This is a list of the most populous civil parishes in England.[1] It includes all civil parishes with populations over 30,000, representing less than 1% of all civil parishes but almost 3% of the population.
Lichfield, Hereford and Salisbury are in addition to being some of the most populous civil parishes in England, among the smallest cities.
The first civil parish councils were created in 1894, mostly in rural areas, replacing the duties of local church authorities.
Many large parishes have been created during the 21st century, due in part to new procedures making their creation easier, and also the ongoing creation of large unitary authorities, which has led to the desire to retain a more local tier of government.
In 2020, Northampton became the largest civil parish in England due to local government reorganisation in 2021 which saw it become part of the larger West Northamptonshire unitary authority.[2]
| Rank | Parish | District | Population | Status | Parish council created | Council | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 137,387[3] | Town | 2020 | Northampton Town Council | |||
| 2 | 95,107 | Town | 2016 | Sutton Coldfield Town Council | |||
| 3 | 80,162 | Town | 2000 | Weston-super-Mare Town Council | |||
| 4 | 76,782 | Town | 2009 | Shrewsbury Town Council | |||
| 5 | 57,285 | Town | 2001 | Aylesbury Town Council | |||
| 6 | 57,100 | Town | 2021 | Kettering Town Council | |||
| 7. | 56,932 | Town | 2017 | Lowestoft Town Council | |||
| 8 | 55,530 | Town | 2015 | Kidderminster Town Council | |||
| 9 | 55,318 | Town | 2013 | Crewe Town Council | |||
| 10 | 55,133 | Town | 2002 | Keighley Town Council | |||
| 11 | 54,265 | Town | 1955 | Bracknell Town Council | |||
| 12 | 53,000 | Town | 2019 | Weymouth Town Council | |||
| 13 | 52,515 | Parish | 2017 | South Swindon Parish Council | |||
| 14 | 52,044 | Town | 2015 | Macclesfield Town Council | |||
| 15 | 50,537 | City | 2000 | Hereford City Council | |||
| 16 | 49,563 | Town | 2002 | Royal Leamington Spa Town Council | |||
| 17 | 45,052 | Town | 2000 | Banbury Town Council | |||
| 18 | 42,058 | Town | 2004 | Folkestone Town Council | |||
| 19 | 39,896 | City | 2009 | Salisbury City Council | |||
| 20 | 39,858 | Town | 2009 | Ramsgate Town Council | |||
| 21 | 39,167 | Town | 1984 | Farnham Town Council | |||
| 22 | 38,941 | Town | 2007 | Canvey Island Town Council | |||
| 23 | 38,600 | Town | 1894 | Hatfield Town Council | |||
| 24 | 37,873 | Town | Bishop's Stortford Town Council | ||||
| 25 | 37,854 | Town | 2003 | Bury St Edmunds Town Council | |||
| 26 | 37,084 | Town | 1894 | Elstree and Borehamwood Town Council | |||
| 27 | 37,081 | Town | Leighton-Linslade Town Council | ||||
| 28 | 36,977 | Town | 2010 | Andover Town Council | |||
| 29 | 36,530 | Town | 2009 | Morecambe Town Council | |||
| 30 | 36,424 | Town | 2007 | Billingham Town Council | |||
| 31 | 36,379 | Town | 2009 | Blyth Town Council | |||
| 32 | 36,324 | Town | 2000 | Bridlington Town Council | |||
| 33 | 35,625 | Town | 2003 | Bridgwater Town Council | |||
| 34 | 35,155 | Town | 1984 | Chippenham Town Council | |||
| 35 | 35,068 | Town | 1985 | Dunstable Town Council | |||
| 36 | 34,441 | Town | 1995 | Exmouth Town Council | |||
| 37 | 33,755 | Town | Earley Town Council | ||||
| 38 | 33,495 | Parish | 2017 | Central Swindon North Parish Council | |||
| 39 | 32,903 | Parish | 1894 | Ecclesfield Parish Council | |||
| 40 | 32,183 | Town | Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council | ||||
| 41 | 31,982 | Town | 1996 | Rayleigh Town Council | |||
| 42 | 31,832 | Town | 2000 | Morley Town Council | |||
| 43 | 31,673 | Town | 2007 | Stanley Town Council | |||
| 42 | 31,392 | Town | Trowbridge Town Council | ||||
| 45 | 31,218 | Town | 1996 | Loughton Town Council | |||
| 46 | 31,200 | Town | 1997 | Newbury Town Council | |||
| 47 | 31,068 | City | 1980 | Lichfield City Council | |||
| 48 | 31,038 | Town | Winsford Town Council | ||||
| 49 | 30,474 | Town | Bicester Town Council |