Thurrock is proving a highly popular place to live. The population has increased by more than a tenth (10.4 per cent) over the past decade, according to the latest census.
This represents a far faster growth rate than the national or regional figures -- and far more than official figures had projected.
The new population total for Thurrock is 143,042, a rise of 13,442 people since the previous census ten years ago, while official estimates had predicted 7,253 fewer residents than were recorded in last year's UK census.
Thurrock retains its youthful population profile having more under 16s than over 60s.
Statistics show that in the 20 years from 1981 to 2001 the borough experienced an even greater population increase - 12.3 per cent overall.
In the same period the national average was 4.3 per cent, the Eastern Region recorded 11 per cent and Essex showed a 9.4 per cent increase.
Thurrock Council leader Andy Smith said: "Thurrock has always been a forward looking borough and in the past ten years we've seen a growth of nearly 8,000 new properties.
Published Monday October 14, 2002
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