Facts & figures
Population
The resident population of Leicester at the time of the 2001 Census was 279,921, of which 48 per cent were male and 52 per cent female.
| Total number of people | 279,921 |
Males | 134,782 |
Females | 145,139 |
Aged 0 to 15 | 62,385 |
Aged 16 to 74 | 198,922 |
Aged 75 + | 18,614 |
Change since 1991 | -1,500 |
Number of people per hectare | 38.2 |
Marital status (all people aged 16 and over)
| Single people (never married) | 79,970 |
| Married or re-married people | 97,540 |
| Separated or divorced | 21,960 |
| Widowed | 18,066 |
Transport (all households)
| Households without car/van | 42,588 |
| Household with 1 car or van | 49,379 |
| Household with 2 or more cars/vans | 19,181 |
Housing (all households)
| Number of households with residents | 111,148 |
| Average household size | 2.46 |
| Owner-occupied properties | 64,387 |
| One person households | 36,179 |
| Married couple households | 33,817 |
| Cohabiting couple households | 8,849 |
Lone parent households: | |
| with dependent children | 9,669 |
| with non-dependent children only | 3,735 |
| All other households | 18,899 |
Ethnic Group (all people)
| White: British | 169,456 |
| White: Irish | 3,602 |
| White: Other White | 5,681 |
| Mixed: White and Black Caribbean | 2,841 |
| Mixed: White and Black African | 539 |
| Mixed: White and Asian | 1,908 |
| Mixed: Other Mixed | 1,218 |
| Asian or Asian British: Indian | 72,033 |
| Asian or Asian British: Pakistani | 4,276 |
| Asian or Asian British: Bangladeshi | 1,926 |
| Asian or Asian British: Other Asian | 5,516 |
| Black or Black British: Caribbean | 4,610 |
| Black or Black British: African | 3,432 |
| Black or Black British: Other Black | 553 |
| Chinese | 1,426 |
| Other Ethnic Groups | 904 |
Place of birth (all people)
| Born in UK | 215,361 |
| Born elsewhere in EU (inc Rep Ireland) | 5,685 |
| Born outside EU | 58,875 |
Religion (all people)
| Buddhist | 638 |
| Christian | 125,187 |
| Hindu | 41,248 |
| Jewish | 417 |
| Muslim | 30,885 |
| Sikh | 11,796 |
| Other | 1,179 |
| No religion | 48,789 |
| Religion not stated | 19,782 |
Health (all people)
| Limiting long-term illness | 52,500 |
| General health 'not good' | 28,670 |
| People providing unpaid care | 26,868 |
| Providing unpaid care 50 or more hours/week | 6,328 |
Work (all people aged 16-74)
| Employed | 105,406 |
| Unemployed | 9,704 |
| Long-term unemployed | 2,861 |
| Student (economically active) | 7,765 |
| Student (economically inactive) | 17,450 |
| Retired | 21,565 |
| Looking after home/family | 14,916 |
| Permanently sick or disabled | 12,829 |
| Other inactive | 9,287 |
Travel to work (all people aged 16-74 in employment)
| Travel to work by car | 61,435 |
| Travel to work by public transport | 17,991 |
Qualifications (all people aged 16-74)
Qualifications at degree level or higher | 33,345 |
No qualifications | 76,632 |
Universities
Founded on 1921, the University of Leicester was granted its Royal Charter conferring University status in 1957. The University has over 75 years' experience in delivering high quality degree courses and undertaking pioneering research.
It has around 16,000 students, 7,000 of whom are full-time undergraduates.
The University has an international reputation that attracts students from more than 100 countries.
De Montfort University operates at two centres – in Leicester and Bedford – providing six faculties that offer over 400 courses.
The University tutors more than 23,000 students and employs around 3,500 members of staff.
Leicester Employers (information correct May 2005)
| Business Name | number of employees | District |
| Arriva Fox County | 3000 | Charnwood |
| Alliance & Leicester | 1850 | Blaby |
| Royal Mail Leicester | 1800 | Leicester |
| Goldsmiths Group | 1800 | Leicester |
| Globus Office World | 1515 | Leicester |
| Next Retail Limited | 1500 | Blaby |
| British Gas | 1500 | Leicester |
| Walkers Snack Foods | 1500 | Leicester |
| Asda Stores | 1000 | Harborough |
The Size of Leicester
The area of Leicester is:
- 7,309 hectares OR
- 73.09 square kilometres OR
- 28.22 square miles OR
- 18,060 acres
The geographical centre of Leicester is just off Humberstone Gate, about 143 metres from the Clock Tower.