to 2022 due to the pandemic.
Statistics from the 2021 Census (for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland) will be released in summer 2022.
The census prior to this was held in 2011. Data about Chorley is below.
2011 Census Data - Resident Population of Chorley
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 Chorley was 107,155.
The number of males living in Chorley was 53,708 (50.12% of the total resident population). The number of females was 53,447 (49.88% of the total resident population).
Population Density
Chorley covers an area of 20,280 hectares. The population density was 5.28 persons per hectare.
2011 Census Data - Ethnic Groups in Chorley
Whites were the largest ethnic group in Chorley. 103,833 (96.90%) of the total population of 107,155 identified as white.
Chorley has a higher percentage white population than the average for England (85.42%).
Asians were the second-largest ethnic group in Chorley. 1,710 (1.60%) of the population identified as Asian.
Chorley has a lower percentage Asian population than the average for England (7.82%).
| Ethnicity | Number | % |
|---|---|---|
| White | 103,833 | 96.90 |
| Mixed | 1,016 | 0.95 |
| Asian | 1,710 | 1.60 |
| Black | 401 | 0.37 |
| Total | 107,155 | 100.00 |
2011 Census Data - Religion in Chorley
Christians were the largest religious group in Chorley. 80,732 (75.34%) of the total population of 107,155 identified as Christian.
Chorley has a higher percentage Christian population than the average for England (59.38%).
Muslims were the second-largest religious group in Chorley. 1,130 (1.05%) of the population identified as Muslim.
Chorley has a lower percentage Muslim population than the average for England (5.02%).
| Religion | Number | % |
|---|---|---|
| Christian | 80,732 | 75.34 |
| Muslim | 1,130 | 1.05 |
| Hindu | 196 | 0.18 |
| Buddhist | 275 | 0.26 |
| Sikh | 18 | 0.02 |
| Jewish | 45 | 0.04 |
| Other | 337 | 0.31 |
| No Religion | 18,418 | 17.19 |
| Religion Not Stated | 6,004 | 5.60 |
| Total | 107,155 | 100.00 |
2011 Census Data - Resident Population of Chorley - Country of Birth
103,230 (96.34%) of the 107,155 residents of Chorley were born in the UK; 100,281 in England, 1,613 in Scotland, 726 in Wales, and 606 in Northern Ireland.
454 (0.42%) were born in the Republic of Ireland, 1,340 (1.25%) in other EU countries, and 2,131 (1.99%) in other countries.
| Country of Birth | Number | % |
|---|---|---|
| England | 100,281 | 93.58 |
| Scotland | 1,613 | 1.51 |
| Wales | 726 | 0.68 |
| Northern Ireland | 606 | 0.57 |
| Republic of Ireland | 454 | 0.42 |
| Other EU | 1,340 | 1.25 |
| Other Countries | 2,131 | 1.99 |
Location and Transport
Chorley is a town and borough in central Lancashire. The town itself lies between Preston and Bolton.
The borough is bordered by South Ribble, Blackburn with Darwen, Bolton, Wigan, and West Lancashire.
Chorley enjoys excellent connections to the national motorway network. The M6, M61, and M65 motorways all pass through the borough.
Train stations in Chorley are Adlington, Buckshaw Parkway, Chorley, Croston, and Euxton Balshaw Lane.
Chorley is located in the town centre and is the busiest station.
