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List of settlements in Devon by population

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Coordinates: 50°42′N 3°48′W / 50.7°N 3.8°W / 50.7; -3.8
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1. Plymouth 256,384 (6%)2. Exeter 117,773 (6%)3. Torquay 65,245 (2%)4. Paignton 49,021 (2%)5. Exmouth 34,432 (4%)6. Barnstaple 24,033 (14%)7. Newton Abbot 24,029 (2%)8. Tiverton 21,335 (13%)9. Brixham 16,693 (-5%)10. Bideford 16,610 (13%)11. Teignmouth 14,749 (2%)12. Sidmouth 13,737 (4%)13. Dawlish 13,161 (0%)14. Tavistock 12,280 (6%)15. Northam 12,062 (9%)16. Ivybridge 11,851 (-2%)17. Ilfracombe 11,509 (6%)18. Honiton 11,156 (3%)19. Kingsteignton 10,451 (-2%)20. Cullompton 8,499 (11%)21. Crediton 7,600 (10%)22. Totnes 7,456 (0%)23. Bovey Tracey 7,168 (3%)24. Okehampton 7,104 (18%)25. Seaton 7,096 (4%)26. Axminster 6,557 (14%)27. Kingsbridge 5,887 (6%)28. Great Torrington 5,714 (8%)29. Dartmouth 5,605 (2%)30. Budleigh Salterton 5,185 (7%)31. Ottery St. Mary 4,898 (11%)32. South Molton 4,875 (16%)33. Chudleigh 4,378 (12%)34. Ashburton 4,087 (4%)35. Buckfastleigh 3,631 (-1%)36. Exminster 3,616 (9%)37. Colyton 3,165 (6%)38. Holsworthy 2,641 (15%)39. Bradninch 2,206 (13%)40. Salcombe 1,909 (1%)41. North Tawton 1,859 (16%)42. Hatherleigh 1,729 (25%)43. Hartland 1,724 (3%)44. Moretonhampstead 1,703 (10%)45. Chagford 1,449 (-1%)46. Chulmleigh 1,323 (1%)47. Beer 1,317 (-5%)
Interactive map showing the location of the towns and cities within Devon. The size of the circle corresponds to the size of its 2011 population and the shade of blue or red to its population growth or decline respectively.

This list is of towns and cities in Devon in order of their population, according to the 2021 census data from the Office for National Statistics. It comprises the Key Statistics for local authorities, civil parishes and wards that attempt to show their populations. The largest settlement in Devon is the city and unitary authority of Plymouth with a population of 266,955, whereas the smallest settlement was the town and civil parish of Beer with a population of 1,280. The city of Exeter, which is home to Exeter Cathedral, is the county town and headquarters of Devon County Council. The ceremonial county of Devon includes unitary authority areas of Plymouth and Torbay, but the non-metropolitan county of Devon excludes such unitary authority areas. It is governed by Devon County Council, whereas Plymouth and Torbay can govern themselves on matters such as transport and education.

Traditionally a town is any settlement which has received a charter of incorporation, more commonly known as a town charter, approved by the monarch. However, since 1974, any civil parish has the right to declare itself as a town. Prior to 1888, city status was given to settlements home to a cathedral of the Church of England such as Exeter. After 1888 it was no longer a necessary condition, leading to Plymouth gaining city-status in 1928. Historical towns such as Plympton, Stonehouse and Devonport, which were merged into the city of Plymouth, have not been included, as well as Topsham, which became a part of Exeter's urban district, and St Marychurch, which was annexed by Torquay. However, the unitary authority area of Torbay recognises the three towns of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham. The ward for Ottery St Mary is also included, as it is titled Ottery St Mary Town.

Changes to population structures have, however, led to explosions in non-traditional settlements that do not fall into traditional, bureaucratic definitions of 'towns'. Several villages, which are not included in this list, have grown steadily and are more populous than many towns. For example, the ward of Fremington, with a population of 4,310.[1] would be ranked 34 whilst its neighbour Braunton civil parish, with a population of 8,128,[2] would be ranked 21.

2011 rank Town/city Population Notes Image
2021[3] 2011[4] 2001[5]
1 Plymouth 266,955 256,384 240,720 City and unitary authority, which includes the suburbs of Plympton and Plymstock. Plympton used to be a separate town and Plymstock is a parish.
2 Exeter 126,175 117,773 111,076 City, urban district and the county town (capital) of Devon. Includes Topsham.
4 Paignton 67,520 49,021[6] 48,251[7] Part of the unitary authority of Torbay
3 Torquay 52,035 65,245[6] 63,998[7] Part of the unitary authority of Torbay
5 Exmouth 35,500 34,432 32,972 Civil parish
6 Barnstaple 31,275 24,033 20,724 Civil parish
7 Newton Abbot 29,650 24,029 23,580 Civil parish
8 Tiverton 19,710 21,335 18,621 Civil parish
9 Brixham 17,840 16,693[6] 17,457[7] Civil parish; part of the unitary authority of Torbay.[8]
10 Bideford 19,490 16,610 14,407 Civil parish
11 Teignmouth 15,315 14,749 14,413 Civil parish
12 Sidmouth 13,265 13,737 13,135 Civil parish
13 Dawlish 12,990^ 13,161 13,135 Civil parish
14 Tavistock 12,670 12,280 11,604 Civil parish
15 Northam 5,190 12,062 11,018 Civil parish
16 Ivybridge 12,490 11,851 12,056 Civil parish
17 Ilfracombe 9,200 11,509 10,840 Civil parish
18 Honiton 12,155 11,156 10,857 Civil parish
19 Kingsteignton 11,940 10,451 10,615 Civil parish
20 Cullompton 8,895 8,499 7,609 Civil parish
21 Crediton 7,975 7,600 6,837 Civil parish
22 Totnes 9,215 7,456 7,444 Civil parish
23 Bovey Tracey 6,240 7,168 6,929 Civil parish
24 Okehampton 9,110 7,104 5,846 Civil parish
25 Seaton 7,435 7,096 6,798 Civil parish
26 Axminster 6,095 6,557 5,626 Civil parish
27 Kingsbridge 5,680 5,887 5,521 Civil parish
28 Great Torrington 5,955 5,714 5,279 Civil parish
29 Dartmouth 5,260 5,605 5,512 Civil parish
30 Budleigh Salterton 5,235 5,185 4,801 Civil parish
31 Ottery St. Mary 6,045 4,898 4,366 Ward, which refers to Ottery St Mary as a "town".
32 South Molton 6,225 4,875 4,093 Civil parish
33 Chudleigh 4,375 4,378 3,846 Civil parish
34 Ashburton 3,365 4,087 3,909 Civil parish
35 Buckfastleigh 2,720 3,631 3,661 Civil parish
36 Exminster 4,385 3,616 3,310 Civil parish
37 Colyton 1,940 3,165 2,964 Civil parish including Colyford
38 Holsworthy 3,470 2,641 2,256 Civil parish
39 Bradninch 1,825 2,206 1,916 Civil parish
40 Salcombe 1,585 1,909 1,893 Civil parish
41 North Tawton 1,785 1,859 1,570 Civil parish
42 Hatherleigh 730 1,729 1,306 Civil parish
43 Hartland 950 1,724 1,676 Civil parish
44 Moretonhampstead 1,335 1,703 1,536 Civil parish
45 Chagford 1,105 1,449 1,470 Civil parish
46 Chulmleigh 1,235 1,323 1,308 Civil parish
47 Beer 1,280 1,317 1,381 Civil parish

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Ward population 2011". Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  2. ^ "Key Figures for 2011 Census: Key Statistics: Braunton". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. 28 March 2011. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
  3. ^ "Towns and cities, characteristics of built-up areas, England and Wales: Census 2021 - Office for National Statistics". www.ons.gov.uk. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  4. ^ "2011 Population: All Usual Residents". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. 27 March 2011. Archived from the original on 6 January 2009. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
  5. ^ "Key Figures for 2001 Census: All people". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. 1 April 2001. Archived from the original on 6 January 2009. Retrieved 28 November 2008.
  6. ^ a b c "Census 2011 - Torbay Profile". Torbay Council. 3 July 2013. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 12 February 2017. (Word document)
  7. ^ a b c "Key Statistics for Tobray — May 2005" (PDF). Census 2001. The Consultation and Research Team, Torbay Council. p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 February 2012. Retrieved 28 November 2008.
  8. ^ "Brixham Town Council". Torbay Council. 29 October 2009. Archived from the original on 9 October 2009. Retrieved 29 October 2009.

50°42′N 3°48′W / 50.7°N 3.8°W / 50.7; -3.8

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