Wolverhampton's population to rise by 32,000 in next 23 years

The increase is predicted by the Office for National Statistics, which puts the current population at 256,000.

The projections for the next 23 years see Wolverhampton's population increasing by up to 2,000 people per year.

The 12.5 per cent rise is also set to pile on the pressure for school places, with a recent council report already stating that the city would need 700 extra school places over the next six years alone.

However, according to the new ONS data, the number of those aged under 19, currently estimated at 65,000, will rise by 3,000 in six years. By 2039, it will hit 73,000.

The statistics paint a similar picture in the rest of the region.

Sandwell's population is expected to rise from 322,000 to 378,000.

Walsall's population will also rise at a similar rate, going from 277,000 to 313,000.

In contrast, Dudley is set to see the smallest population increase, with the number of people living there set to increase by 6.6 per cent to 338,000.

Birmingham's population is set to jump by 18.5 per cent from 1.1 million to 1.3 million. Across the Black Country and Birmingham as a whole, an increase from 2.8 million to 3.3 million is expected.

Plans are already under way to increase housing in Wolverhampton, including an extra 400 new council homes by 2020.

A council spokesman said: "Strategies are in place to keep pace with the increase in population. Work has already begun on raising the capacity of schools.

"The housing strategy for 2013 to 2018 is based on an anticipated growth of around 11 per cent in the number of households between 2006 and 2026. The target forWolverhampton is to build 13,400 new homes between 2006 and 2026. Sufficient land has been identified to meet the projected housing targets and the council is eager to increase the rate of delivery."

Meanwhile there are fears that the population increase will only add to the strain upon healthcare, with New Cross Hospital already struggling to meet national targets over A&E four-hour waiting times.

A spokesperson for The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust said: "We strive to provide high quality, safe care for all patients at all times and we will continue to do so year on year, working with our partners across the NHS."