About the Somerset Profile
The Somerset Profile provides an overview of Somerset and the communities that live here. It brings together key information about the county, including population, protected characteristics, armed forces communities, unpaid carers, rurality and different geographical areas across Somerset.
The profile is designed to help people understand Somerset better. It provides a shared evidence base that can be used by the council, partners, community groups, and residents to support planning, decision-making, and service delivery. It is based on data from the 2021 Census and the Office for National Statistics (ONS). These datasets provide detailed insight into the characteristics of people and households across Somerset, such as age, ethnicity, deprivation, etc. helping to build a fuller picture of the opportunities and challenges across the county and how needs may vary between different communities.
By bringing this information together in one place and making it easy to access, the Somerset Profile supports transparency and helps ensure that policies, services and strategies are informed by robust evidence and local insight.
Somerset Intelligence – Census 2021 information
Population bases used for the Somerset Profile are:
- All ages: 571,549
- Aged 16 and over: 474,940
You can find a breakdown of statistics for each of the protected characteristics below.
Age
Somerset has a significantly older population profile compared with regional and national averages.
| Age group | % of population | Estimated number |
|---|---|---|
| Age groupAged 0 to 9 | % of population10.07% | Estimated number57,579 |
| Age groupAged 10 to 19 | % of population10.93% | Estimated number62,451 |
| Age groupAged 20 to 29 | % of population9.88% | Estimated number56,495 |
| Age groupAged 30 to 39 | % of population11.30% | Estimated number64,596 |
| Age groupAged 40 to 49 | % of population11.41% | Estimated number65,216 |
| Age groupAged 50 to 59 | % of population14.83% | Estimated number87,763 |
| Age groupAged 60 to 69 | % of population13.06% | Estimated number74,689 |
| Age groupAged 70 to 79 | % of population11.75% | Estimated number67,147 |
| Age groupAged 80 and over | % of population6.76% | Estimated number38,613 |
| Age groupTotal | % of population100% | Estimated number571,549 |
Age key points
- Around one quarter of residents are aged 65 and over.
- The largest population cohorts are in the 50 to 59 age bands.
- There is a dip in the late teens and early twenties, reflecting outward migration for education and employment.
Disability
Census 2021 asked whether residents have a long-term health condition or disability and whether this limits day-to-day activities. Limiting conditions generally meet the Equality Act 2010 definition of disability.
Disability status
- Day-to-day activities limited by disability or long-term condition: Estimated number is 106,900 which is 18.7%
- Long-term condition, but activities not limited: Estimated number 45,150 which is 7.9%
- No long-term condition or disability: Estimated number is 419,500 which is 73.4%
Disability key points
- Nearly one in five residents are disabled under Equality Act definitions.
- Numbers have increased since 2011, reflecting population growth and ageing, although the overall proportion is broadly stable.
Gender reassignment
For the first time, Census 2021 asked people aged 16 and over whether their gender identity is the same as their sex registered at birth. The question was voluntary.
Gender identity response
- Gender identity differs from sex registered at birth: Estimated number 1662 which is 0.35%
- Did not respond: Estimated number was 27,072 which was 5.7%
Gender identity key points
- Over 1,600 Somerset residents reported a gender identity different from their sex registered at birth.
- Non-response levels reflect the sensitivity and voluntary nature of the question.
Marriage and civil partnership
This applies only to people who are married or in a civil partnership.
Legal partnership status (aged 16 and over)
- Never married and never registered a civil partnership: Estimated number 147,231 which is 31.0%
- Married: Estimated number 230,821 which is 48.6%
- In a registered partnership: Estimated number over 1000
Legal partnership key points
- Almost one third of adults have never married or civil partnered, up from 27.8% in 2011.
- Marriage remains the most common legal partnership status.
- Civil partnerships have increased significantly since 2011, though a precise percentage is not published.
Pregnancy and maternity
There is no direct Census question identifying pregnancy or maternity status. Evidence is based on births and demographic context.
Pregnancy and maternity – summary indicators
- Total population: 571, 547
- Female population: 292,100 (51%)
- Live births (2021): 5063
- Indicative scale: 5000 births per year
Pregnancy and maternity key points
- Pregnancy and maternity affect a relatively small but legally protected group.
- Somerset’s older age profile contributes to lower birth numbers compared with younger areas.
- Rurality can increase access barriers to maternity and post-natal services.
Race and ethnic group
This includes ethnic or national origins
| Ethnic group | % | Estimated number |
|---|---|---|
| Ethnic groupWhite | %96.4% | Estimated number550,971 |
| Ethnic groupAsian, Asian British or Asian Welsh | %1.5% | Estimated number8573 |
| Ethnic groupMixed or multiple ethnic groups | %1.3% | Estimated number7430 |
| Ethnic groupBlack, Black British, Caribbean or African | %0.4% | Estimated number2286 |
| Ethnic groupOther ethnic groups | %0.4% | Estimated number2288 |
| Ethnic groupTotal | %100% | Estimated number571,549 |
Race and ethnic key points
- Somerset is less ethnically diverse than England overall.
- Around 3.6% of residents identify as from ethnic groups other than White, with gradual growth since 2011.
Religion or belief
| Religion or belief | % | Estimated number |
|---|---|---|
| Religion or beliefChristian | %50.2% | Estimated number286,700 |
| Religion or beliefNo religion | %41.5% | Estimated number237,200 |
| Religion or beliefBuddist | %0.34% | Estimated number1940 |
| Religion or beliefHindu | %0.19% | Estimated number1090 |
| Religion or beliefJewish | %0.08% | Estimated number460 |
| Religion or beliefMuslim | %0.45% | Estimated number2570 |
| Religion or beliefSikh | %0.03% | Estimated number170 |
| Religion or beliefOther religion | %0.62% | Estimated number3540 |
| Religion or beliefNot stated | %6.5% | Estimated number37,400 |
| Religion or beliefTotal | %100% | Estimated number571,549 |
Religion and belief key points
- Somerset has a high proportion of residents reporting no religion.
- Non-Christian faith groups form a small but significant population.
Sex
Sex profile (all ages)
- Female: Estimated number 292,100 which is 51%
- Male: Estimated number is 49% which is 49%
- Total: 571,549
Sex key points
- There are 12,653 more women than men in Somerset.
- The difference is driven by older age groups, reflecting longer female life expectancy.
Sexual orientation
Census 2021 asked people aged 16+ (voluntarily) about sexual orientation.
| Sexual orientation | % | Estimated number |
|---|---|---|
| Sexual orientationStraight/Heterosexual | %90.0% | Estimated number427,446 |
| Sexual orientationGay or Lesbian | %1.2% | Estimated number5699 |
| Sexual orientationBisexual | %1.1% | Estimated number5224 |
| Sexual orientationPansexual | %0.2% | Estimated number950 |
| Sexual orientationOther than Straight/Heterosexual (total) | %2.5% | Estimated number11,874 |
| Sexual orientationDid not respond | %7.5% | Estimated number35,620 |
Sexual orientation key points
- Around 1 in 40 adults identify with a sexual orientation other than Straight/Heterosexual.
- Non-response reflects the voluntary nature of the question.
Armed Forces Veterans (all ages)
Armed Forces veterans status
- 4.9% of population
- Estimated number: 27,902
Armed Forces veterans key points
- Higher concentrations in South Somerset and Somerset West and Taunton
Unpaid carers (all ages)
Unpaid carer status
- Provides unpaid care: Estimated number 56,000 which is 9.8%
- Does not provide unpaid care: 515,500 which is 90.2%
Unpaid carers key points
- Closely linked to Somerset’s older population profile
Rurality (Somerset overall)
Area and classification
- Somerset rural: Estimated population 274,343 which is 48% of the population
- Somerset urban: Estimated population 297,204 which is 52% of the population
Somerset total: Estimated population 571,547
Rurality key points
- Rurality shapes access to services, transport, employment and digital connectivity, and is therefore an important contextual factor in equality and needs assessments.
- Rural areas in Somerset tend to have older population profiles, which links closely to higher levels of disability and unpaid care identified elsewhere in Census data.
Geographical patch (Districts)
This covers population and % of Somerset (Census 2021).
District and population
- Mendip: Population 116,100 which is 20.3% of Somerset
- Sedgemoor: Population 125,400 which is 21.9% of Somerset
- South Somerset: Population172,700 which is 30.2% of Somerset
- Somerset and West Taunton: Population 157,400 which is 27.5% of Somerset
Total of districts: Population 571,600
Geographical patch key points
- South Somerset is the most populous district, accounting for around 30% of Somerset’s population.
- Somerset West and Taunton accounts for just over a quarter of residents, making it the second largest district by population.
- Mendip and Sedgemoor each represent roughly one fifth of the population, demonstrating variation in population size and distribution across the county.