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Census 2011: Welsh speaking areas declining Census 2011: Welsh speaking areas declining
(35 minutes later)
There has been a fall in the number of places where over half the population can speak Welsh, the latest figures from the 2011 census show.There has been a fall in the number of places where over half the population can speak Welsh, the latest figures from the 2011 census show.
There were 157 council wards with over 50% of Welsh speakers in 2011, compared to 192 in 2001.There were 157 council wards with over 50% of Welsh speakers in 2011, compared to 192 in 2001.
Census figures released in December showed an overall drop of 2% in the number of people who speak Welsh to 19% of the population in Wales.Census figures released in December showed an overall drop of 2% in the number of people who speak Welsh to 19% of the population in Wales.
Ward-by-ward breakdowns have now been revealed.Ward-by-ward breakdowns have now been revealed.
According to the data released on Wednesday, the place in Wales with the highest proportion of people, aged over three who can speak read or write Welsh was Penygroes in Gwynedd, at 78.9%. According to the data released on Wednesday, Llanrug in Gwynedd was the electoral division with the highest proportion of Welsh speakers - 88% - in 2011.
This was followed by Llanrug, also in Gwynedd (at 78.8%) and the Bethel ward (77.1%).
The area with the least ability to speak, read and write Welsh was Churchstoke in Powys at 2.7%, followed by Townhill in Swansea at 3.7% and Saltney in Flintshire at 3.8%.
The figures also show that there were fewer places where at least 70% of people speak Welsh, down from 59 - or 7% - to 49, which is 6%.The figures also show that there were fewer places where at least 70% of people speak Welsh, down from 59 - or 7% - to 49, which is 6%.
Apart from one ward in Conwy, all the communities where 70% of people speak Welsh were in Gwynedd or on Anglesey.Apart from one ward in Conwy, all the communities where 70% of people speak Welsh were in Gwynedd or on Anglesey.
There were 881 wards, or electoral divisions, at the time of both the 2011 and 2001 censuses.
Shock at declineShock at decline
When the first census figures on the use of the Welsh language were released last month there was shock among politicians and organisations at the decline over the last decade.When the first census figures on the use of the Welsh language were released last month there was shock among politicians and organisations at the decline over the last decade.
The statistics suggested Welsh was now a minority language in two heartlands, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion.The statistics suggested Welsh was now a minority language in two heartlands, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion.
The latest figures back this up, showing that there were no places in Carmarthenshire in 2011 where more than 70% of the population could speak Welsh.The latest figures back this up, showing that there were no places in Carmarthenshire in 2011 where more than 70% of the population could speak Welsh.
That has fallen from five such council wards in 2001.That has fallen from five such council wards in 2001.
Just two areas, Monmouthshire and Cardiff, have seen a percentage increase in Welsh speakers over the last 10 years.Just two areas, Monmouthshire and Cardiff, have seen a percentage increase in Welsh speakers over the last 10 years.
More to follow.More to follow.