Runnymede’s Social Characteristics

Runnymede’s population increased by around 7,600 (9.4%) between the last two censuses (held in 2011 and 2021). It is now home to 88,079 residents and 34,841 households (2021 Census), both of which are anticipated to keep growing. This is a greater percentage increase than the overall population in the South East, and that of England.

The largest age cohort is 16-64 year olds, at 65%, which is slightly higher relative to Surrey and England; and the largest ethnic group is ‘White British’, although the ethnic composition of the Borough has been changing, with a slight increase in people identifying their ethnicity in the ‘Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh’ category.

The population profile has remained relatively static over the last ten years with the majority of Runnymede’s residents being ‘working age’, but the population is ageing

Explore Runnymede’s population statistics in more detail on the ONS Census Maps, by entering ‘Runnymede’ in the ‘Area’ field:

• ONS Census Maps - Population

Population Profile Headlines:

Runnymede’s population is growing, standing at 88,100 in 2021 (9.4% increase since 2011). 2024 mid-year estimates put the population at 92,118.

The majority of Runnymede’s population are of ‘working age’: 16-64 years old – relatively stable at 65.35% of the population since the 2011 census.

The most significant rise in the population projection in the 2026-43 period is those aged over 65 years, which represents a growth of 5,729 persons out of a total of 13,626. There are also notable growths in those aged 20-34 (4,530).

Population density in Runnymede has increased and at the 2021 Census was 11.3 people per hectare, compared to 7.2 for Surrey and 4.3 in England. Runnymede was among the top 45% most densely populated English local authority areas in the 2021 Census. Population density in the Royal Holloway University of London area of Englefield Green has increased significantly in the last ten years, as well as at Longcross North.

The population is predominantly of White British ethnicity (72.6%), with Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) groups representing 16.4% of the population (increasing by 5.4% since 2011). There is a slightly higher presence (0.4%) of White Gypsy or Irish Travellers in the Borough relative to the South East (0.2%) and England (0.1%) (2021 Census).

The majority of Runnymede’s residents are Christian (50.1%), and then Muslim (3.2%). Around a third of residents have registered as ‘no religion’ (2021 Census).

What does this mean for the Local Plan?

Housing plays a fundamental part in people’s wellbeing, their employment, health and relationships. The Local Plan should seek to provide for a wide range of housing needs, for different groups of the population, including the Gypsy and Traveller population, and provide the community infrastructure to support this development across the Runnymede area.

Sources of further baseline information:

Detailed baseline information, including population projections and statistics, can be found in:

• Runnymede Housing and Economic Development Needs Assessment (HEDNA)
• Runnymede Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment (GTAA)

Additional baseline information on population and human health, and how this information will inform the new Local Plan, can be found in Chapter 4 of the SA Scoping Report available at Evidence Base weboage.

• Evidence Base

Sources of other useful information:

• Surrey-i insight summary for Runnymede
• ONS ‘How life has changed in Runnymede: Census 2021’ Summary