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According to Office of National Statistics the population of Essex aged between 0 and 19 was 345,700 in 2020. This equates to 22.8% of the total Essex population. This is lower than the England and Eastern Region averages which are both 23%.

It is estimated that this demographic group will increase by an extra 3% to approximately 357,000 people by 2040. According to Office of National Statistics, the population of people aged 65+ in Essex will increase by 27% by 2035, from 311,300 to approximately 395,000 people.

Essex is divided into 12 districts. Colchester has the largest population of 197,200 people which equates to 13.2% of the total Essex population, followed by Basildon at 12.5% and Chelmsford 12%, whereas Maldon has the lowest population rate.

 

The districts with the highest population rate of 0 to 19-year-olds are in Harlow and Basildon, representing 26% and 25% of their total populations, with only 20% in Maldon and 19% in Tendring.

Data: UK Population 2021 ONS

The female population of Essex is 772,600 (51% of total Essex Population) with 21% aged between 0 and 19. The male population is 733,787 (49% of total Essex population) with 24% aged between 0 and 19. 

The table below provides insight into our children and young people across Essex broken down by district, age group and sex. 

District

Under 5

Ages 5-9

Ages 10-19

Total Children

Basildon

12,169

12,527

22,486

47,182

Braintree

8,441

8,977

17,712

35,130

Brentwood

4,261

4,567

8,500

17,328

Castle Point

4,321

4,832

9,703

18,856

Chelmsford

9,853

10,835

20,888

41,576

Colchester

10,690

11,814

22,597

45,101

Epping Forest

7,910

7,588

15,080

30,578

Harlow

6,228

6,612

11,472

24,312

Maldon

3,082

3,423

7,088

13,593

Rochford

4,282

4,644

9,711

18,637

Tendering

6,689

7,511

14,825

29,025

Uttlesford

4,967

5,758

11,116

21,841

 

The graph below shows the split of male and female population aged between 0 to 19 by district level. Which indicates that compared to the total Essex population, the split is 51% male and 49% female.

Children and Young People in Essex Ethnicity

Out of the 345,700 children and young people across Essex,  73% of our children and young people are classified with an ethnicity of White British. It is noticed that there is an increase in minority ethnicities closer to London and/or in our higher populated areas. 

Children and Young People in Care Ethnicity

The chart provides a visual representation of the ethnicity of children and young people (excluding Separated Migrated Children) broken down by district as of the 31st March 2023.

Values under 5% have been removed from graphs

Non Separated Migrated Children (SMC) placements

In Essex the majority of Children in Care have an ethnicity of White. 73% of the Essex children and young people’s population are classified as White, British.

Urban areas of Essex or that are closer to London have a higher level of ethnic diversity. Which reflects across our looked after children placements.

Where there is no sign of other than white, the numbers are low and so have been removed.

 

Separated Migrated Children placements

Due to low numbers, this information will not be provided.

Non Separated Migrated Children placements

As of the 31st March 2023 the average age of child in care excluding separated migrated children was 10.7 years. The average age differs across our placement types. The average age for a child within a placement with  a family is 10.25 years and children. 

Where a children is a within a non family setting, on average the young persons is 15.6 years. The average age in both Mainstream, and Children with Disability Residential placements is older than fostering at 13.7 and 14.7 years respectively.

Supported Accommodation and Supported Lodgings placements are for 16+ year olds, and the average age in these placements are 16.5.

Separated Migrated Children placements

The average age of a SMC in care as at 31st March 2023 was 16.5 year.  Over 75% of SMC children and young people were placed in Supported Accommodation or Supported Lodgings. A small proportion of SMC, who are under the age of 16 were in fostering placements, aged on average 15.5.

This table shows the average age for non separated migrated children placement

Placement Type

Average of Age

Fostering (In-House)

9.4

Fostering (IFA)

11.6

Fostering (Kinship)

8.9

Supported Accommodation

16.4

Residential (Mainstream)

13.7

Residential (CWD)

14.7

Placed for adoption

3.5

Placed at home

11.1

Supported lodgings

16.5

Family centre or mother and baby unit

0.0

NHA/health trust or other establishment providing medical or nursing care

16.5

Secure

17.0
This table shows the average age for separated migrated children placement

Placement Type

Average of Age

Supported Accommodation

16.7

Fostering (IFA)

15.5

Supported lodgings

16.5

Fostering (In-House)

15.6

Fostering (Kinship)

17.0

Non Separated Migrated Child placements

As of the 31st March 2023, it is noted that on average there are an proportionately equal number of boys and girls in care except for the 17 year old age range where boys represent a high number of young people in care compared to girls within the same age bracket. 

Volume of CYP by Age and Sex- Excluding SMC

The diagram below shows a visual presentation of the number of placements broken down by age and sex.

Separated Migrated Children placements

As of the 31st March 2023 96% of Separated Migrant Children are male.  A small number of Separated Migrant Children are aged below 16 however over 90% of looked after children are aged 16 and 17.

Volume of SMC in Care by Age and Sex

The diagram below shows a visual representation of the number of placements broken down by age and sex.

Last updated: 28/03/2024
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