Wakefield is a cathedral city located in West Yorkshire, England. Situated on the River Calder, it serves as the administrative centre for the wider Metropolitan Borough of Wakefield. The borough is part of the West Yorkshire Built-up Area and the Yorkshire and the Humber region.
The city experienced population growth between census periods, rising from 99,251 in 2011 to 109,766 in 2021. As of 2024, the broader Metropolitan Borough of Wakefield had a population of 367,666, making it the 27th most populous district in England.