The latest batch of Census data has been released, and while we don't have a full picture of all answers yet, there is plenty to dive into in what we now know about our town.

The Census informs local and central government's data and funding budgets. Most Congletonians took the survey on March 21 2021, when this information was accurate.

Here's ten Congleton takeaways from the latest Census data:

1. The population of Congleton at the last three Censuses are as follows: 25,510 (2001), 26,178 (2011), 28,379 (2021).
2. Religion discrepancies: An area in Congleton has seen Christianity fall to under 50 per cent for the first time. You are least likely to believe in Jesus and God if you live in Buglawton, with 47.2% of respondents identifying as Christian. 52.4% of Congleton Town residents are, meanwhile marginally above them for Christian believers is Congleton West Heath at 56.7%. 60% of Hightown, Mossley and Timbersbrook residents are Christian, but this high figure is eclipsed by the rural and retiree-hub of Cranage and Goostrey which has a 59.8% Christian population. By 2031, it is likely the no religion group will take over the Christian ward in Buglawton, as just over two per cent separates those who don't believe in a faith (41.5&) to the dominant religion of Christianity. Discounting the areligious, Islam is the second most prevalent religion in Congleton, in line with national trends.
3. One fifth of Buglawton residents aged 16 and over have no qualifications (20.3%). However, this figure is still outstripped by those who have a level 4 qualification at 27.3% (higher apprentice ship or at least one year of university).
4. The highest rate of those out of work, and not looking for work is in Hightown, Mossley and Timbersbrook. 41.7% describe themselves as 'economically inactive'. As one would suspect, the highest incidence of employment (61.7% in work or actively looking for a new job) is in the town centre, which has the highest population density (2842 people per square km) and is the centre of our town's economy. However, it must be noted that these answers were given during the tail end of the third COVID lockdown, so their employment situation could have since changed.
5. Amid the cost of living crisis, it may be alarming to know that Congleton Town still has 1.4% of houses without central heating.This is 0.4 points above the national average, but two less points than Central Macclesfield at 1.6%. And significantly less from the Cheshire East leaders in this regards which is numerous wards in Crewe. While many choose about whether to heat or eat across the country in times of hardship, some do not even have central heating as an option.
6. Less than a third of houses in Buglawton are owned outright by the people who live in them (30.5%), in the top ten lowest incidences for this factor across Cheshire East. Crewe Town and Victoria Avenue has the lowest outright homeowners in our borough at just 20.0%.
7. Cheshire East is above the national average for homes with four or more bedrooms at 29%, with of 42.9% households in Hightown, Mossley & Timbersbrook meeting this criteria, meaning they are one of the highest areas for four bedroom homes in Cheshire East, alongside Carnage and Goostrey (47%).
8. If you live in the town centre, then you are most likely to have served in the armed forces. 3.4% of Congleton Town residents have previously served in the regular armed forces like the army or navy. This is the highest for any town centre ward in Cheshire East.
9. 91.7% of people in Cheshire East were born in the UK, down from 94.9% in 2011. The latest data suggests 3.9% of people in not born in the UK arriving Cheshire East arriving in the UK between 2011 and 2021. This figure is lower than neighbouring areas such as: High Peak (95.8%), Staffordshire Moorlands (91.7%), Newcastle-under-Lyme (93.2%), Cheshire West and Chester (91.7%). Precise figures for Congleton itself have not been released yet.
10. 14.5% of Cheshire East residents don't own a car, which means Cheshire East has the most car ownership of all our neighbouring counties barring Leek. This figure should come as no surprise given the amount of car shows in our area, in fact a new car shop was approved for Tabley in Cheshire East just last week. But locally, Cranage and Goostrey has the most motor-owners, with only 5.2% of residents not having a car. Despite the one-way streets and pedestrian-nature of the town centre, Congleton Town doesn't have the lowest car ownership in our area (18.3% are carless), that title goes to Buglawton where (19.7%) of respondents don't have a car.

You can explore the full dataset for yourself HERE.

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