Ilkeston is a town within the Borough of Erewash, in Derbyshire, England. It lies on the River Erewash, from which the local borough takes its name. Its population at the 2001 census was 37,550, increasing to 38,640 at the 2011 Census. Its major industries were traditionally coal mining, iron working and lace making / textiles, but these have all but disappeared in the last few decades.