Rhondda Cynon Taf: population and statistics
Rhondda Cynon Taf has a population of 241,015 (2025) across 424.1 km², or 568 people per km². It ranks 88 of 361 local authorities by population. Its population is growing: +2.5% between 2015 and 2025.
- 241,015 residents
- 424.1 km²
- 568 people/km²
Rhondda Cynon Taf in numbers
Population of Rhondda Cynon Taf over time
Rhondda Cynon Taf had 235,233 residents in 2015 and 241,015 in 2025.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 238,039 |
| 2021 | 237,545 |
| 2022 | 239,303 |
| 2023 | 241,617 |
| 2024 | 241,793 |
| 2025 | 241,015 |
All indicators for Rhondda Cynon Taf
Value for the area, then the regional average and the UK median (for counts: regional and UK totals). The gauge places the area between the lowest and highest value in the UK.
Population
| Indicator | Rhondda Cynon Taf | Wales | UK | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Share of residents aged 65 and over (2025) | 20.3% | 22.2% | 20.4% | ranked 190 of 361 | |
| Share of residents aged under 16 (2025) | 17.3% | 16.8% | 17.4% | ranked 188 of 361 |
Housing
| Indicator | Rhondda Cynon Taf | Wales | UK | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dwellings (Council Tax stock) (2026) | 112,180 dwellings | 1,492,630 | 27,429,300 | ranked 77 of 318 | |
| Dwellings built before 1940 (2026) | 53.2% | 39.4% | 31.6% | ranked 25 of 318 | |
| Dwellings built since 2000 (2026) | 11.1% | 15.3% | 18.1% | ranked 295 of 318 | |
| Households (Census 2021) (2021) | 103,339 households | 75,148 | 61,440 | ranked 74 of 318 | |
| Households living in a house or bungalow (2021) | 91.6% | 87.0% | 84.7% | ranked 29 of 318 | |
| Households living in a flat or maisonette (2021) | 8.3% | 12.7% | 14.8% | ranked 284 of 318 | |
| Owner-occupied households (incl. shared ownership) (2021) | 68.5% | 66.3% | 67.3% | ranked 129 of 318 | |
| Households renting privately (2021) | 17.6% | 17.1% | 17.6% | ranked 157 of 318 | |
| Households in social housing (2021) | 13.7% | 16.5% | 14.3% | ranked 182 of 318 | |
| Average house price (2026) | £164,192 | £218,855 | £272,474 | ranked 334 of 360 | |
| House price change over 12 months (2026) | 4.7% | 2.7% | 2.2% | ranked 70 of 360 |
Energy
| Indicator | Rhondda Cynon Taf | Wales | UK | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Households without central heating (2021) | 0.8% | 1.1% | 1.2% | ranked 273 of 318 | |
| Households heated by mains gas only (2021) | 85.8% | 71.8% | 76.7% | ranked 1 of 318 | |
| Households heated by electricity only (2021) | 2.5% | 5.3% | 7.8% | ranked 314 of 318 | |
| Households heated by oil only (2021) | 0.5% | 7.7% | 0.9% | ranked 177 of 318 |
Economy
| Indicator | Rhondda Cynon Taf | Wales | UK | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business sites (local units) (2026) | 6,970 sites | 128,250 | 3,232,440 | ranked 175 of 361 | |
| Business sites per 1,000 residents (2026) | 28.9 per 1,000 | 40.4 per 1,000 | 44.4 per 1,000 | ranked 347 of 361 | |
| Registered businesses (enterprises) (2026) | 5,620 businesses | 106,170 | 2,786,975 | ranked 189 of 361 | |
| Median annual pay, full-time residents (gross) (2025) | £34,837 | £36,288 | £38,490 | ranked 293 of 348 |
Jobs
| Indicator | Rhondda Cynon Taf | Wales | UK | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employment rate, aged 16-64 (2025-2026) | 65.3% | 72.2% | 76.3% | ranked 339 of 347 | |
| Out-of-work benefit claimants, share of residents aged 16-64 (2026) | 3.2% | 3.4% | 3.2% | ranked 169 of 361 |
Transport
| Indicator | Rhondda Cynon Taf | Wales | UK | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Households without a car or van (2021) | 22.2% | 19.5% | 18.5% | ranked 112 of 318 |
Key points
Among the 22 local authorities in Wales, Rhondda Cynon Taf ranks 3 by population.
Households heated by mains gas only: 85.8% in Rhondda Cynon Taf, compared with an average of 71.8% in Wales and 73.9% across the UK.
Employment rate, aged 16-64: 65.3% in Rhondda Cynon Taf, compared with an average of 72.2% in Wales and 75.6% across the UK.
Largest business sector: Wholesale and retail trade, with 19.2% of the area's business sites.
Did you know?
- Number 1 in Wales for “Households heated by mains gas only”.
- “Households heated by mains gas only”: higher than in 100% of local authorities.
- “Employment rate, aged 16-64”: lower than in 98% of local authorities.
- “Business sites per 1,000 residents”: lower than in 96% of local authorities.
- Its area is roughly equal to 59,405 football pitches.
- The nearest local authority is Merthyr Tydfil, 11.8 km away.
- The nearest larger neighbour is Cardiff (381,516 residents), 25 km away.
Business sectors: Rhondda Cynon Taf
Share of each sector in total business sites; “×1.5” means the sector is 1.5 times more common than across the UK.
- Wholesale and retail trade19.2% ×1.2
- Construction15.8% ×1.3
- Professional, scientific and technical8.9% ×0.6
- Accommodation and food services8.7% ×1.2
- Health and social work8.0% ×1.4
- Administrative and support services7.0% ×0.9
- Manufacturing5.5% ×1.3
- Other service activities4.9% ×1.2
Where is Rhondda Cynon Taf?
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Rhondda Cynon Taf?
Rhondda Cynon Taf has 241,015 residents (2025), ranking 88 of 361 local authorities.
How big is Rhondda Cynon Taf?
Rhondda Cynon Taf covers 424.1 km², with a density of 568 people per km².
Is the population of Rhondda Cynon Taf growing?
Between 2015 and 2025, the population of Rhondda Cynon Taf went from 235,233 to 241,015, a change of +2.5%.
Where is Rhondda Cynon Taf?
Rhondda Cynon Taf is in Wales (region). Latitude 51.650, longitude −3.440.
Households heated by mains gas only: what is the figure for Rhondda Cynon Taf?
In Rhondda Cynon Taf, “Households heated by mains gas only” stands at 85.8% (2021), ranking 1 of 318 local authorities; the UK median is 76.7%.
Employment rate, aged 16-64: what is the figure for Rhondda Cynon Taf?
In Rhondda Cynon Taf, “Employment rate, aged 16-64” stands at 65.3% (2025-2026), ranking 339 of 347 local authorities; the UK median is 76.3%.
Which local authorities border Rhondda Cynon Taf?
The nearest to Rhondda Cynon Taf are Merthyr Tydfil (12 km), Caerphilly (18 km), Bridgend (19 km), Neath Port Talbot (21 km), Blaenau Gwent (22 km).