Socio-economic statistics for Fordham, Essex

Socio-economic statistics for Fordham, Essex

We have collated a series of socio-economic statistics for Fordham in Colchester from UK government sources such as the 2021 Census and the Index of Multiple Deprivation. They should give you a broad snapshot of the area and the surrounding locations. Are the residents of Fordham older than the national average or younger? What is the population of Fordham and Colchester? Is Fordham an unemployment hotspot? This page should provide you with the answers.

Fordham Unemployment Statistics

Since the introduction of Universal Credit, The Department for Work & Pensions have not issued any statistics (in our view) that can be used to ascertain the levels of unemployment or under employment in the UK, just meaningless geographic counts. However, the Office of National Statistics does publish claimant counts of people receiving out of work benefits, be that legacy Jobseeker’s Allowance or Universal Credit as a proportion of people over 16. These figures are usually updated once a month and are for Local Authority Districts and Unitary Authority Districts. So below are the figures of Colchester.
Area Unemployed Yearly Change
Colchester 2.9% -0.2%
East of England 3% -0.3%
England 3.8% -0.3%
UK 3.7% -0.3%
Source: Office for National Statistics (ONS), Last Retrieved: March 2023
The 2021 census had data on people who were economically active (seeking work) yet unemployed on Census day (Sunday March 21st 2021). These statitics do cover Fordham on a ward level. However, it has to be noted that the Census day was during the height of the Covid19 pandemic and therefore are not reflective of normal levels of unemployment. For example, between March 2020 and June 2020 people claiming Universal Credit doubled in most areas of the United Kingdom and then steadily declined up to the day of the Census and beyond. This data also contains the proportion of people in part-time work (working between 1-35 hours per week), which maybe an indicator of under employment in Fordham.
Economic Status Proportion
In Employment 56.64%
In Part-Time Work 30.71%
Unemployed 2.69%
69.29% of the people in work, are in full-time employment in Fordham

What are the occupations of the residents of Fordham?

The largest employment sector in Fordham is Professional Occupations. The smallest employment sector is Process Plant & Machine Operatives.
Sector Proportion
Professional Occupations 21.41%
Managers, Directors & Senior Officials 20.99%
Associate Professional & Technical 13.99%
Skilled Trades 11.81%
Administrative & Secretarial 9.82%
Caring, leisure & Other Services 7.52%
Elementary Occupations 5.51%
Process Plant & Machine Operatives 3.81%

Fordham Age Distribution Statistics

We have taken the raw data from the 2021 Census and the calculated the proportion of age groups in Rural North.
Age Band Proportion
4 & under
5 - 9 years
10 - 15 years
16 - 19 years
20 - 24 years
25 - 34 years
35 - 49 years
50 - 64 years
65 - 74 years
75 - 84 years
85 years & over

Fordham Health Statistics

Rural North has more residents (very_good_pc-$country_health->very_good_pc, 2)%) describing their health as very good than the national average for England.
Area VG G F B VB
Rural North 51.04% 34.27% 11.25% 2.77% 0.67%
Colchester 49.18% 34.75% 11.89% 3.26% 0.92%
East 48.28% 34.64% 12.5% 3.58% 1%
England 48.49% 33.71% 12.65% 3.98% 1.17%
VG = Very Good, G = Good, F = Fair, B = Bad & VB = Very Bad

How has the health of residents in Colchester changed since 2011?

Colchester residents who describe their health as either good or very good has increased by 0.27% between the 2011 and 2021 census.
Year VG G F B VB
2011 48.83% 34.83% 12.09% 3.29% 0.96%
2021 49.18% 34.75% 11.89% 3.26% 0.92%
VG = Very Good, G = Good, F = Fair, B = Bad & VB = Very Bad

How many residents own or rent their home in Fordham and Colchester

We have taken the raw data from the 2021 census and calculated what proportion of people in Fordham either own or rent their home. All percentages have been rounded to two decimal places. 81.29 of residents own their home either outright or mortgaged. 18.71 of Fordham residents rent their home either privately or through a social landlord.
Area Owned Rented
Rural North 81.29% 18.71%
Colchester 64.58% 35.42%
East 65.23% 34.77%
England 61.31% 38.69%

Fordham has a significantly higher level of home ownership than the national average. This is indicative or an economically wealthy area.

Fordham compared to other wards in Colchester

# Ward Owned Rented
1 Mersea and Pyefleet 82.38% 17.62%
2 Prettygate 81.49% 18.51%
3 Rural North 81.29% 18.71%
4 Lexden and Braiswick 80.5% 19.5%
5 Tiptree 80.16% 19.84%
6 Marks Tey and Layer 79.72% 20.28%
7 Wivenhoe 77.21% 22.79%
8 Stanway 74.74% 25.26%
9 St Anne's and St John's 73.08% 26.92%
10 Berechurch 60.59% 39.41%
11 Mile End (Colchester) 60.07% 39.93%
12 Highwoods 58.28% 41.72%
13 Old Heath and The Hythe 54.52% 45.48%
14 New Town and Christ Church 53.51% 46.49%
15 Shrub End 46.66% 53.34%
16 Castle (Colchester) 45.9% 54.1%
17 Greenstead 36.55% 63.45%
Fordham is ranked 3 out of 17 wards in Colchester for the percentage of home owners.

Fordham Education Statistics

We have taken the raw data from the 2021 census to found of the level of education Fordham residents have in terms of formal qualifications as a percentage. The UK government breaks qualifications down into 7 levels. A detailed explanation of these levels can be found here. However, the Census groups these into just 4 \'levels\'. Here are some examples of the qualifications each census level represents when not stated;

  • Level 1 - GCSE grades D, E, F, or G & below
  • Level 2 - GCSE A*, A, B, C or O Level grades A, B or C
  • Level 3 - A or AS qualification at any grade
  • Level 4 - HNC, Bachelors Degree, Masters Degree or Phd

In this first table we have compared Fordham to the national average for England.
Level Rural North England
No Qualifications 15.01% 18.08%
Level 1 8.96% 9.69%
Level 2 15.03% 13.32%
Apprenticeship 5.1% 5.32%
Level 3 17.57% 16.92%
Level 4 35.74% 33.92%

Fordham & Colchester Immigration Statistics

We have analysed the Census 2021 raw data on country of birth and compiled immigration statistics as percentages of the population. All percentages have been rounded to two decimal places. Below are the figures for Fordham in the Colchester local area district.

Fordham has a lower rate of immigrants than Colchester, the East of England region and England as a whole.
Area Born in UK Born outside UK
Rural North 94.15% 5.85%
Colchester 85.47% 14.53%
East 85.09% 14.91%
England 82.65% 17.35%

Fordham compared to other wards in Colchester

# Ward Born in UK Born outside UK
1 Castle 74.63% 25.37%
2 Greenstead 76.01% 23.99%
3 Mile End 77.48% 22.52%
4 New Town and Christ Church 79.05% 20.95%
5 Highwoods 83.02% 16.98%
6 Shrub End 84.21% 15.79%
7 Wivenhoe 84.23% 15.77%
8 Old Heath and The Hythe 85.18% 14.82%
9 Berechurch 85.86% 14.14%
10 St Anne's and St John's 87.24% 12.76%
11 Prettygate 89.68% 10.32%
12 Lexden and Braiswick 90.01% 9.99%
13 Stanway 90.64% 9.36%
14 Marks Tey and Layer 92.38% 7.62%
15 Rural North 94.15% 5.85%
16 Mersea and Pyefleet 95.34% 4.66%
17 Tiptree 95.42% 4.58%
'; Fordham is ranked 15 out of 17 wards in Colchester for the number of residents born outside of the UK.

What is the population of Fordham and Colchester?

The table below contains the populations figures for each ward in Colchester including Fordham. These population ONS figures are estimated are dated Mid 2020.

Ward Population
Berechurch 11105
Castle 11602
Greenstead 17137
Highwoods 10667
Lexden and Braiswick 9734
Marks Tey and Layer 10584
Mersea and Pyefleet 9795
Mile End 13405
New Town and Christ Church 15420
Old Heath and The Hythe 12648
Prettygate 10235
Rural North 10821
Shrub End 12375
St Anne's and St John's 10701
Stanway 9147
Tiptree 9308
Wivenhoe 12516
Colchester Total 197200



Last updated: 20/02/2024, Additional Sources: Office for National Statistics & Department for Work & Pensions.

How grim is your Postcode?