This is a list of historic counties of England by area as at the 1831 census. Note that Monmouthshire was considered to be part of England at the time. Rank County Area 1 Yorkshire: 2) 2 Lincolnshire: 2) 3 Devon: 2) 4 Norfolk: 1,292,300 acres (5,230 km 2) 5 Northumberland: 2) 6 Somerset: 2) 7 Hampshire: 2) 8 Essex:

The counties typically have populations of 1.2 to 2.8 million. The county councils of these were abolished in 1986, but the counties themselves still exist legally. They are used for some administrative and geographic purposes, and are still ceremonial counties.

From 1974 to 1996 the metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties, some of which were established only in 1974, corresponded directly with the ceremonial ceremonial counties. Those counties most affected by changes (marked ). were - Lincolnshire (into "Parts" - North and North-East) Sussex (East and West). East Sussex West Sussex