Lancaster population, 2001–2024
Lancaster has an estimated population of 145,006 (mid-2024), up 8.2% since 2001. Official ONS mid-year estimates for the Lancaster local authority area.
145,006
population, mid-2024
+8.2%
since 2001
+4.7%
last 10 years
2023
peak year (145,056)
Year by year
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 145,006 | -0.0% |
| 2023 | 145,056 | +0.5% |
| 2022 | 144,366 | +1.4% |
| 2021 | 142,351 | +1.0% |
| 2020 | 140,881 | +0.8% |
| 2019 | 139,795 | +0.6% |
| 2018 | 138,995 | +0.2% |
| 2017 | 138,678 | +0.1% |
| 2016 | 138,572 | +0.3% |
| 2015 | 138,102 | -0.3% |
| 2014 | 138,469 | -0.2% |
| 2013 | 138,695 | +0.2% |
| 2012 | 138,452 | +0.5% |
| 2011 | 137,823 | +0.5% |
| 2010 | 137,120 | +0.8% |
| 2009 | 136,013 | +0.1% |
| 2008 | 135,812 | -0.3% |
| 2007 | 136,235 | -0.3% |
| 2006 | 136,682 | -0.1% |
| 2005 | 136,764 | +1.0% |
| 2004 | 135,472 | +0.6% |
| 2003 | 134,635 | +0.8% |
| 2002 | 133,628 | -0.3% |
| 2001 | 134,049 | — |
High street businesses
Lancaster has 85 hairdressers and beauty salons, 100 pubs and bars, 50 licensed restaurants, 105 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 Lancaster local authority area (code E07000121), which can differ from the population of a town of the same name. Sources & method.
Common questions
What is the population of Lancaster?
145,006, on the ONS mid-2024 estimate for the Lancaster 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 Lancaster growing or shrinking?
Growing: up 8.2% since 2001, from 134,049 to 145,006. The peak year in the series so far is 2023. Year-by-year figures and the chart are on this page.