Editing Liverpool (section)

===Population===
{|class="wikitable" id="toc" style="margin-left:2em; " cellspacing="3"
|+Historical population of Liverpool (numbers vary by source)<br>Sources:<ref>{{Cite web|title=Liverpool: Trade, population and geographical growth|url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/lancs/vol4/pp37-38|access-date=17 September 2023|website=british-history.ac.uk|archive-date=18 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918184739/https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/lancs/vol4/pp37-38|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Liverpool Population|url=https://www.visitnorthwest.com/population/liverpool|access-date=17 September 2023|website=visitnorthwest.com|archive-date=18 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918184745/https://www.visitnorthwest.com/population/liverpool|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title='The Belfast of England'|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool/content/articles/2009/06/18/history_sectarian_1909_feature.shtml|access-date=17 September 2023|publisher=BBC|archive-date=18 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918184739/https://www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool/content/articles/2009/06/18/history_sectarian_1909_feature.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Liverpool Firsts|url=https://liverpoolhistorysociety.org.uk/articles/liverpool-firsts|access-date=17 September 2023|website=liverpoolhistorysociety.org.uk|archive-date=18 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918184813/https://liverpoolhistorysociety.org.uk/articles/liverpool-firsts/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Liverpool in the Middle Ages|url=https://localhistories.org/a-history-of-liverpool|access-date=17 September 2023|website=localhistories.org|date=14 March 2021|archive-date=28 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928053327/https://localhistories.org/a-history-of-liverpool/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Liverpool District|url=https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10105821/cube/TOT_POP|access-date=17 September 2023|website=visionofbritain.org.uk|archive-date=30 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930211936/https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10105821/cube/TOT_POP|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Liverpool|url=https://images.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/2020-01/Liverpool-Part-2.pdf|access-date=17 September 2023|website=liverpoolmuseums.org.uk|archive-date=20 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120201150/https://images.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/2020-01/Liverpool-Part-2.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Online historical population reports: Census|url=http://www.histpop.org/ohpr/servlet/Browse?path=Browse/Census%20(by%20date)/1801&active=yes&treestate=contract&titlepos=0|access-date=17 September 2023|website=histpop.org|archive-date=18 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918184740/http://www.histpop.org/ohpr/servlet/Browse?path=Browse/Census%20(by%20date)/1801&active=yes&treestate=contract&titlepos=0|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Liverpool – A history of a city 12,000 years in 1200 words|url=https://images.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/2020-01/history-of-a-city-fact-file.pdf|access-date=24 September 2023|website=liverpoolmuseums.org.uk|archive-date=2 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002185750/https://images.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/2020-01/history-of-a-city-fact-file.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Introduction|url=https://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/transcript-of-magical-history-tour-exhibition-tour|access-date=24 September 2023|website=liverpoolmuseums.org.uk|archive-date=2 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002191249/https://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/transcript-of-magical-history-tour-exhibition-tour|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=History of Liverpool|url=https://www.history.co.uk/article/history-of-liverpool|access-date=24 September 2023|website=history.co.uk|archive-date=2 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002185750/https://www.history.co.uk/article/history-of-liverpool|url-status=live}}</ref>
!Date!!Population!!Notes
|-
|'''1207'''||||Borough of Liverpool founded by [[John, King of England]]. The economy was focused on agricultural and food processing, [[Gristmill|grain mills]] and warehouses until the 16th century.
|-
|'''1272'''||840||
|-
|'''14th century'''||1,000 – 1,200|| Population roughly 1,000 in 1300. Because Liverpool was a port, it was more at risk from the spread of disease. Townspeople lived partly by farming and fishing. Some were craftsmen or tradesmen such as bakers, brewers, butchers, blacksmiths, and carpenters. A [[watermill]] existed to ground grain into flour for the townspeople's bread, and there was a windmill. [[Black Death]] wiped out whole families and bodies were buried in a mass grave at [[Church of Our Lady and Saint Nicholas, Liverpool|St Nicholas's churchyard]]. 
|-
|'''16th century'''||||Ireland was still Liverpool's main trading partner. In 1540, a writer said: "Irish merchants come much hither as to a good harbor". He also said there was "good merchandise at Liverpool and much Irish [[yarn]], that [[Manchester]] men buy there". Skins and hides were still imported from Ireland. Exports from Liverpool included coal, woolen cloth, knives and leather goods. There were still many fishermen in Liverpool. In the mid 16th century, the town was under the control of the country [[gentry]] and trade was slow. The population dropped to below 600, in part due to deaths in the [[1557 influenza pandemic|1558 plague]] when a third of the townspeople died. Further [[Second plague pandemic|plague outbreaks]] took place in 1609, 1647 and 1650 which led to static or retrogressive population levels. The town was regarded as subordinate to [[Chester]] until the 1650s.
|-
|'''1600'''||<2,000||English troops bound for [[List of Irish uprisings|rebellions in Ireland]] settled in the 16th and early 17th centuries.
|-
|'''1626'''||||[[Charles I of England]] issued new [[Municipal charter|Charter]] for the town. Trade with other cities, Ireland, [[Isle of Man]], France and Spain increased. Fish and wool was exported to the [[Continental Europe|Continent]], and wines, iron and other commodities imported. In the following decades, merchants invested in Liverpool and its importance grew. Regular shipping began to America and [[West Indies]]. Liverpool was controlled by [[the Crown]], the Molyneux and Stanley families. 
|-
|'''1642'''||2,500||Liverpool overtook [[Chester]] in exporting coal and salt in early 17th century, especially to Ireland. 
|-
|'''1644'''||||During [[English Civil War]], [[Prince Rupert of the Rhine|Prince Rupert]] led a [[Cavalier|royalist]] army to capture Liverpool. He described the town as a "mere crow's nest which a parcel of boys could take". He stormed [[Liverpool Castle]] in the 'Siege of Liverpool' with considerable slaughter.
|-
|'''1647'''||||Liverpool was made a free and independent port, no longer subject to [[Chester]].
|-
|'''1648'''||||First recorded cargo from America landed at Liverpool.
|-
|'''Late 17th century'''||||Liverpool grew rapidly with the growth of [[Colonial history of the United States|English colonies in North America]] and [[British West Indies|West Indies]]. Liverpool was well placed to trade across Atlantic Ocean. The writer [[Celia Fiennes]] visited Liverpool and said: "Liverpool is built on the [[River Mersey]]. It is mostly newly built, of brick and stone after the London fashion. The original (town) was a few fishermen's houses. It has now grown into a large, fine town. It is but one parish with one church though there be 24 streets in it, there is indeed a little chapel and there are a great many dissenters in the town ([[Protestants]] who did not belong to the [[Church of England]]). It's a very rich trading town, the houses are of brick and stone, built high and even so that a street looks very handsome. The streets are well paved. There is an abundance of persons who are well dressed and fashionable. The streets are fair and long. It's London in miniature as much as I ever saw anything. There is a very pretty exchange. It stands on 8 pillars, over which is a very handsome [[Liverpool Town Hall|Town Hall]]."
|-
|'''1700'''||5,714||First recorded Liverpool [[slave ship]], the 'Liverpool Merchant', sold a cargo of 220 [[Slavery|slaves]] in Barbados. In the early 1700s, the writer [[Daniel Defoe]] said: "Liverpool has an opulent, flourishing and increasing trade to [[Virginia]] and English colonies in America. They trade around the whole island (of Great Britain), send ships to [[Norway]], to [[Hamburg]], and to the [[Baltic states|Baltic]] as also to [[Holland]] and [[Flanders]] (roughly modern [[Belgium]])." [[Welsh people|Welsh]] people in search of work and opportunity made up a large amount of population in early 18th century. 
|-
|'''1715'''||||[[Old Dock|World's first wet dock]] opened in Liverpool, symbolising a new era in the town's growth, the starting point of the 18th century boom in Liverpool's fortunes.
|-
|'''1720s'''||||[[Liverpool Castle]] demolished (built in the 1230s)
|-
|'''1750'''||20,000||
|-
|'''1795'''||||Influx of Irish, [[Welsh people|Welsh]], Scandinavian and [[Dutch people|Dutch]] communities grew the town rapidly. Most of the population were not native to Liverpool.
|-
|'''1797'''||77,708||
|-
|'''1801'''||77,000 – 85,000||
|-
|'''1811'''||94,376||
|-
|'''1821'''||118,972||
|-
|'''1831'''||165,175||
|-
|'''1835'''||||Boundary of Liverpool expanded to include [[Everton, Liverpool|Everton]], [[Kirkdale, Liverpool|Kirkdale]] and parts of [[Toxteth]] and [[West Derby]]. Liverpool was second only to London in importance. Poor, overcrowded and unsanitary living conditions led to disease and epidemics of [[cholera]] in 1830s to 1860s.
|-
|'''1841'''||286,487||
|-
|'''1851'''||375,955||At the height of the [[Great Famine (Ireland)|Great Famine in Ireland]], Liverpool's [[Irish people in Great Britain|Irish born population]] peaked to about 83,000–90,000. 43,000 were settled in the area around the docks. More Irish people lived in Liverpool than the majority of [[Historical population of Ireland|Irish towns]]. 40% of the world's trade was passing through [[Port of Liverpool|Liverpool's docks]].
|-
|'''1861'''||413,000 – 462,749||
|-
|'''1871'''||493,405 – 539,248||
|-
|'''1880'''||||Liverpool officially [[History of Liverpool|became a city]].
|-
|'''1881'''||552,508 – 648,616||
|-
|'''1891'''||617,032 – 644,243||
|-
|'''1895'''||||Boundary of Liverpool expanded to include [[Wavertree]], [[Walton, Liverpool|Walton]], and parts of [[Toxteth]] and [[West Derby]].
|-
|'''1901'''||684,958 – 711,030||
|-
|'''1902'''||||Boundary of Liverpool expanded to include [[Garston, Liverpool|Garston]], [[Aigburth]], [[Grassendale and Cressington (Liverpool ward)|Cressington]] and [[Grassendale]].
|-
|'''1904'''||||Boundary of Liverpool expanded to include [[Fazakerley]].
|-
|'''1907'''||746,144||
|-
|'''1911'''||746,421 – 766,044||
|-
|'''1913'''||||Boundary of Liverpool expanded to include [[Woolton]] and [[Gateacre]].
|-
|'''1921'''||805,046 – 821,000||
|-
|'''1931'''||855,688||
|-
|'''1937'''||867,000||The highest recorded population of Liverpool [[city proper]].
|-
|'''1941'''||806,271||Liverpool's population fell in the following decades, largely due to the [[new towns movement]] and the British government's policy to displace thousands of people from major British cities (including Central Liverpool) to various [[New towns in the United Kingdom|new towns]] within the region such as [[Kirkby]], [[Skelmersdale]], [[Runcorn]] and [[Warrington]].
|-
|'''1951'''||765,641 – 768,337||
|-
|'''1961'''||683,133 – 737,637||
|-
|'''1971'''||595,252 – 607,454||Suburbanisation into neighbouring local authorities continues.
|-
|'''1981'''||492,164 – 503,726||
|-
|'''1991'''||448,629 – 480,196||
|-
|'''2001'''||439,428 – 439,476||Liverpool's population steadily increased again, partly attributed to a rise in students, student accommodation, young professionals, and increased job opportunities through [[Urban renewal|urban regeneration]].
|-
|'''2011'''||466,415||
|-
|'''2021'''||486,100||
|-
|}

====The city====
The city of Liverpool is at the core of a much larger and more populous [[metropolitan area]], however, at the most recent [[2021 United Kingdom census|UK Census in 2021]], the area governed by [[Liverpool City Council]] had a population of 486,100, a 4.2% increase from the previous [[2011 United Kingdom census|Census in 2011]]. This figure increased to 500,500 people by 2022, according to data from Liverpool City Council.

Taking in to account how [[Local government in England|local government]] is organised within the cities and metropolitan areas of England, the Liverpool was the fifth largest of England's [[Core Cities Group|'core cities']] and had the second overall highest population density of those, by 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Demography – Census 2021|url=https://liverpool.gov.uk/council/key-statistics-and-data/census-2021/demography|access-date=3 September 2023|website=liverpool.gov.uk|archive-date=3 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230903110427/https://liverpool.gov.uk/council/key-statistics-and-data/census-2021/demography|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=What is the population of Liverpool and how big is it?|url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/what-population-liverpool-how-big-25304427|access-date=3 September 2023|website=liverpoolecho.co.uk|date=25 October 2022|archive-date=3 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230903110425/https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/what-population-liverpool-how-big-25304427|url-status=live}}</ref>

The population of the city has steadily risen since the [[2001 United Kingdom census|2001 Census]]. As well as having a growing population, the population density also grew at the 2021 Census compared to the previous Census. Since 2011, its population size ranked 10th out of 309 local authority areas.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How the population changed in Liverpool: Census 2021 |url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/visualisations/censuspopulationchange/E08000012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923021438/https://www.ons.gov.uk/visualisations/censuspopulationchange/E08000012 |archive-date=23 September 2023 |access-date=3 September 2023 |website=ons.gov.uk}}</ref>

The population of the city is comparatively younger than that of England as a whole. Family life in the city is also growing at odds with the North West England region as a whole: At the 2021 Census, the percentage of households including a couple without children increased in Liverpool, but fell across the North West. The percentage of people aged 16 years and over (excluding full-time students) who were employed also increased in Liverpool compared to the overall North West region where it fell. 
[[File:Asian Tourists at Quayside - Albert Dock - Liverpool - England (28033157252).jpg|thumb|left|Liverpool's [[Ethnic groups in the United Kingdom|ethnic]] and international population is growing. More people in the city identified as [[British Asians|Asian]] and [[Black British people|Black]] in the [[2021 United Kingdom census|most recent census]], compared to the previous census.]]

The 2021 Census also showed that Liverpool's [[Ethnic groups in the United Kingdom|ethnic]] and international population was growing. The number of residents in the city born outside of England has increased since the previous Census, while the number of residents who did not identify with any [[Countries of the United Kingdom|national identity associated with the UK]] has also increased at a faster rate than England as a whole. The overall share of the city's population who identified as [[British Asians|Asian]] and [[Black British people|Black]] increased, while the percentage who identified as [[White people in the United Kingdom|white]] decreased in the city compared with previous Census.<ref name="2021lifechange">{{Cite web|title=How life has changed in Liverpool: Census 2021|url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/visualisations/censusareachanges/E08000012|access-date=8 September 2023|website=ons.gov.uk|archive-date=18 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918184738/https://www.ons.gov.uk/visualisations/censusareachanges/E08000012|url-status=live}}</ref>

It has been argued that the city can claim to have one of the strongest [[Irish people|Irish heritages]] in the United Kingdom, with as many as 75 percent (estimated) of Liverpool's population with some form of [[Irish people in Great Britain|Irish ancestry]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Liverpool is a city with deep Irish roots|url=https://www.irishecho.com/2022/4/liverpool-has-deep-irish-roots|access-date=8 September 2023|website=irishecho.com|archive-date=5 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705192603/https://www.irishecho.com/2022/4/liverpool-has-deep-irish-roots|url-status=live}}</ref>

The growing population of Liverpool in the 21st century reverses a trend which took place between the 1930s and 2001, when the population of the [[city proper]] effectively halved.

At the [[1931 United Kingdom census]], Liverpool's population reached an all-time high of 846,302. Following this peak, in response to central government policy, the Council authority of Liverpool then built and owned large several [[New towns in the United Kingdom|'new town']] [[Public housing in the United Kingdom|council estates]] in the suburbs within Liverpool's metropolitan area. Tens of thousands of people were systematically relocated to new housing in areas such as [[Borough of Halton|Halton]], [[Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley|Knowsley]], [[Metropolitan Borough of St Helens|St Helens]], [[Metropolitan Borough of Sefton|Sefton]], [[Metropolitan Borough of Wirral|Wirral]], [[Cheshire West and Chester]], [[West Lancashire]], [[Warrington]] and as far as [[North Wales]].

Such a mass relocation and population loss during this time was common practice for many British cities, including London and [[Manchester]], In contrast, satellite towns such as [[Kirkby]], [[Skelmersdale]] and [[Runcorn]] saw a corresponding rise in their populations (Kirkby being the fastest growing town in Britain during the 1960s).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Was the decline in Liverpool's historic population really that unusual?|url=https://citymonitor.ai/government/was-decline-liverpool-s-historic-population-really-unusual-3490|access-date=8 September 2023|website=citymonitor.ai|archive-date=18 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918231819/https://citymonitor.ai/government/was-decline-liverpool-s-historic-population-really-unusual-3490|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Liverpool District|url=https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10105821/cube/TOT_POP|access-date=8 September 2023|website=visionofbritain.org.uk|archive-date=30 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930211936/https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10105821/cube/TOT_POP|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="2021lifechange"/><ref>{{cite book|last1=Ravetz|first1=Alison|title=Council housing and culture|date=2001|publisher=Routledge|location=London [u.a.]|isbn=978-0-415-23945-5|edition=New}}</ref>

====Urban and metropolitan area====
Liverpool is typically grouped with the wider [[Merseyside]] (plus [[Borough of Halton|Halton]]) area for the purpose of defining its metropolitan footprint, and there are several methodologies. Sometimes, this metropolitan area is broadened to encompass urban settlements in the neighbouring counties of [[Lancashire]] and [[Cheshire]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rebalancing Britain: Policy of Slogan? Liverpool City Region – Building on its Strengths: An independent report|url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/32080/11-1338-rebalancing-britain-liverpool-city-region.pdf|access-date=10 January 2024|website=assets.publishing.service.gov.uk|archive-date=28 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128190321/https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/32080/11-1338-rebalancing-britain-liverpool-city-region.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Liverpool City Region Statement of Cooperation on Local Planning. Liverpool City Region Combined Authority|url=https://api.liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Appendix_One_Statement_of_Co-operation.pdf|access-date=11 January 2024|website=api.liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk|archive-date=11 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111104155/https://api.liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Appendix_One_Statement_of_Co-operation.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> 

The [[Office for National Statistics]] in the United Kingdom uses the international standardised [[International Territorial Level|International Territorial Levels (ITLs)]] to divide up the [[Economy of the United Kingdom|economic territory of the UK]]. This enables the ONS to calculate regional and local statistics and data. The ONS uses a series of codes to identify these areas. In order of hierarchy from largest area to smallest area, Liverpool is part of the following regions:<ref>{{Cite web|title=International geographies|url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/methodology/geography/ukgeographies/eurostat#north-west-england|access-date=9 September 2023|website=ons.gov.uk|archive-date=18 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918184739/https://www.ons.gov.uk/methodology/geography/ukgeographies/eurostat#north-west-england|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=International, regional and city statistics|url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/aboutus/whatwedo/programmesandprojects/europeancitystatistics|access-date=9 September 2023|website=ons.gov.uk|archive-date=22 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122215435/https://www.ons.gov.uk/aboutus/whatwedo/programmesandprojects/europeancitystatistics|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Open Geography Portal|url=https://geoportal.statistics.gov.uk/search?q=itl|access-date=9 September 2023|website=geoportal.statistics.gov.uk|archive-date=18 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918184748/https://geoportal.statistics.gov.uk/search?q=itl|url-status=live}}</ref>

=====ITL 1 region=====
[[North West England]] (code TLD)
<br>At the 2021 Census, the ITL 1 region of North West England had a usual resident population of 7,417,300.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Population sizes and changes for regions and local authorities|url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/bulletins/populationandhouseholdestimatesenglandandwales/census2021#population-sizes-and-changes-for-regions-and-local-authorities|access-date=9 September 2023|website=ons.gov.uk|archive-date=6 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606233746/https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/bulletins/populationandhouseholdestimatesenglandandwales/census2021#population-sizes-and-changes-for-regions-and-local-authorities|url-status=live}}</ref>

=====ITL 2 region=====
[[Merseyside]] (code TLD7) 
<br>The ITL 2 region of Merseyside is defined as the area comprising East Merseyside (TLD71) plus Liverpool (TLD72), [[Metropolitan Borough of Sefton|Sefton]] (TLD73) and [[Metropolitan Borough of Wirral|Wirral]] (TLD74).
<br>At the 2021 Census, the population of this area was as follows:<ref>{{Cite web|title=Population and household estimates, England and Wales: Census 2021|url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/bulletins/populationandhouseholdestimatesenglandandwales/census2021#population-sizes-and-changes-for-regions-and-local-authorities|access-date=9 September 2023|website=ons.gov.uk|archive-date=6 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606233746/https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/bulletins/populationandhouseholdestimatesenglandandwales/census2021#population-sizes-and-changes-for-regions-and-local-authorities|url-status=live}}</ref>

East Merseyside (TLD71):
*[[Borough of Halton|Halton]] = 128,200 
*[[Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley|Knowsley]] = 154,500 
*[[Metropolitan Borough of St Helens|St. Helens]] = 183,200

Liverpool (TLD72) = 486,100

[[Metropolitan Borough of Sefton|Sefton]] (TLD73) = 279,300

[[Metropolitan Borough of Wirral|Wirral]] (TLD74) = 320,200

Therefore, the total population of the ITL 2 Merseyside region was 1,551,500 based on the 2021 Census.

=====ITL 3 region=====
The smallest ITL 3 area classed as Liverpool (code TLD72), therefore, had a population of 486,100 at the 2021 Census.

=====Other definitions=====

At the 2021 Census, the ONS used a refreshed concept of built-up areas (BUAs) based on the physical built environment, using [[satellite imagery]] to recognise developed land, such as cities, towns, and villages. This allows the ONS to investigate economic and social statistics based on actual settlements where most people live. Data from the 2021 Census is not directly comparable with [[2011 United Kingdom census|2011 Census]] data due to this revised methodology. Using the population figures of BUAs at the 2021 Census (excluding London), [[Liverpool Built-up Area]] is the third largest in England with some 506,565 usual residents (behind only [[Birmingham]] and [[Leeds]]). Liverpool's built-up area is, therefore, larger than the major English cities of [[Bristol]], Manchester, [[Newcastle upon Tyne]], [[Nottingham]] and [[Sheffield]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Towns and cities, characteristics of built-up areas, England and Wales: Census 2021|url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/housing/articles/townsandcitiescharacteristicsofbuiltupareasenglandandwales/census2021|access-date=9 September 2023|website=ons.gov.uk|archive-date=21 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231121221510/https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/housing/articles/townsandcitiescharacteristicsofbuiltupareasenglandandwales/census2021|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Liverpool city region.png|thumb|left|Map showing the six boroughs of [[Liverpool City Region]]: the 4th largest [[combined authority]] area in England.]]
Excluding London, the [[Liverpool City Region]] was the 4th largest [[combined authority]] area in England, by 2021. The population is approximately 1.6&nbsp;million. The Liverpool City Region is a political and economic partnership between local authorities including [[Liverpool City Council|Liverpool]], plus the [[Metropolitan borough]]s of [[Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley|Knowsley]], [[Metropolitan Borough of Sefton|Sefton]], [[Metropolitan Borough of St Helens|St Helens]], [[Metropolitan Borough of Wirral|Wirral]] and the [[Borough of Halton]]. The [[Liverpool City Region Combined Authority]] exercises strategic governance powers for the region in many areas. The economic data of the Liverpool city region is of particular policy interest to the [[Office for National Statistics]], particularly as the [[Government of the United Kingdom|British Government]] continuously explores the potential to negotiate increased [[Devolution in the United Kingdom|devolved powers]] for each combined authority area.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Population living in an area covered by a combined authority or regional governance body that has a devolution deal with a directly elected mayor, England, as of 13 January 2023|url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/wellbeing/adhocs/15439populationlivinginanareacoveredbyacombinedauthorityorregionalgovernancebodythathasadevolutiondealwithadirectlyelectedmayorenglandasof13january2023|website=ons.gov.uk|access-date=10 September 2023|archive-date=18 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918184742/https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/wellbeing/adhocs/15439populationlivinginanareacoveredbyacombinedauthorityorregionalgovernancebodythathasadevolutiondealwithadirectlyelectedmayorenglandasof13january2023|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Liverpool City Region|url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/visualisations/areas/E47000004|website=ons.gov.uk|access-date=10 September 2023|archive-date=18 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918184740/https://www.ons.gov.uk/visualisations/areas/E47000004|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Combined Authority economic indicators|url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/economicoutputandproductivity/output/articles/combinedauthorityeconomicindicators/2017-03-14|website=ons.gov.uk|access-date=10 September 2023|archive-date=18 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918184738/https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/economicoutputandproductivity/output/articles/combinedauthorityeconomicindicators/2017-03-14|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Compare Liverpool combined authority|url=https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/comb/1853882372/subreports/pop_compared/report.aspx?allInGB=&pivot=total&&sort=1&ascending=|website=nomisweb.co.uk|access-date=10 September 2023|archive-date=18 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918184737/https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/comb/1853882372/subreports/pop_compared/report.aspx?allInGB=&pivot=total&&sort=1&ascending=|url-status=live}}</ref>

A 2011 report, ''Liverpool City Region – Building on its Strengths'', by [[Lord Heseltine]] and [[Terry Leahy]], stated that "what is now called Liverpool City Region has a population of around 1.5{{nbsp}}million", but also referred to "an urban region that spreads from [[Wrexham]] and [[Flintshire]] to [[Chester]], [[Warrington]], [[West Lancashire]] and across to [[Southport]]", with a population of 2.3{{nbsp}}million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/32080/11-1338-rebalancing-britain-liverpool-city-region.pdf|title=Liverpool City Region – Building on its Strengths|access-date=10 August 2016|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304110712/https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/32080/11-1338-rebalancing-britain-liverpool-city-region.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2006, in an attempt to harmonise the series of metropolitan areas across the European Union, ESPON (now [[European Observation Network for Territorial Development and Cohesion]]) released a study defining a "[[ESPON metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom|Liverpool/Birkenhead Metropolitan area]]" with an estimated population of 2,241,000 people. The metro area comprised a functional urban area consisting of a contiguous urban sprawl, labour pool, and commuter [[Travel to work area]]s. The analysis defined this metropolitan area as Liverpool itself, combined with the surrounding areas of [[Birkenhead]], [[Wigan]]/[[Ashton-in-Makerfield|Ashton]], [[Warrington]], [[Widnes]]/[[Runcorn]], [[Chester]], [[Southport]], [[Ellesmere Port]], [[Ormskirk]] and [[Skelmersdale]].<ref name="ESPON project">{{cite web|url=http://www.espon.eu/export/sites/default/Documents/Projects/ESPON2006Projects/StudiesScientificSupportProjects/UrbanFunctions/fr-1.4.3_April2007-final.pdf#page=119|title=British urban pattern: population data|access-date=14 May 2012|date=March 2007|website=ESPON project 1.4.3 Study on Urban Functions|publisher=[[European Spatial Planning Observation Network]]|page=119|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924002318/http://www.espon.eu/export/sites/default/Documents/Projects/ESPON2006Projects/StudiesScientificSupportProjects/UrbanFunctions/fr-1.4.3_April2007-final.pdf#page=119|archive-date=24 September 2015}}</ref>

Liverpool and Manchester are sometimes considered as one large polynuclear metropolitan area,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.escholar.manchester.ac.uk/uk-ac-man-scw:89997|title=Shrinking cities and growing regions – emerging trends of new rural-urban relationships in the UK and Germany (Manchester eScholar – The University of Manchester)|date=July 2005|publisher=Escholar.manchester.ac.uk|access-date=7 November 2012|archive-date=25 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425150854/https://www.escholar.manchester.ac.uk/uk-ac-man-scw:89997|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.world-gazetteer.com/wg.php?x=1122670315&men=gcis&lng=en&des=wg&geo=-81&srt=pnan&col=adhoq&msz=1500&va=&pt=a|title=World Gazetteer: United Kingdom – largest cities (per geographical entity)|publisher=Archive.is|access-date=5 February 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130105182544/http://www.world-gazetteer.com/wg.php?x=1122670315&men=gcis&lng=en&des=wg&geo=-81&srt=pnan&col=adhoq&msz=1500&va=&pt=a|archive-date=5 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2006/oct/23/ruralaffairs.britishidentity|work=The Guardian|first=Martin|last=Wainwright|title=Seeking peace and quiet? Here's where to find it|date=23 October 2006|location=London|access-date=12 December 2016|archive-date=15 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215220517/http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2006/oct/23/ruralaffairs.britishidentity|url-status=live}}</ref> or [[megalopolis (city type)|megalopolis]].