Population by Ethnic Group, Sandwell 2001-2009
Estimates of population by Ethnic Group in Sandwell are shown in the table below. They are experimental estimates which means they do not yet meet the rigorous quality standards required by the Office for National Statistics, but they are the 'best available' estimates of the ethnic breakdown of the Borough's population. With the publication of the latest estimates, all previous estimates back to 2001 have been revised. According to the latest figures, at 2009 the White group made up 76.7% of the total population and the BME group, 23.3%. (The White group includes 'White:British', 'White:Irish' and 'White:Other'. If 'White:Irish' and 'White:Other' are included in the BME group this takes the percentage up to 26.2% with the 'White:British' group making up 73.8% of the population).
The White population has fallen in size between 2001 and 2009, although within this group, the 'Other white' population has increased. This is a result of in-migration, particularly from other parts of Europe. The Indian population has also fallen over this period, by 2,300 (-8.8%).
The largest increase numerically has been in the Pakistani group, an increase of around 3,500 (42%), whilst the largest increase proportionally has been in the ‘Chinese & Other’ group, an increase of 182% (2000 people). The 'Mixed' group has increased by around a third to just over 8,000 and the ‘Black’ group by around a quarter to 13,600. The Bangladeshi group has increased by around 700 (20%) to 4,200 in 2009 and the 'Other Asian' group has increased by around 2000 (60%).