Newly released census data shows how Oldham’s ethnicities have changed over the last 10 years.

Released on Tuesday the data shows how the country looked on Census Day – March 21, 2021.

There have been changes in Oldham’s ethnic makeup over the past 10 years.

In 2011, around 76 per cent of Oldhamers identified as White English, Welsh, Scottish, Northern Irish, or British.

Now, around 65 per cent do – a decrease of just more than 10 percentage points.

Across England, the proportion identifying as such has decreased from 79.8 per cent to 73.5 per cent – a 6.2 percentage point decrease.

In the North West, the change was less than nationwide, decreasing from 87.1 to 81.2 – a 5.9 percentage point decrease.

The largest proportional increase in Oldham came from those identifying as of Pakistani ethnicity – increasing from around 10 per cent of Oldham’s population in 2011 to 13.5 per cent in 2021.

Those of Pakistani heritage make up 2.8 per cent of England’s population, and 1.4 per cent of the North West’s.

Those identifying as of Black African ethnicity now make up 2.5 per cent of the borough’s population, up from 0.7 per cent in 2011. This is still lower than England-wide, where those identifying as Black African make up 2.6 per cent of the population, up from 2.1 per cent in 2011.

In the North West, those identifying as of Black African ethnicity made up 1.7 per cent – up from 0.8 per cent in 2011.

Additionally, Oldhamers of Bangladeshi identity made up 7.3 per cent of the borough in 2011, and now make up nine per cent – an increase of 1.7 percentage points. In England, those of Bangladeshi ethnicity make up just 1.1 per cent of the population, up slightly from 0.8 per cent in 2011.

Across the North West, the proportion of people identifying as of Bangladeshi ethnicity was lower than nationwide, making up just 0.8 per cent of the population, up slightly from 0.7 per cent in 2011.

Councillor Amanda Chadderton, Oldham Council leader, said: “Oldham is a vibrant and diverse borough, and we have a rich history of people from different backgrounds and cultures living and working together.

“We are hugely proud of this as it is a strength to be valued and promoted and it’s great to see from the latest Census data that our country as a whole continues to diversify.”