Oxford population, 2001–2024
Oxford has an estimated population of 166,034 (mid-2024), up 22.5% since 2001. Official ONS mid-year estimates for the Oxford local authority area.
166,034
population, mid-2024
+22.5%
since 2001
+5.4%
last 10 years
2024
peak year (166,034)
Year by year
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 166,034 | +0.4% |
| 2023 | 165,441 | +1.4% |
| 2022 | 163,100 | +1.7% |
| 2021 | 160,379 | +0.2% |
| 2020 | 160,064 | -0.5% |
| 2019 | 160,789 | -0.3% |
| 2018 | 161,342 | +0.4% |
| 2017 | 160,754 | +0.4% |
| 2016 | 160,119 | +1.2% |
| 2015 | 158,156 | +0.4% |
| 2014 | 157,582 | +1.7% |
| 2013 | 154,916 | +1.6% |
| 2012 | 152,407 | +1.4% |
| 2011 | 150,245 | +1.6% |
| 2010 | 147,907 | +1.7% |
| 2009 | 145,478 | +0.7% |
| 2008 | 144,433 | +0.2% |
| 2007 | 144,188 | -0.2% |
| 2006 | 144,513 | -0.6% |
| 2005 | 145,383 | +2.7% |
| 2004 | 141,593 | +1.2% |
| 2003 | 139,917 | +2.4% |
| 2002 | 136,625 | +0.8% |
| 2001 | 135,509 | — |
High street businesses
Oxford has 85 hairdressers and beauty salons, 65 pubs and bars, 110 licensed restaurants, 85 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 Oxford local authority area (code E07000178), which can differ from the population of a town of the same name. Sources & method.
Common questions
What is the population of Oxford?
166,034, on the ONS mid-2024 estimate for the Oxford 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 Oxford growing or shrinking?
Growing: up 22.5% since 2001, from 135,509 to 166,034. The peak year in the series so far is 2024. Year-by-year figures and the chart are on this page.