List of English districts by population facts for kids

England is divided into many different local areas called districts. These districts are like local neighborhoods or towns, and they help manage things like schools, parks, and local services for the people living there. This page lists these districts based on how many people live in them, from the most populated to the least. The numbers come from the Office for National Statistics, which collects information about people in the UK.

There are several types of districts in England, each with a slightly different way of being managed. These include:

• Non-metropolitan districts: These are common in less densely populated areas.
• London boroughs: These are the special districts that make up Greater London.
• Metropolitan boroughs: These are found in large city areas outside London, like Manchester or Birmingham.
• Unitary authorities: These are districts that handle all local government services themselves, instead of sharing with a county council.
• Sui generis authorities: This is a fancy Latin term meaning "of its own kind." There are only two of these: the City of London and the Isles of Scilly, because they have unique ways of being governed.

This map shows how England is divided into different local areas.

Understanding England's Local Areas

England is split into many smaller areas called districts. Think of them as local councils that look after your neighborhood. They handle important things like collecting rubbish, maintaining local roads, and providing libraries and community centers. Each district has a local government that makes decisions for the people living there.

Different Types of Districts

Not all districts are the same! They are organized in different ways depending on their size and location.

• Metropolitan Boroughs are found in big cities like Birmingham or Leeds. These areas are very busy and have a lot of people.
• London Boroughs are the 32 special districts that make up the huge city of London. Each one manages its own part of the capital.
• Unitary Authorities are districts that do everything themselves. They don't share responsibilities with a larger county council. This means they handle all local services, from education to social care. Examples include Bristol and Cornwall.
• Non-Metropolitan Districts are usually smaller areas, often found in more rural parts of England. They work alongside a county council, which handles some of the bigger services for the whole county.
• Sui Generis Authorities are very unique. There are only two: the City of London (the historic heart of London) and the Isles of Scilly (a small group of islands off the coast of Cornwall). They have their own special rules because they are so different from other areas.

How We Know the Numbers

The population numbers for these districts come from the Office for National Statistics. This is a government group that collects lots of information about people in the UK. They use surveys and other data to estimate how many people live in each area every year. This helps the government understand where people live and what services are needed.

England's Most Populous Districts

Here's a look at some of the most populated districts in England. You'll see how many people live in each, what type of district it is, and which larger county and region it belongs to.

See also

• List of two-tier counties of England by population
• List of ceremonial counties of England by population
• List of English districts by area
• List of English districts and their ethnic composition
• List of English districts by population density
• List of districts in south east England by population
• List of towns and cities in England by population