Birmingham Population | Growth, Density & Home Ownership Statistics
Birmingham is changing. You can see it in the city's skyline, feel it in the buzzing central districts, and notice it in the expanding communities across the suburbs.
The 2021 Census confirmed what many residents already sensed, Birmingham is growing steadily, with its population increasing by 6.7% since 2011. That's over 1.14 million people now calling the UK's second city home.
What makes Birmingham fascinating is its housing balance. While 53.5% of households own their homes (either outright or with a mortgage), a substantial 46.5% rent - significantly higher than the national average but not reaching the rental dominance seen in Manchester or London. Buy-to-let in Birmingham creates an interesting sweet spot for property investors, with strong rental demand alongside more affordable entry prices, of course cheaper than London and surprisingly slightly more affordable house prices than Manchester.
Walking through Birmingham reveals striking contrasts in how people live. Dense areas like Small Heath (B10) pack in over 24,000 people per square mile, while leafy Sutton Coldfield (B75) offers a much more spacious living environment with just under 3,000 people per square mile. These variations create diverse opportunities for different types of investment strategies.
For landlords and investors, understanding these population patterns isn't just about numbers. It's about spotting where Birmingham's next growth areas might emerge. The city's relatively balanced housing market suggests sustainable demand without the overheating seen in some UK property hotspots that have had significant house price growth recently (including some of the cheapest places to live in England).
We've gathered detailed population and housing data across all Birmingham postcodes below, giving you a clear picture of the city's demographic landscape. Whether you're considering your first investment property, new to buy-to-let and learning on a property course or expanding an existing portfolio, these insights will help you make more informed decisions.
Article updated: April 2025.
Birmingham Population & Housing: Key Statistics
- Birmingham's population reached 1,144,919 residents in the 2021 Census, marking a 6.70% growth since 2011 (compared to the West Midlands' 6.20% and England's 6.60% growth).
- Homeownership in Birmingham stands at 53.5% (owned outright or with a mortgage), lower than the 62.3% average across England and 63.6% in the West Midlands.
- Renting is split between social and private sectors: 23.0% of households rent privately (vs. 20.6% nationally) and 23.5% rent socially (vs. 17.1% nationally).
- The city's overall population density is 4,275 people per square kilometre, substantially higher than the West Midlands (457) and England (433) averages.
- The most densely populated postcode areas include B10 (Small Heath) (24,110 people/sq mile), B11 (Sparkhill) (18,779 people/sq mile), and B19 (Lozells) (22,312 people/sq mile).
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by Robert Jones, Founder of Property Investments UK
With two decades in UK property, Rob has been investing in buy-to-let since 2005, and uses property data to develop tools for property market analysis.
Property Data Sources
Our location guide relies on authoritative datasets including:
Demographic data may not be updated until the next national Government Census, however we check our population statistics with latest Government publications annually to ensure accuracy and check for any changes. Last update: April 2025. Next update: April 2026. All data is presented as provided by our sources without adjustments or amendments.
Birmingham Population Statistics Finder
Select your region to find statistics about Birmingham's local population and housing tenure. Perfect for investors, landlords, researchers, journalists, and market analysts looking to understand Birmingham's demographic landscape.
Your population and housing statistics will appear here after selecting a region and area.
About Birmingham Population Data
This tool provides comprehensive population statistics for Birmingham based on the 2021 Census data. It includes population figures, housing tenure information, and demographic trends for Birmingham as a whole and for specific areas within the city.
Important Notes:
- All data is sourced from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
- Population density is measured per square kilometre for local authority and square mile for postcodes.
- Housing tenure percentages show how residents occupy their homes (owned outright, mortgaged, or rented).
- Growth percentages compare 2021 Census data with 2011 Census figures.
Birmingham Population by Postcode
Use this interactive tool to explore and compare Birmingham population statistics by postcodes. Compare population density, household counts, and total population across different Birmingham regions. Data from the 2021 Census.
Showing data for: All Birmingham Regions | Sorted by: Population (High to Low)
| Postcode | Area | Population (2021) | Population Density |
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Birmingham Population by Postcode - Key Insights
Birmingham, the UK's second-largest city, demonstrates significant variations in population density and household patterns across its postcode districts. The 2021 Census data reveals:
- Central Birmingham postcodes (particularly B1-B5) show lower resident populations but often have higher population densities reflecting city centre apartment developments.
- South Birmingham areas tend to have higher overall populations, with B31 (Northfield) being one of the most populous.
- North Birmingham areas like Sutton Coldfield (B72-B75) generally show lower population densities, reflecting more suburban housing patterns.
- The most densely populated areas include Small Heath (B10), Sparkhill (B11), and parts of Central Birmingham.
This tool is particularly valuable for academics, journalists, property investors, urban planners, and businesses targeting specific Birmingham demographics.
Data source: Office for National Statistics (ONS) Census 2021 Housing Tenure data.
Tool © 2025 www.propertyinvestmentsuk.co.uk. Love our Birmingham population by postcode tool? Please share this page with attribution.
Birmingham Population Growth
The total population of Birmingham was 1,144,900 as of the 2021 Birmingham Census.
Birmingham's population has grown by 6.7%, rising from around 1,073,000 in 2011.
This growth rate outpaced the West Midlands region (6.2%) and was similar to England overall (6.6%).
The average (median) age in Birmingham increased from 32 to 34 years between the two censuses. This indicates a notably younger demographic profile compared to both the West Midlands region and England overall, which had median ages of 40 years. Despite the slight increase, Birmingham maintained its position as having the lowest average age in the West Midlands.
Notable age-related changes in Birmingham's population between 2011 and 2021 include:
- The number of residents aged 50-64 years increased by approximately 30,900 (a 20.0% rise)
- The number of children aged 4 years and under decreased by around 6,900 (an 8.4% reduction)
- The proportion of residents aged 50-64 grew by 1.8 percentage points, now representing 16.2% of the population
Population density in Birmingham has also increased, with the area now home to approximately 30.5 people per football pitch-sized piece of land, up from 28.6 in 2011. This makes Birmingham the most densely populated local authority area across the West Midlands.
