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 and civil parishes that attempt to show their populations. The largest settlement in Devon is the city and unitary authority of Plymouth with a population of 264,695, whereas the smallest settlement was the town and civil parish of Beer with a population of 1,283. 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.
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 5,231 would be ranked 35 whilst its neighbour Braunton civil parish, with a population of 8,210, would be ranked 23.
2011 rankTown/cityPopulationNotesImage202120112001 1Plymouth264,695 256,384 240,720 City and unitary authority, which includes the suburbs of Plympton and Plymstock. Plympton used to be a separate town and Plymstock is a parish. 2Exeter130,709 117,773 111,076 City, urban district and the county town (capital) of Devon. Includes Topsham. 3Paignton67,488 62,753 62,761 Part of the unitary authority of Torbay. Wards such as Cockington, Torquay station, and Torbay Hospital are included here rather than in Torquay. 4Torquay52,037 48,563 46,650 Part of the unitary authority of Torbay 5Exmouth35,488 34,432 32,972 Civil parish 6Newton Abbot26,746 24,029 23,580 Civil parish 7Barnstaple23,976 24,033 20,724 Civil parish 8Tiverton22,291 21,335 18,621 Civil parish 9Bideford18,260 16,610 14,407 Civil parish 10Brixham16,825 16,693 (Word document) 17,457Civil parish; part of the unitary authority of Torbay. 11Dawlish15,257 13,161 13,135 Civil parish 12Teignmouth14,932 14,749 14,413 Civil parish 13Sidmouth14,377 13,737 13,135 Civil parish 14Tavistock12,675 12,280 11,604 Civil parish 15Northam12,356 12,062 11,018 Civil parish 16Kingsteignton11,935 10,451 10,615 Civil parish 17Ivybridge11,901 11,851 12,056 Civil parish 18Honiton11,316 11,156 10,857 Civil parish 19Ilfracombe11,042 11,509 10,840 Civil parish 20Cullompton10,492 8,499 7,609 Civil parish 21Totnes8,240 7,456 7,444 Civil parish 22Axminster8,118 6,557 5,626 Civil parish 23Crediton8,070 7,600 6,837 Civil parish 24Bovey Tracey7,996 7,168 6,929 Civil parish 25Ottery St. Mary7,986 6,712 6,054 Civil parish 26Seaton7,693 7,096 6,798 Civil parish 27Okehampton7,313 7,104 5,846 Civil parish 28South Molton6,354 4,875 4,093 Civil parish 29Great Torrington5,797 5,714 5,279 Civil parish 30Kingsbridge5,683 5,887 5,521 Civil parish 31Dartmouth5,259 5,605 5,512 Civil parish 32Budleigh Salterton5,240 5,185 4,801 Civil parish 33Chudleigh4,752 4,378 3,846 Civil parish 34Exminster4,644 3,616 3,310 Civil parish 35Ashburton4,224 4,087 3,909 Civil parish 36Buckfastleigh3,571 3,631 3,661 Civil parish 37Holsworthy3,475 2,641 2,256 Civil parish 38Colyton2,374 2,316 2,193 Civil parish 39Bradninch2,165 2,206 1,916 Civil parish 40North Tawton2,119 1,859 1,570 Civil parish41Modbury20071,6771,454Civil parish 42Hatherleigh1,902 1,729 1,306 Civil parish 43Hartland1,864 1,724 1,676 Civil parish44Bampton1,8421,7911,598Civil Parish 45Moretonhampstead1,728 1,703 1,536 Civil parish 46Salcombe1,584 1,909 1,893 Civil parish 47Chulmleigh1,582 1,323 1,308 Civil parish 48Chagford1,539 1,449 1,470 Civil parish49Lynton and Lynmouth1,4051,4411,513Civil parish. Includes the town of Lynton and the village of Lynmouth. 50Beer1,283 1,317 1,381 Civil parish
See also List of urban areas in the United Kingdom List of English districts by population
References