Luton is a town and borough in Bedfordshire, South East England.
The current population of Luton is 236,380. It is one of the most populated towns in the United Kingdom.
Luton grew rapidly in the 20th century. In 1891 the population of the town was around 20,000. By 2001 it was over 184,000.
Hatmaking was once a major industry in Luton. Luton Town Football Club are nicknamed ‘The Hatters’ due to the connection.
In 1905 Vauxhall Motors opened a car plant in Luton. Initially, the factory and associated businesses drew Irish and Scottish workers to the town. These were followed, in the second half of the 20th century, by Asian and Afro-Caribbean immigrants.
Large-scale immigration means that Luton today has an ethnically diverse population. The white population of the town is well below the UK average.
Current Population Statistics
According to data from the UK's Office for National Statistics (ONS), the current population of Luton is 236,380.
As of , the latest ONS statistics are for 2025.
Population statistics for Luton between 2016 and 2025, split by age group, are shown in the table below.
| Year | Total Population of Luton | 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+ % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 220,952 | 52,445 | 23.74 | 142,832 | 64.64 | 25,675 | 11.62 |
| 2017 | 220,752 | 52,787 | 23.91 | 142,126 | 64.38 | 25,839 | 11.70 |
| 2018 | 221,532 | 52,862 | 23.86 | 142,659 | 64.40 | 26,011 | 11.74 |
| 2019 | 223,106 | 52,804 | 23.67 | 144,092 | 64.58 | 26,210 | 11.75 |
| 2020 | 224,132 | 52,997 | 23.65 | 144,933 | 64.66 | 26,202 | 11.69 |
| 2021 | 224,958 | 52,417 | 23.30 | 146,097 | 64.94 | 26,444 | 11.76 |
| 2022 | 227,839 | 52,510 | 23.05 | 148,658 | 65.25 | 26,671 | 11.71 |
| 2023 | 233,813 | 53,012 | 22.67 | 153,942 | 65.84 | 26,859 | 11.49 |
| 2024 | 238,047 | 53,836 | 22.62 | 156,965 | 65.94 | 27,246 | 11.45 |
| 2025 | 236,380 | 53,124 | 22.47 | 155,546 | 65.80 | 27,710 | 11.72 |
Population Growth
As can be seen from the data in the table above, the population of Luton increased from 220,952 in 2016 to 236,380 in 2025.
This represents a population growth rate of 6.98%.
Demographics of Luton - Age Groups
In 2016, 52,445 children lived in Luton; 23.74% of the total population.
In 2025, 53,124 children lived there, which was 22.47% of the total population. The percentage of children living in Luton in recent years has been falling.
In 2016, 142,832 adults lived in Luton, representing 64.64% of the total population.
In 2025, 155,546 adults lived there, representing 65.80% of the total population. The percentage of adults living in Luton in recent years has been increasing.
In 2016, 25,675 elderly people lived in Luton, 11.62% of the total population.
In 2025, 27,710 elderly people lived there, or 11.72% of the total population. The percentage of elderly people living in Luton in recent years has been increasing.
Demographics of Luton - Gender
There are currently more males than females in Luton.
121,657 males were living there in 2025 (51.47% of the total).
114,723 females were living there in 2025 (48.53% of the total).
Population statistics by gender for Luton between 2016 and 2025 are shown in the table below.
| Date | Total | Males | % | Females | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 220,952 | 110,430 | 49.98 | 110,522 | 50.02 |
| 2017 | 220,752 | 110,347 | 49.99 | 110,405 | 50.01 |
| 2018 | 221,532 | 110,497 | 49.88 | 111,035 | 50.12 |
| 2019 | 223,106 | 111,535 | 49.99 | 111,571 | 50.01 |
| 2020 | 224,132 | 112,162 | 50.04 | 111,970 | 49.96 |
| 2021 | 224,958 | 112,676 | 50.09 | 112,282 | 49.91 |
| 2022 | 227,839 | 115,019 | 50.48 | 112,820 | 49.52 |
| 2023 | 233,813 | 119,140 | 50.96 | 114,673 | 49.04 |
| 2024 | 238,047 | 121,950 | 51.23 | 116,097 | 48.77 |
| 2025 | 236,380 | 121,657 | 51.47 | 114,723 | 48.53 |
2021 Census - Luton
The census is a valuable source of information about the nation, providing statistics on population sizes and social trends.
In the UK, there is a census every 10 years.
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).
The census data provides a detailed view of the nation. Census data plays an important part in planning and delivering government services, developing laws, and allocating funds.
The 2021 Census took place on 21 March 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 previous census was in 2011. Demographic information for Luton is shown below.
2011 Census Data - Resident Population of Luton
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 Luton was 203,201.
The number of males living in Luton was 101,954 (50.17% of the total resident population). The number of females was 101,247 (49.83% of the total resident population).
Population Density
Luton covers an area of 4,335 hectares. The population density was 46.87 persons per hectare.
2011 Census Data - Ethnic Groups in Luton
Whites were the largest ethnic group in Luton. 111,079 (54.66%) of the total population of 203,201 identified as white.
Luton has a lower percentage white population than the average for England (85.42%).
Asians were the second-largest ethnic group in Luton. 60,952 (30.00%) of the population identified as Asian.
Luton has a higher percentage Asian population than the average for England (7.82%).
| Ethnicity | Number | % |
|---|---|---|
| White | 111,079 | 54.66 |
| Mixed | 8,281 | 4.08 |
| Asian | 60,952 | 30.00 |
| Black | 19,909 | 9.80 |
| Total | 203,201 | 100.00 |
2011 Census Data - Religion in Luton
Christians were the largest religious group in Luton. 96,271 (47.38%) of the total population of 203,201 identified as Christian.
Luton has a lower percentage Christian population than the average for England (59.38%).
Muslims were the second-largest religious group in Luton. 49,991 (24.60%) of the population identified as Muslim.
Luton has a higher percentage Muslim population than the average for England (5.02%).
| Religion | Number | % |
|---|---|---|
| Christian | 96,271 | 47.38 |
| Muslim | 49,991 | 24.60 |
| Hindu | 6,749 | 3.32 |
| Buddhist | 652 | 0.32 |
| Sikh | 2,347 | 1.16 |
| Jewish | 326 | 0.16 |
| Other | 898 | 0.44 |
| No Religion | 33,594 | 16.53 |
| Religion Not Stated | 12,373 | 6.09 |
| Total | 203,201 | 100.00 |
2011 Census Data - Resident Population of Luton - Country of Birth
140,329 (69.06%) of the 203,201 residents of Luton were born in the UK; 136,107 in England, 2,360 in Scotland, 923 in Wales, and 889 in Northern Ireland.
4,754 (2.34%) were born in the Republic of Ireland, 13,813 (6.80%) in other EU countries, and 44,305 (21.80%) in other countries.
| Country of Birth | Number | % |
|---|---|---|
| England | 136,107 | 66.98 |
| Scotland | 2,360 | 1.16 |
| Wales | 923 | 0.45 |
| Northern Ireland | 889 | 0.44 |
| Republic of Ireland | 4,754 | 2.34 |
| Other EU | 13,813 | 6.80 |
| Other Countries | 44,305 | 21.80 |
Location and Transport
Luton is located about 30 miles northwest of Central London.
The town lies on the M1, the motorway connecting Leeds to London. Other destinations on the M1 include Sheffield, Derby, Nottingham, Leicester, Northampton, and Milton Keynes.
Luton has good rail links. Train stations in the town are Luton, Luton Airport Parkway, and Leagrave.
London Luton Airport is just east of the town centre.
