Rayleigh is a town located in Essex, in the East of England, with a population of approximately 32,200 residents as of the 2021 census(Rayleigh, Essex - Wikipedia)(Rayleigh (Essex, East of England, United Kingdom) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map, Location, Weather and Web Information). It is part of the Rochford District, situated within the broader London commuter belt.

The town's built-up area has a fairly dense population. The exact population density varies depending on the specific area within Rayleigh, but based on the town's population and area, the average population density of the built-up area of Rayleigh is roughly calculated as follows:

Area Calculation:

Rayleigh spans an area of about 19.3 square kilometers (7.5 square miles)(Rayleigh (Essex, East of England, United Kingdom) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map, Location, Weather and Web Information)(Rayleigh Map - Town - Rochford District, England, UK).

Population Density:

Using the town's population of approximately 32,200 and dividing by its land area:

[ \text{Population Density} = \frac{32,200 , \text{people}}{19.3 , \text{km}^2} \approx 1,670 , \text{people per km}^2 ]

This indicates that Rayleigh has a moderate population density compared to other areas in Essex. The density is higher in the town center and the more urbanized areas, reflecting its role as a local hub within the district(Rayleigh, Essex - Wikipedia)(Rayleigh (Essex, East of England, United Kingdom) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map, Location, Weather and Web Information).

Additionally, Rayleigh has seen a moderate level of residential development, especially in the 1990s, when several new housing estates were established on previously greenfield sites(Rayleigh, Essex - Wikipedia)(Planning Enforcement). This growth, along with its proximity to major urban centers like Southend-on-Sea, contributes to its relatively dense population in certain areas.