Focus On: Population
This theme page brings together sources of population data and information, along with local intelligence that has been produced on the subject, and key population indicators for Lincolnshire, all in one easy to access, easy to navigate place. A selection of useful data are presented in the Population Area Profile at the end of this page.
Importance of Understanding Population
Knowing both the population size and demographic in an area, and understanding how it is changing are both important factors for any organisation operating in that area. This is particularly the case for those delivering services to the populace both now and into the future, and those that need to attract or draw down the right amount of government funding.
The way we live our lives has though changed considerably from a time where people tended to be born, live and die in the same area. Nowadays a more mobile population globally, as well as nationally and locally, for example as a result of work or education, means that producing and interpreting population and migration statistics has become increasingly challenging. The result is that there are both now various and numerous sources of information on population and population change. This can cause confusion as to what figures to use and ultimately lead to mixed messages about Lincolnshire’s population, how it is changing, and what it will look like in the future.
Sources of Population Data and Information
There are a number of sources of population information which are produced by different organisations and in some cases are regularly updated and revised.
So if you want to know:
- the latest count of the population and its demographic then you need to refer to the following sources:
- Mid Year Population Estimate (Office for National Statistics)
- Mid Year Population Estimates by Ethnic Group (Office for National Statistics)
More information regarding the current population and its demographic is presented in the following document ‘Population Trends in Lincolnshire 2010’.
- how the population is projected to look in the future then you need to refer to:
- Sub-national population projections (Office for National Statistics)
More information regarding the sub-national population projection for Lincolnshire can be viewed in the following document ‘2008-based Sub National Population Projections’.
- more about local internal migration then you need to refer to the following sources:
- Mid Year Population Estimates Components of Change (Office for National Statistics)
- NHS Central Register
More information regarding these sources and what they tell us about migration from other areas of the UK into Lincolnshire can be found in the following document ‘Population Trends in Lincolnshire 2010’.
- more about local international migration then you need to refer to the following sources:
- National Insurance Registrations to Overseas Nationals (NINOs – Department for Work and Pensions)
- Worker Registration Scheme (WRS – UK Border Agency)
- Flag 4 registrations (Office for National Statistics)
- Annual Population Survey (Office for National Statistics)
More information regarding these sources and what they tell us about international in-migration into Lincolnshire can be viewed in the following document ‘International Migration in Lincolnshire 2010/11’ . Alternatively refer to the list of key population indicators below for further information.
Focus On:Understanding Lincolnshire's Population
On Friday 9th December 2011 the second of the LROs free ‘Focus On:’ events was held. 'Focus On: Understanding Lincolnshire's Population’ aimed to:
- Remove barriers and encourage effective and confident use of data
- Provide an up-to-date and detailed understanding of Lincolnshire’s population, how it has changed, and what this means for the county now and into the future,
- Highlight the use of local information and intelligence in making informed decisions about potential future population change
- Signpost users to the various sources of population data and intelligence held on the LRO
The presentations from the day are available to view below:
‘Measuring Lincolnshire’s Population’ – provides an overview of the available sources of data and information about population and population change, the most up-to-date available, how to use them, and where these resources are held on the LRO website.
‘Lincolnshire’s Changing Population’ – will be of interest to anyone wanting to know more about the underlying factors that are driving population change, such as migration, and how they are impacting on the demographic of the county population.
‘Lincolnshire’s Population Characteristics’ - will benefit not only those who want to know more than just gender and age information about a population, but also those who want to be able to best identify and target local service provision to communities.
‘Projecting Not Predicting’ – highlights the use of local information and intelligence alongside existing population projections in making informed decisions about how population in an area may actually change over time.