Birmingham's significant decline occurred from the late 1960s through the 1980s, driven by rapid deindustrialisation, the closure of large factories, and restrictive government planning. After peaking in population in 1951, the city lost 50,000 jobs between 1961 and 1971, with unemployment soaring during the 1970s and 80s.
ETHNICITY: The Birmingham population is split 51.4% (588,314) 89Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic (overall)= and 48.6% (556,608) <White (overall)= in 2021, compared to 42.1% (451,409) 89Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic (overall)= and 57.9% (621,636) <White (overall)= in 2011.
Birmingham became the third most heavily bombed city in England after London and Liverpool, with a total of 365 air raid warnings sounded in Birmingham and 77 recorded air raids throughout WWII. A total of 2,241 people were killed and 3,010 people were injured, whilst 12,391 houses and 302 factories were destroyed5.
The destruction of Warsaw was practically unparalleled in the Second World War, with it being noted that "Perhaps no city suffered more than Warsaw during World War II", with historian Alexandra Richie stating that "The destruction of Warsaw was unique even in the terrible history of the Second World War".
Hugh Callaghan died on 27 May 2023, aged 93. Patrick Hill died in his home in Ayrshire, on 30 December 2024, aged 80. As of 2011, of the three surviving members of the Birmingham Six, Gerard Hunter resided in Portugal, John Walker in Donegal and William Power in London.
Cities across the UK regions with high White British populations included Swansea (91.5%), Kingston Upon Hull (89.7%), Plymouth (92.2%), Darlington (93.7%), Belfast (96.4% – NI classification "white"), Norwich (84.7%), Liverpool (84.8%) and Chelmsford (90.0%).
Birmingham is currently declining at a rate of -0.23% annually and its population has decreased by -1.95% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 200,270 in 2020.
The name allegedly came from a chant of "Zulu, Zulu" which Manchester City fans aimed at Birmingham in 1982, due to their multicultural following. However, both the "Zulu" chant and the term "Zulu Warriors", in the context of a fan following rather than as an organised gang, were in use from at least the mid 1970s.
Birmingham City's owners, Knighthead Capital Management, led by Tom Wagner, have significant wealth, with Wagner's personal net worth estimated around $1.6 billion (£1.34 billion) as of late 2024/early 2025, placing their ownership group among the wealthier ones in the EFL Championship. They also have NFL legend Tom Brady as a minority partner, adding to the club's overall financial power.
Population growth and housing pressures: Rapid residential expansion has increased demand for housing, pushing many into poor-quality, overcrowded homes. Infrastructure and services have been unable to keep up with this growth which has intensified inequalities in employment, education and health.
Geographically, Birmingham, or the Midlands conurbation is about half the size of London's, however it feels like it's about 1/5 the size, and I think that's probably mostly down to how much taller London is, and dense, and how many more big buildings there are.
Although less than 10% of the total UK-born population lived in London, the city was home to one-third of the total foreign-born population in the country. Northern Ireland, the North East, and Wales were the least popular destinations for migrants.
The settlements with the largest numbers of Muslims are Birmingham, Bradford, London, Manchester and Leicester. There are also high numbers in Kirklees, Luton, Bolton, Slough, Rochdale and mill towns of Northern England like Oldham and Blackburn.
Brent, Newham and Tower Hamlets have the highest percentage of non-White British residents and the highest proportion of households with multiple ethnic groups.
In total, 2,241 people were killed, and 3,010 seriously injured. A further 3,682 sustained lesser injuries. 12,391 houses, 302 factories and 239 other buildings were destroyed, with many more damaged.
One of the pioneers of heavy metal and one of its most commercially successful and iconic artists, Ozzy Osbourne was born in Birmingham, England, as John Michael Osbourne, the son of Lillian (Unitt) and John Thomas Osbourne. After leaving school and having many odd jobs, he ended up in a band with Geezer Butler.
