Rise of the Jedi as Christianity on decline!

THE number of people in Warrington calling themselves Christians has dropped by more than 10 per cent according to the latest census figures for the town – with more than 500 people listing being a Jedi Knight as their religion!
There has also been an increase in people following other religions such as spiritualists or wiccans, which draw on the traditions of witchcraft, with more than 20 per cent saying they have no religion, an increase of more than 10 per cent from the previous census.
The new information comes as more detailed reports from the 2011 census are released showing changes to the town over the past decade.
It shows an 11 per cent drop to 144,405 (71.4 per cent) of people saying they are Christians. But the town still ranks 21st in England and Wales for Christianity.
The survey showed that 41,923 (20.4 per cent) of people said they have “no religion” which is an increase of 10 per cent on 2001.
Warrington also has 180 pagans, 120 spiritualists, 545 (0.3 per cent) Jedi Knights, 52 “heavy metal” and 39 wiccans.
Jedi Knights feature in the Star Wars movies – with the most famous being Yoda (pictured right).
Information also shows that travel abroad is not an option for many as 31,140 or 15.5 per cent, do not own a passport.
There are changes to the make up of the town’s population with 3,016 (1.5 per cent) saying they were born in the new EU accession states in Eastern Europe eg Poland and Romania. A total of 541 were born in East Asia (eg China or Hong Kong), and 1,826 born in South Asia, with the majority from India (1,147).
The census information is used by the borough council and public service providers to plan services such as schools, housing, transport and hospitals in Warrington.
Information shows Warrington population has increased over the decade by 5.8 per cent to just over 202,000. Of these19 per cent are under 15, 65 per cent are aged 16 to 64 years and 16 per cent are now over 65.
Of the 85,140 local households, 11.6 per cent are pensioners living alone, and there has been an increase in single households from 14.6 per cent to 17.2 per cent. There has been a fall in numbers of people in owner occupied properties and an increase in those renting.
Two areas of the town – Bewsey and Whitecross and Whittle Hall – are booming with population increasing by 30 per cent and 43 per cent respectively. Rixton and Woolston’s population has decreased by 6.5 per cent during the same period.
Fortunately 82.5 per cent of people thought they were in good or very good health at the time of filling out their census in March 2011, whilst 5.4 per cent felt they were in bad or very bad health. Almost 10 per cent of the local population provides unpaid care for loved ones.