Population of Swindon History, growth and future estimates

How many people live in Swindon today?

Three dates matter when people search for "Swindon population 2026":

• The year the estimate refers to: mid-2025 means 30 June 2025.
• The date it was published: 29 July 2026, in the ONS bulletin Population estimates for England and Wales: mid-2025.
• The year people are searching for: 2026. There is no official ONS mid-2026 local authority figure yet, and there is no 2026 census.

The mid-2025 estimate of 245,286 covers the borough of Swindon (local authority code E06000030), including the town centre, Old Town, West Swindon, North Swindon, East Swindon, and outlying areas such as Wroughton, Highworth, Chiseldon and Wanborough. In the same ONS tables, the revised mid-2024 estimate is 243,324. An earlier ONS release had put mid-2024 at 243,875; later publications revise previous years, so the 243,324 figure is the one that sits alongside the mid-2025 estimate.

The 2021 Census recorded 233,400 people, an increase of 11.6% from 2011 (209,200). That was a higher growth rate than England as a whole (6.6%) and the South West (7.8%).

Why has Swindon's population grown?

Swindon's growth has several drivers, past and present. The first major boom came with the Great Western Railway. In 1841, Isambard Kingdom Brunel and Daniel Gooch chose Swindon as the site for the GWR's central locomotive works, roughly halfway between London and Bristol. The small agricultural settlement expanded quickly: by 1851 New Swindon already matched Old Swindon's population, and by the mid-20th century over 14,000 people worked in the railway works alone. See Swindon's railway heritage and Swindon's post-war expansion for more.

After the Second World War, Swindon was identified for major expansion to absorb London overspill and address housing shortages. The 1968 "Silver Book" proposed growing the town from around 100,000 to 400,000. Although that target was never met, West Swindon, Toothill, and later developments like Wichelstowe have continued to attract new residents. More recently, factors include:

• Jobs and employers: Nationwide, Honda (until closure), Great Western Hospital, Swindon Borough Council, and many logistics, engineering, and tech firms.
• Transport links: The M4 corridor, direct rail to London Paddington (~1 hour), Bristol, Bath, and Oxford.
• Housing affordability: Swindon tends to be more affordable than Reading, Oxford, Bristol, and parts of London, drawing families and commuters. See Swindon vs Reading, Oxford and Bristol.
• New housing: Ongoing developments such as Wichelstowe, Tadpole Garden Village, and new estates have boosted population.

Population density and demographics

ONS estimates Swindon's population density at 1,066 people per square kilometre at mid-2025, over an area of about 230 square kilometres. From the same mid-2025 age tables, about 22% were aged 0 to 17, about 61% aged 18 to 64, and about 17% aged 65 and over. Between 2011 and 2021, Swindon saw a 28.6% increase in people aged 65 and over and a 12.4% increase in under-15s, reflecting both an ageing population and continued family growth.

In the year to mid-2025, ONS attributes most of Swindon's increase to international migration (net +1,400), with natural change (births minus deaths) adding 435 people and net internal migration adding 117.

Future population estimates

The ONS also publishes population projections for local authorities, including Swindon (E06000030), based on assumptions about births, deaths and migration. Those are modelled futures, not counts. Swindon has grown faster than many comparable towns, and planned housing at Wichelstowe, Tadpole Garden Village and elsewhere points to further growth, but any 2026 or later total should wait for the next official estimate. The next UK Census is scheduled for 2031. For housing and development context, see new builds in Swindon.

Common questions about Swindon's population

What is the population of Swindon in 2026?

There is no official ONS population figure for mid-2026 yet, and there is no 2026 census. The latest official estimate is 245,286 people at mid-2025, published on 29 July 2026.

What is the population of Swindon in 2025?

The ONS mid-year estimate for 30 June 2025 is 245,286. That is an estimate for the Swindon unitary authority, not a door-to-door count.

What was the population of Swindon in 2024?

In the mid-2025 ONS tables, the revised mid-2024 estimate is 243,324. An earlier bulletin had given 243,875 for mid-2024. Use 243,324 if you are comparing 2024 with 2025 from the same release.

How many people lived in Swindon in 2021?

The 2021 Census recorded 233,400 people in the Swindon unitary authority.

Is Swindon's population growing?

Yes. Between 2011 and 2021 it grew by 11.6%, outpacing the South West (7.8%) and England (6.6%). Mid-year estimates show continued growth since 2021, including from mid-2024 to mid-2025.

What is Swindon's population density?

ONS estimates 1,066 people per square kilometre at mid-2025.

Why did Swindon grow so fast?

Swindon's growth was driven initially by the Great Western Railway (1840s onward), then by post-war expansion plans (1960s Silver Book) and London overspill. More recently, jobs (Nationwide, NHS, logistics, engineering), transport (M4, rail to London), and relatively affordable housing have attracted new residents.

Information correct as of 28th October 2026. The 245,286 figure is the ONS mid-2025 estimate for 30 June 2025, published 29 July 2026. It is not a confirmed 2026 population. Check ONS for later releases.