THE population of West Devon has increased by 9.4%, according to census information released by the Office for National Statistics.

The borough council's population on census day (March 27, 2011) was 53,500, compared with 48,900 in 2001.

According to the census, West Devon is the least densely populated district in the South West, with 46 people per square kilometre. Ninety eight percent of adults in West Devon responded to the census, compared with 94% nationally.