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Huge rise in people identifying as Cornish in latest census data

Almost 100,000 people across the UK identify as Cornish in the latest census data.

Here in Cornwall, 80,000 people recorded a Cornish only identity, this is a rise of 9.9% from the last census in 2011.  

A further 9,000 people (1.6%) selected Cornish in combination with one or more UK identities – up from 5,000 (1%) in 2011. 

11,000 people (0.02% of usual residents) selected either a "Cornish" only identity or a "Cornish" identity in combination with "British" (an increase from 8,000 people, or 0.01%, in 2011.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said questionnaires were more user-friendly, easier to search and people could write in Cornish.

"The census provides a unique and comprehensive understanding of everyone's self-defined cultural identity, which in turn leads to a more accurate picture of the population," Census Deputy Director Jon Wroth-Smith said.

"Today's data highlights the increasingly multi-cultural society we live in. The percentage of people identifying their ethnic group as 'White: English, Welsh, Scottish, Northern Irish or British', continues to decrease.

"Whilst this remains the most common response to the ethnic group question, the number of people identifying with another ethnic group continues to increase."

Further analysis of the data is expected in the new year.  

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