The population of Elmbridge has grown by 6.7 per cent in 10 years, but is not as high as the UK average, the 2011 Census has revealed.

On average, the population in England and Wales grew by 7.1 per cent in the 10-year period, with populations rising in every region.

The census also revealed the most populous age bracket in Elmbridge was 45 to 49-year-olds, while the least populous, aged 90 plus.

The highest percentage increase was an 11.6 per cent rise in London, followed by a 7.6 per cent rise in the south-east.

The census estimated there was now a total population of 130,875 people living in Elmbridge and 56,075,912 residents in England and Wales.

Despite population numbers rising in the borough, the number of Christians fell by slightly more than 10 per cent.

In 2001, 74.4 per cent of the borough’s residents were Christians and when the census was carried out last year, only 64.2 per cent of people classed themselves as Christian.

Christianity is still the largest religion in England and Wales, accounting for with 59 per cent of the population, but this was down from 72 per cent in 2001.

In 2011, 18.3 per cent of Elmbridge residents were born abroad compared with 2001, when 8.1 per cent were born abroad and had been resident for less than 10 years.

While all England regions and Wales saw growth in more foreign-born residents between 2001 and 2011, Elmbridge’s figure was higher than the average for England and Wales, which stood at 13 per cent.

The largest rises again came in London and the south-east of England.

The number of residents owning their home outright or with a mortgage also dropped in 2011, from 43 per cent in 2001 to 38.8 per cent in 2011.

This is increasingly lower than the overall average of England and Wales, which stands at 64 per cent.