Some 60,000 more people are living in Norfolk than 10 years ago, according to census figures released yesterday.

The population of Norfolk swelled to an estimated 857,900, with all districts showing increases for the period 2001 to 2011, and particular increases in the number of older people.

Overall, only London and the South-East saw greater growth than the East of England, where the population grew by 446,000 – or 8.3pc – to a total of 5.847m, mirroring the results from 2001.

The number of households in Norfolk grew by 29,000 to 372,100, with a stable average of 2.26 people per house.

All age groups 55 and over increased in number – in particular ages 60-69 – and there was an increase in 20-24-year-olds, fewer children aged five to 14 and fewer adults in their 30s.

North Norfolk was ranked third nationally for the proportion of people aged 65 and over, and in Norfolk showed the lowest proportion of people aged 19 and under (19pc) and the smallest increase in under-fives (4pc).

Derrick Murphy, leader of Norfolk County Council, said Norfolk's response rate of 96pc would mean the results would be used to inform future council decisions.

He said: 'We are pleased with the response rates as this is a good indication of the number of people in the county who pay council tax.

'The results of the census provide useful figures we can work with to target our resources as effectively as we can. They therefore allow us to make key strategic decisions and plan for the future. We look forward to further results later in the year which will provide a more detailed picture.'

Across Norfolk and Waveney, the districts to see the largest increase were South Norfolk, which grew 13,300, and King's Lynn and West Norfolk (12,200). The results are broadly in line with Norfolk County Council's expectations, though the results from the west of the county were around 2,000 higher than recent estimates.

In Suffolk, the population grew by almost 60,000 – around nine per cent – to 728,200, with the number of households and people aged 20 to 50 also rising since 2001. Jane Storey, deputy leader of Suffolk County Council, said the figures offered 'a unique insight into the way we live now', adding: 'We need to know about changes to the population, and how this is likely to affect the way we provide services now and in future.'

A second phase of figures will be released by the Office for National Statistics in November.

mark.shields@archant.co.uk