Blackburn with Darwen population, 2001–2024
Blackburn with Darwen has an estimated population of 162,540 (mid-2024), up 17.4% since 2001. Official ONS mid-year estimates for the Blackburn with Darwen local authority area.
162,540
population, mid-2024
+17.4%
since 2001
+8.7%
last 10 years
2024
peak year (162,540)
Year by year
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 162,540 | +2.1% |
| 2023 | 159,189 | +1.9% |
| 2022 | 156,268 | +0.8% |
| 2021 | 154,954 | +0.3% |
| 2020 | 154,564 | +0.3% |
| 2019 | 154,066 | +0.8% |
| 2018 | 152,787 | +0.3% |
| 2017 | 152,312 | +0.5% |
| 2016 | 151,497 | +0.7% |
| 2015 | 150,490 | +0.6% |
| 2014 | 149,579 | +0.3% |
| 2013 | 149,148 | +0.4% |
| 2012 | 148,532 | +0.6% |
| 2011 | 147,657 | +0.5% |
| 2010 | 146,966 | +0.5% |
| 2009 | 146,197 | +0.9% |
| 2008 | 144,902 | +0.7% |
| 2007 | 143,942 | +0.6% |
| 2006 | 143,110 | +0.7% |
| 2005 | 142,145 | +0.5% |
| 2004 | 141,418 | +0.7% |
| 2003 | 140,429 | +0.6% |
| 2002 | 139,538 | +0.8% |
| 2001 | 138,453 | — |
High street businesses
Blackburn with Darwen has 85 hairdressers and beauty salons, 85 pubs and bars, 35 licensed restaurants, 145 takeaways on the ONS business register (2025). Compare across the UK.
Rounded to the nearest 5, which is how ONS protects individual businesses from being identified.
Figures are ONS mid-year population estimates for the Blackburn with Darwen local authority area (code E06000008), which can differ from the population of a town of the same name. Sources & method.
Common questions
What is the population of Blackburn with Darwen?
162,540, on the ONS mid-2024 estimate for the Blackburn with Darwen local authority area. This page charts the full annual series back to 2001, so the figure sits in its twenty-year context rather than alone.
Is Blackburn with Darwen growing or shrinking?
Growing: up 17.4% since 2001, from 138,453 to 162,540. The peak year in the series so far is 2024. Year-by-year figures and the chart are on this page.