Bridgwater Population 2023
The latest recorded population of Bridgwater is 41,276. This is from the 2011 census.
Since then the town has seen significant growth, and its population – particularly when counting the estates built just outside of the town – is projected to be higher than 40,000 when the 2021 census results are released in 2022.
It is the fifth largest town or city in the county of Somerset, and the largest in its district of Sedgemoor.
Where is Bridgwater located
Bridgwater is located in the county of Somerset, along the river Parrett. It was well known as a port town for much of its history, but the river is no longer suitable for the larger ships of today.
The town is the the administrative centre of the district of Sedgemoor.
Bridgwater is about 8 miles north west of Taunton, the county town, and 15 miles south of the seaside resort of Weston-Super-Mare. It is close to the Hinkley Point power station, and many of the people involved in the construction of the new Hinkley C reactors live in Bridgwater.
Other nearby cities are Bristol, Bath and Exeter.
Today Bridgwater is notable for the annual Bridgwater Carnival (held in November each year) and Bridgwater Fair (held in September each year).
Bridgwater Population Growth
Bridgwater has been a town since at least the 9th century, when it was mentioned in the Domesday Book.
By 1801 its population had reached 3,634, and rapid growth saw this almost triple to top 10,000 residents for the first time in 1841.
The tables below show population growth in Bridgwater since 1801. We haven’t been able to identify data for 1861, 1941, and 1991, so if you do have details for these years, please do let us know!
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1801 | 3,634 |
| 1811 | 4,911 |
| 1821 | 6,155 |
| 1831 | 7,807 |
| 1841 | 10,450 |
| 1851 | 10,965 |
| 1861 | n/a |
| 1871 | 12,636 |
| 1881 | 12,704 |
| 1891 | 13,341 |
| 1901 | 15,209 |
| 1911 | 16,802 |
| 1921 | 15,960 |
| 1931 | 17,139 |
| 1941 | n/a |
| 1951 | 22,202 |
| 1961 | 25,600 |
| 1971 | 22,691 |
| 1981 | 23,323 |
| 1991 | n/a |
| 2001 | 35,800 |
| 2011 | 41,276 |
Sources: ONS (2001 onwards), Vision of Britain (1801-1961), British History Online (1971-1981)