A report published by the think-tank Centre for Cities on 26 January 2026 has named Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, as the fifth fastest-growing city in the United Kingdom. The Cities Outlook 2026 analysis shows the city’s population grew by about 14.2% between 2014 and 2024, to around 223,655 residents.
Local leaders and the Centre for Cities say the boom is driven in part by the city’s relative affordability compared with London and Cambridge, and by a direct rail link to the capital (the fastest services take roughly 46–48 minutes). The growth has also been helped by the maturing of the ARU Peterborough campus — which opened in September 2022 and, at the time of publication, is in its fourth academic year.
While the report highlights success in job creation (the local jobs market has grown markedly over the last decade), rapid expansion has placed pressure on local housing supply, traffic and school places. To increase housing supply the council is progressing a Local Plan review and recent consultations have set out proposals and targets to boost delivery; specific numerical housing pledges should be cited from council publications before being reported as a precise commitment.
Preliminary works have begun on the circa-£65 million Station Quarter redevelopment around the train station, with government and local funding approved and main construction phases scheduled to start in 2026. Local and regional leaders say the project is intended to improve connectivity and support the city’s expanding population and business base.
