East Devon has the highest number of centenarians per 100,000 people in England and Wales, new data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed.

The figures, which come from the 2021 census, show how many people aged 100 or over live in each local authority area as a proportion of the population.

There were 64 centenarians for every 100,000 people in East Devon in 2021, putting it at the top of the list above Arun in West Sussex (59) and New Forest in Hampshire (57).

That figure is almost three times the national average of 24.9.

Census data says East Devon had a population of 150,800 in 2021 – meaning the district was home to around 97 centenarians. 

East Devon is also in the top 10 per cent of districts nationally (and first in Devon) with its life expectancy of just over 82. 

Reacting to the figures, a district council spokesperson said: “East Devon has a rich natural environment of beautiful green spaces and stunning coastline, which have persuaded people to migrate into the district from other parts of the UK, at working age and in retirement.

“The local population is older than the national average, and the council takes this into account when designing and delivering services.

“The district council aims to improve the health and wellbeing of residents and communities, ensuring that East Devon is a place where people want to live, work, visit and enjoy life.

“Lots of factors can lead to longer life expectancies, some of which the council can influence, but of course there are others that it cannot.”

Number of centenarians on the rise 

The number of centenarians living in England and Wales reached 13,924 in 2021, marking an increase of 24.5 per cent from 2011. 

One hundred years ago, there were 110 centenarians living in the two countries, meaning the latest census marks a 127-fold increase. 

Of the centenarians living in 2021, 11,228 were female and 2,636 were male, reflecting the average higher life expectancy for women. 

The rising number of centenarians has been attributed in part to advances in healthcare and public health measures, which led to improved air quality and working conditions. 

However, they still only represent 0.02 per cent of the total population.

Remarkably, male centenarians in 2021 had outlived their life expectancy at birth by four decades, and female centenarians by three decades.

In 2021, two in five centenarians (40 per cent) lived alone.

One in five lived in private households with other people, and two in five lived in communal establishments.

A quarter of centenarians reported having good or very good health. 

Half said they had fair health, and the remaining quarter reported having bad or very bad health. Three in 10 centenarians reported having no disability.