Surrey is a Jedi Knights stronghold, according to latest census figures (From Redhill And Reigate Life)

Surrey is a Jedi Knights stronghold, according to latest census figures

2:19pm Monday 14th January 2013 in News

The Force is strong in leafy Surrey with more than 4,000 Jedi Knights ready to repel Darth Vader.

That is the surprising news from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which has released its latest Census details online.

The details, which are now available on Surrey-i, an online vault of facts and figures, show no less than 4,156 people in the county claim to be light sabre-wielding Jedi disciples from the Star Wars movies.

And the Force has been found to be especially strong around Guildford, with the town identified as a stronghold for the knights.

Nearly 600 people there stand ready to keep the town safe from the ‘dark side,’ according to Surrey County Council, which has trawled the ONS data.

A county council spokesman said: “While Luke Skywalker may not agree they are all genuine, Surrey’s intergalactic warriors have made Jedi Knights a popular ‘religion’ in the county.”

However, the ONS figures have also revealed that nearly 25% of people in the county say they are not religious, and 849 people describe themselves as pagans.

Further interesting facts include ten per cent of residents not having a passport and more people in Surrey being educated to at least degree level – 36% - than anywhere else in the South-east.

The spokesman said: “A wealth of other data is stored on the free website, which was developed by Surrey County Council for all the public services in the county.”

They include the county, borough and district councils, the Surrey County Association of Parish and Town Councils, Surrey Police, NHS Surrey and the voluntary and business sectors.

By visiting the online vault, households can find the nearest schools and libraries, as well as information on local doctors, hospitals, charities and councillors. Businesses can access information such as workforce skills, the county’s economic performance and the success of company start-ups.

Peter Martin, Surrey County Council’s deputy leader, said: “Surrey-i really is a treasure trove of information and facts, whether you want to know how many members of the Jedi Order live nearby, you’re looking to start a business in the county, or you’re from a charity helping vulnerable people.”

To use the website, visit: www.surreyi.gov.uk