# Ely

> city and civil parish in Cambridgeshire, England

**Wikidata**: [Q209176](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q209176)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ely,_Cambridgeshire)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ely

## Summary

Ely is a city and civil parish in Cambridgeshire, England, located in the East Cambridgeshire district. It serves as the administrative capital of East Cambridgeshire and is notable for its historic cathedral, Ely Cathedral, which dominates the local landscape. The city had a population of 20,574 according to the 2021 census.

## Key Facts

- **Classification**: City and civil parish with city status in Cambridgeshire, England
- **Location**: East Cambridgeshire district, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 52.398055555556, Longitude 0.26222222222222
- **Area**: 23 square miles
- **Population (2021)**: 20,574 (8,968 males, 10,594 females, 9,980 households)
- **Population (2011)**: 20,256 (preferred value)
- **Population (2001)**: 15,102
- **Historic County**: Cambridgeshire
- **Capital of**: East Cambridgeshire
- **Located in**: East Cambridgeshire
- **Water Body**: River Great Ouse
- **Postal Codes**: CB6, CB7
- **Local Dialing Code**: 01353
- **OS Grid Reference**: TL5379
- **Website**: https://www.cityofelycouncil.org.uk/
- **Council Authority**: City of Ely Council (town council)
- **UN/LOCODE**: GBELY
- **Twin Town**: Ribe
- **Shares Border With**: Little Downham

### Identification Numbers

- **VIAF ID**: 132490111
- **GND ID**: 4085571-5
- **Geonames ID**: 2650023
- **Freebase ID**: /m/01n9tr
- **OpenStreetMap Relation ID**: 1609357
- **MusicBrainz Area ID**: b51c6df4-286f-46f4-9219-84d6b6445765
- **GSS Codes (2011)**: E04012829, E04001630

### Historical Population Data

- 1801: 3,948
- 1811: 4,249
- 1821: 5,079
- 1831: 6,189
- 1841: 6,849
- 1851: 7,632
- 1861: 7,982
- 1871: 8,166
- 1881: 8,171
- 1891: 8,017
- 1901: 7,803
- 1911: 7,917
- 1921: 7,690
- 1931: 8,381
- 1951: 9,988
- 1961: 9,803
- 1971: 9,966
- 1981: 10,392
- 1991: 11,291

## FAQs

**What type of administrative area is Ely?**

Ely is classified as both a city and a civil parish with city status, serving as the administrative center of East Cambridgeshire in Cambridgeshire, England. It is governed by the City of Ely Council, which functions as a town council.

**What is the population of Ely?**

According to the 2021 census, Ely had a population of 20,574 residents. The population has grown significantly over time, from just 3,948 in 1801 to over 20,000 in recent decades. The 2011 census recorded 20,256 residents, and the 2001 census recorded 15,102.

**What river flows through Ely?**

Ely is located on the River Great Ouse, which runs through the city. The river has historically been important for transportation and trade in the region.

**What is Ely famous for?**

Ely is famous primarily for its magnificent cathedral, Ely Cathedral, which is a major architectural landmark and tourist attraction. The city has a rich religious history dating back to the 7th century and was historically an important ecclesiastical center.

**What are the neighboring areas to Ely?**

Ely shares its border with Little Downham. The city is located within the East Cambridgeshire district of Cambridgeshire.

**What is the dialing code for Ely?**

The local dialing code for Ely is 01353.

**Is Ely twinned with any other city?**

Yes, Ely is twinned with Ribe, which is located in Denmark.

## Why It Matters

Ely holds significant historical, religious, and administrative importance in England. As the seat of East Cambridgeshire District Council, it serves as the administrative hub for a large rural area of Cambridgeshire. The city's cathedral, Ely Cathedral, is one of the finest examples of Norman architecture in England and has been a center of religious pilgrimage and significance since the 7th century. The city's location on the River Great Ouse made it historically important for trade and transport, and its name itself derives from its island location in the fens (from the Old English "eglh") meaning "island."

The city's growth from a small settlement of fewer than 4,000 residents in 1801 to over 20,000 today reflects its evolution from a religious center to a modern administrative and service center. Ely's continued population growth demonstrates its ongoing relevance as a place to live and work, while its historical heritage makes it a significant tourist destination. The city's status as a civil parish with city status is relatively rare in England, underscoring its historical significance and the unique character of its governance structure.

## Notable For

- **Ely Cathedral**: One of the finest examples of Norman architecture in England, dominating the local skyline for over 900 years
- **City Status**: One of the smaller English cities, holding city status as a civil parish
- **Administrative Capital**: Serves as the administrative center for East Cambridgeshire district
- **Island Location**: The city's name derives from its historical island location in the fenlands
- **Historic Population Growth**: Population increased over fivefold from 1801 to 2021
- **River Navigation**: Located on the River Great Ouse, historically important for trade
- **Multiple Language Wikipedia Presence**: Has Wikipedia articles in over 80 languages, indicating international recognition

## Body

### Geography and Location

Ely is situated in the fenlands of Cambridgeshire, England, at coordinates 52.398055555556 latitude and 0.26222222222222 longitude. The city occupies an area of 23 square miles, making it a relatively spacious settlement. The name "Ely" derives from the Old English word for island ("eglh"), reflecting its historical position as a raised area in the otherwise marshy fenland. The River Great Ouse flows through the city, providing a natural waterway that has historically facilitated trade and transport.

The city is located within the East Cambridgeshire district and serves as its administrative capital. Ely shares a border with Little Downham and falls within the historic county of Cambridgeshire. The postal codes for the area are CB6 and CB7, and the local telephone dialing code is 01353. The OS grid reference for Ely is TL5379.

### Governance and Administration

Ely is governed by the City of Ely Council, which operates as a town council. The city holds the distinction of being classified as both a city and a civil parish with city status—a relatively rare combination in English local government. As the administrative capital of East Cambridgeshire, the city hosts the headquarters of the district council, making it the political and administrative center for the surrounding rural area.

The city has a GSS code of E04012829 for 2011 census purposes, with an additional code of E04001630 for certain administrative functions. The UN/LOCODE for Ely is GBELY, used for shipping and trade documentation.

### Population and Demographics

Ely has experienced substantial population growth over the past two centuries. In 1801, the population was 3,948, growing to 5,079 by 1821 and reaching 8,171 by 1881. The population peaked in the Victorian era at around 8,400 in the 1930s, then declined slightly before resuming growth in the post-war period. By 1991, the population had reached 11,291, and the 2001 census recorded 15,102 residents.

The 2011 census showed a population of 20,256 (8,539 males, 10,314 females, 9,942 households), making it the preferred population figure. The most recent 2021 census recorded 20,574 residents (8,968 males, 10,594 females, 9,980 households), demonstrating continued growth. The gender distribution shows a slightly higher female population, which is consistent with national trends in many English towns.

### Historical Significance

Ely's history is deeply intertwined with its religious heritage. The city became an important ecclesiastical center following the establishment of a monastery in the 7th century. The foundation of Ely Cathedral in 1083 marked the beginning of the city's prominence as a religious center. The cathedral became a major pilgrimage destination and the see of the Bishop of Ely.

The city's island location in the fens made it strategically important during various periods of English history. The fenlands surrounding Ely were historically difficult to traverse, providing natural defenses. The city was also the site of a significant royal palace used by medieval kings.

### Cultural and Community Features

Ely maintains a strong community identity with various local organizations and facilities. The city has an active subreddit (r/ely) and a BBC Things ID for local news coverage. The city is served by the City of Ely Council, which maintains the official website at https://www.cityofelycouncil.org.uk/.

The city has several notable categories on Wikipedia, including categories for people born in Ely and people who died in Ely. The commons category for Ely, Cambridgeshire contains images and media related to the city.

### International Connections

Ely has several international connections through its various identification numbers and twin town relationships. The city is twinned with Ribe in Denmark, reflecting potential historical or cultural links. The VIAF (Virtual International Authority File) ID is 132490111, allowing for international cataloging consistency. The GND (German National Library) ID is 4085571-5, and the Geonames ID is 2650023.

The city appears in Wikipedia in over 80 language editions, from English to Chinese to Arabic, demonstrating its international recognition. The MusicBrainz area ID is b51c6df4-286f-46f4-9219-84d6b6445765, indicating its inclusion in music geography databases.

### Transportation and Infrastructure

The city's location on the River Great Ouse historically provided water transport connections. The modern transportation infrastructure includes road connections via the A10 and A142 roads. The postal codes CB6 and CB7 cover the city area, facilitating mail delivery and location services.

The UN/LOCODE GBELY indicates the city's recognition in international shipping and trade contexts. The OS grid reference TL5379 provides precise mapping coordinates for the settlement.

### Economic and Social Profile

As the administrative center of East Cambridgeshire, Ely serves as a hub for public services, retail, and tourism. The city provides services to residents of the surrounding rural area and benefits from tourism related to its cathedral and historical heritage. The population growth from 1991 to 2021 (from approximately 11,300 to over 20,500) reflects its attractiveness as a place to live, driven by its quality of life, historical character, and proximity to Cambridge.

## References

1. [Source](http://data.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/doc/7000000000001223)
2. [Source](https://github.com/JohnMarkOckerbloom/ftl/blob/master/data/wikimap)
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. Czech National Authority Database
5. MusicBrainz
6. [Key Statistics. Office for National Statistics](https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/sources/census_2001_ks)
7. [Key Statistics. Office for National Statistics](https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/sources/census_2011_ks)
8. [Parish Profiles. Office for National Statistics](https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/sources/census_2021_pp)
9. [Historic Census figures Cambridgeshire to 2011. Cambridgeshire County Council](http://www.cambridgeshireinsight.org.uk/file/2001/download)
10. GeoNames
11. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/gb.htm)
12. Virtual International Authority File
13. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)