Shropshire is getting older according to latest census
Shropshire's population is getting bigger and growing older – with the average age in some towns now above 50, new figures revealed today.
Analysis of the 2011 census highlights the pressure growing on the county's health and care services.
The report by the Office for National Statistics shows ages in Church Stretton and Ludlow are 53 and 51 respectively.
Many other Shropshire market towns are close behind, including Bridgnorth and Craven Arms where the average age is now 48, Shifnal which has risen to 47, Bishop's Castle at 46, Ellesmere at 45, and Market Drayton at 44.
The average age has gone up in virtually every part of Shropshire since the 2001 Census, including Shrewsbury which has hit 40.
Telford still has the county's youngest population, but even that figure has gone up by four years, to 37.
Keith Barrow, leader of Shropshire Council, said: "We're monitoring the demographic changes and adapting services to them. If we don't take action now, then in 10 years time the entire council budget will be taken up with the cost of social care for elderly residents."
Shropshire's population is not only getting older, but also larger. It increased by more than 31,000 over the 10-year-period to 2011, up to 472,770, made up of 306,129 in the Shropshire Council area, and 166,641 in Telford & Wrekin.
The population of Powys rose from 126,403 to 132,976.
Read more in today's Shropshire Star
