Cardiff Population 2021: 382,000 — Wales' Largest City
According to the 2021 UK Census, Cardiff's population stands at 382,000 — making it the largest city in Wales and the 11th largest in the United Kingdom.
Population Context
| Metric | Value | Rank |
|---|
| City Proper (2021) | 382,000 | 1st Wales, 11th UK |
| Urban Area (2021) | 488,000 | 1st Wales, 10th UK |
| Metro Area (Cardiff Capital Region) | 1.54M | 1st Wales, ~8th UK |
| Growth (2011–2021) | +6.7% | Above UK avg (6.3%) |
Demographics
- Age: Median 34 (UK: 40) — student population (2 unis: Cardiff, Met), young professionals
- Ethnicity (2021): White 80%, Asian 8%, Black 4%, Mixed 4%, Other 4%
- Language: 16% Welsh speakers (Census) — rising in schools
- Born Abroad: 14% (Poland, India, China, Pakistan, Somalia top origins)
Drivers of Growth
- Economy: Finance (Admiral, Legal & General), creative media (BBC Wales, Bad Wolf), fintech, life sciences
- Education: 45,000+ students — major retention/graduation employment
- Transport: M4 corridor, Great Western Main Line (1h 50m to London), Cardiff Airport
- Regeneration: Cardiff Bay (Barrage, Senedd, Wales Millennium Centre), Central Quay, Dumballs Road
Comparison
- Swansea (2nd Wales): 239,000 (city), 300,000 (urban)
- Newport (3rd): 159,000
- UK Cities Ahead: London, Birmingham, Leeds, Glasgow, Sheffield, Bradford, Manchester, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Bristol
Cardiff is a compact, growing capital — punching above its weight in culture, sport (Principality Stadium), and Celtic capital status.
Wanderlust World