Demography
The population of Canvey has increased significantly in the last 100 years, mainly due to the island's popularity as a residential holiday resort during the first half of the 20th century, but also due to the London overspill plans and the introduction of council estates for 100 families from the Dagenham and Walthamstow boroughs in 1959.
| Year | 1851 | 1887 | 1901 | 1911 | 1921 | 1931 | 1939 | 1951 | 1961 | 1971 | 2001 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 69 | 282 | 307 | 583 | 1,795 | 3,532 | 6,248 | 11,258 | 15,605 | 26,608 | 37,479 |
| Canvey Island Compared | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 UK census | Canvey Island | Castle Point | England |
| Total population | 37,479 | 86,608 | 49,138,831 |
| Foreign born | 4.2% | 4.6% | 9.2% |
| White | 98% | 97% | 91% |
| Asian | 0.6% | 0.7% | 4.6% |
| Black | 0.2% | 0.2% | 2.3% |
| Christian | 74% | 75% | 72% |
| Muslim | 0.2% | 0.3% | 3.1% |
| Hindu | 0.1% | 0.2% | 1.1% |
| No religion | 16% | 15% | 15% |
| Over 65 years old | 15% | 17% | 16% |
| Unemployed | 2.2% | 2.4% | 3.3% |
As of the 2001 UK census, the population of Canvey was 37,479 of which 87.9% of people were living within the five wards of the eastern area of the island at a population density of 38 persons per hectare, while the population density within the west ward - covering a larger area of the island - was 4.6 persons per hectare.
There were 15,312 dwellings on Canvey of which 98.7% were households. 42.4% were occupied by married couples, 13.9% of households contained three or more adults and no children, 26% were one person households, and 8.1% were occupied by co-habiting couples. Canvey had a higher proportion at 35.2% of households owning their properties outright compared with the average of 29.2% for England, but had a lower proportion when compared to the average for Castle Point at 39.9%.
There was a higher proportion of female residents than male by 0.03%. The median age of the population was 40 years, and 23% were under 18, while 15% of residents were over 65.
The island has a high proportion of white people compared to national figures; the ethnicity recorded was 98.2% white compared with 91% for England. 0.6% of the population of Canvey were of a mixed ethnic group, while 0.6% were Asian, 0.2% Black, and 0.2% Chinese.
4.2% of the population were foreign born, with 1.7% of residents born in another constituent country of the UK. 2.5% of the population were born outside the UK; and 1.2% of residents born outside Europe.
Religion was recorded as 74% Christian, 0.2% Muslim, 0.1% Jewish, 0.1% Hindu, while 16% of islanders had no religion.
The proportion of unemployed persons on Canvey was lower at 2.2% than for Castle Point at 2.4%, and England at 3.3%.
Read more about this topic: Canvey Island