In 2004 the Office for National Statistics estimated the county’s population at 393,900, making it the 47th largest ceremonial county in England. Using Census 2001 data the ONS estimated the contiguous built-up area to be 420,556, and metropolitan area to be 550,000.

This makes the city England’s sixth most populous city, and seventh most populous metropolitan area. At 3,599 people per square kilometre it has the seventh highest population density of any English district.

Sixty percent of Bristol’s population registered their religion as Christianity, and 25% as not religious in the 2001 census, compared to 72% and 15% nationally. Two percent of the population follow Islam (3% nationally), with no other religion above one percent.