The population
of the Isle of Man.
84,069 residents were counted at the 2021 census. Here is how that count fits into the island’s history, its towns and newer population estimates.
How many people live on the Isle of Man?
The 2021 census recorded a resident population of 84,069. It includes residents who were away on census night, as well as those present. Visitors are counted separately. The census took place on the night of 30–31 May 2021; this is a historical count, not a live estimate for 2026.
Resident population. The basis for the town and village figures below.
Experimental estimate reproduced in Isle of Man in Numbers 2025. Later releases can revise it.
The two figures have different reference dates and methods. The 2024 figure is included as a dated example of the annual estimate series, not a claim that it is the latest available estimate. For newer releases, use the official Census and Population page.
Statistics Isle of Man describes its annual estimates as experimental and subject to restatement as the method develops. Keep estimates separate from the census series when comparing places or calculating population change. Source: 2025 compendium, key data and population tables.
Population over time.
The census series grew between 1991 and 2011, fell in 2016 and rose again in 2021. The increase from 2016 to 2021 was 755 residents. These counts show change between census dates; they do not explain the individual contributions of migration, births or deaths.
Population of towns and villages.
Douglas had 26,677 residents at the 2021 census. Onchan, although described as a village district in the source table, had more residents than Ramsey. Settlement titles and population size do not always follow the same order.
| Place / district | Residents |
|---|---|
| Douglas | 26,677 |
| Onchan | 9,039 |
| Ramsey | 8,288 |
| Peel | 5,710 |
| Port Erin | 3,730 |
| Castletown | 3,206 |
| Port St Mary | 1,989 |
| Laxey | 1,656 |
Source: Table 11, Population by Town, Village and Parish. This is a selection, not all districts. Names and boundaries follow the published census table; do not treat the rows as current council boundaries or add them to obtain the whole-island total.
For a visitor, these figures give a sense of scale rather than a ranking of places to stay. A smaller coastal base may suit a beach or walking trip, while a larger centre can provide a different choice of connections and evening options. Compare the practical accommodation bases with the places you want to visit.
Useful questions.
Is 84,069 the current population?
It is the resident population counted at the 2021 census. It should always be labelled with that year. Annual estimates are a different series and may be revised; check the official source for newer releases.
What is the population of Douglas?
Douglas had 26,677 residents in the 2021 census. This is a dated count for the area in the published census table, not a current estimate for a wider urban area.
Why do websites give different population figures?
They may use different dates, resident counts, estimates, projections or geographic boundaries. Check the definition and reference period before comparing two numbers. A future population target is not an observed population.
Sources & definitions.
Each figure keeps its reference period. A review date records when we checked the source, not when the underlying data was collected.
Isle of Man in Numbers 2025
Statistics Isle of Man, Cabinet Office · Published September 2025. Tables 9 and 11 (population); Table 24 (1991–2020 climate averages).
Reviewed 18 October 2026. Check for a newer release ↗
Census and Population
Statistics Isle of Man. 2021 resident population and the explanation of experimental annual estimates.
Reviewed 18 October 2026.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Isle of Man Open Government Licence, where applicable. Sources are credited individually; our selection and explanations are independent. Our editorial standards.