HOUNSLOW'S Indian-born population has nearly doubled in the last decade, the latest census figures show.


There are more than 27,000 Indian-born residents in the borough, the 2011 census reveals, compared with just over 15,000 when the national survey was last carried out in 2001.

The number of Poles living in Hounslow has also shot up, from 841 in 2001 to more than 10,000 last year, according to the figures published on Tuesday (December 11).

The census provides the most detailed snapshot of Britain's changing population, with information ranging from people's religion and ethnicity to their education and living arrangements.

Figures released earlier this year showed the borough's population had increased from just over 212,000 in 2001 to 254,000.

The latest breakdown shows the percentage of white Britons in the borough has fallen below 50 for the first time, from 55.8 per cent in 2001 to 37.9 per cent last year.

Only a third of those living in Hounslow, meanwhile, consider themselves English, despite 54.8 per cent having been born in the country.

The census figures also tell us:

* The average age in Hounslow is 35.2, compared with 39.4 for England and Wales

* Less than three fifths of people in Hounslow are single, compared with 44.1 per cent in London

* There are 7,633 lone-parent households in Hounslow

* Nearly a fifth (17.1 per cent) of households do not contain anyone with English as a main language

* Hounslow has the country's third highest proportion of Sikhs (9.0 per cent) and the fifth highest percentage of Hindus (10.3) and Buddhists (1.4)

* The borough is home to nine Druids, eight Satanists, 529 Jedi Knights and 23 people who believe in 'heavy metal'

* One in eight (13.0 per cent) of Hounslow's working age population works 49 hours a week or more

* After Poland, Hounslow's biggest European contingent is from Portugal, which accounts for 1,395 residents

* Hounslow is home to nearly 19,000 Africans, including 4,480 people from Kenya

HOUNSLOW IN NUMBERS
(London figures in brackets)

Population: 253,957 (8,173,941)
Average age: 35.2 (35.6)
* White British: 37.9 (44.9)
* Indian British: 19.0 (6.6)
* People with life-limiting illness or disability: 13.8 (14.2)
* House dwellers: 56.9 (26.8)
* Flat dwellers: 42.9 (73.1)
Christians: 106,660
People with no religion: 40,351
Muslims: 35,666
Hindus: 26,261
Sikhs: 22,749
Buddhists: 3,617
Jews: 651

* per cent
** all figures from 2011 census