Socio-economic statistics for Southend-on-Sea, Essex

Socio-economic statistics for Southend-on-Sea, Essex

We have collated a series of socio-economic statistics for Southend-on-Sea in Southend-on-Sea 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 Southend-on-Sea older than the national average or younger? What is the population of Southend-on-Sea and Southend-on-Sea? Is Southend-on-Sea an unemployment hotspot? This page should provide you with the answers.

Southend-on-Sea Education Statistics

We have taken the raw data from the 2021 census to found of the level of education Southend-on-Sea 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 Southend-on-Sea to the national average for England.
Level Milton England
No Qualifications 18.53% 18.08%
Level 1 10.48% 9.69%
Level 2 13.94% 13.32%
Apprenticeship 4.93% 5.32%
Level 3 18.06% 16.92%
Level 4 31.11% 33.92%

Southend-on-Sea 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 Southend-on-Sea.
Area Unemployed Yearly Change
Southend-on-Sea 4.3% -0.7%
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 Southend-on-Sea 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 Southend-on-Sea.
Economic Status Proportion
In Employment 55.14%
In Part-Time Work 24.8%
Unemployed 8.13%
75.2% of the people in work, are in full-time employment in Southend-on-Sea

Southend-on-Sea & Southend-on-Sea 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 Southend-on-Sea in the Southend-on-Sea local area district.

Area Born in UK Born outside UK
Milton (Southend-on-Sea) 76.77% 23.23%
Southend-on-Sea 87.5% 12.5%
East 85.09% 14.91%
England 82.65% 17.35%

Southend-on-Sea compared to other wards in Southend-on-Sea

# Ward Born in UK Born outside UK
1 Milton 76.77% 23.23%
2 Victoria 76.84% 23.16%
3 Westborough 80.84% 19.16%
4 Kursaal 81.15% 18.85%
5 Prittlewell 84.52% 15.48%
6 Chalkwell 86.75% 13.25%
7 St. Luke's 88.34% 11.66%
8 Southchurch 89.77% 10.23%
9 St Laurence 90.31% 9.69%
10 Thorpe 90.9% 9.1%
11 Blenheim Park 90.97% 9.03%
12 West Shoebury 91.33% 8.67%
13 Leigh 92.09% 7.91%
14 Shoeburyness 92.44% 7.56%
15 Belfairs 93.57% 6.43%
16 West Leigh 93.93% 6.07%
17 Eastwood Park 94.32% 5.68%
'; Southend-on-Sea is ranked 1 out of 17 wards in Southend-on-Sea for the number of residents born outside of the UK.

What are the occupations of the residents of Southend-on-Sea?

The largest employment sector in Southend-on-Sea is Professional Occupations. The smallest employment sector is Process Plant & Machine Operatives.
Sector Proportion
Professional Occupations 17.92%
Associate Professional & Technical 12.64%
Caring, leisure & Other Services 12.62%
Managers, Directors & Senior Officials 12.08%
Elementary Occupations 11.24%
Skilled Trades 10.16%
Administrative & Secretarial 9.07%
Process Plant & Machine Operatives 6.35%

Southend-on-Sea Health Statistics

Milton has a lower proportion of residents (very_good_pc-$ward_health->very_good_pc, 2)%) describing their health as very good than the national average for England.
Area VG G F B VB
Milton (Southend-on-Sea) 44.53% 34.7% 14.85% 4.73% 1.2%
Southend-on-Sea 46.7% 34.39% 13.34% 4.31% 1.26%
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 Southend-on-Sea changed since 2011?

Southend-on-Sea residents who describe their health as either good or very good has increased by 0.89% between the 2011 and 2021 census.
Year VG G F B VB
2011 45.11% 35.09% 14.06% 4.48% 1.26%
2021 46.7% 34.39% 13.34% 4.31% 1.26%
VG = Very Good, G = Good, F = Fair, B = Bad & VB = Very Bad

How many residents own or rent their home in Southend-on-Sea and Southend-on-Sea

We have taken the raw data from the 2021 census and calculated what proportion of people in Southend-on-Sea either own or rent their home. All percentages have been rounded to two decimal places. 40.7 of residents own their home either outright or mortgaged. 59.3 of Southend-on-Sea residents rent their home either privately or through a social landlord.
Area Owned Rented
Milton (Southend-on-Sea) 40.7% 59.3%
Southend-on-Sea 61.3% 38.7%
East 65.23% 34.77%
England 61.31% 38.69%

Southend-on-Sea has a significantly lower level of home ownership than the national average. This is indicative or an economically deprived area.

Southend-on-Sea compared to other wards in Southend-on-Sea

# Ward Owned Rented
1 Eastwood Park 83.29% 16.71%
2 Thorpe (Southend-on-Sea) 82.1% 17.9%
3 West Leigh 80.84% 19.16%
4 Belfairs 76.38% 23.62%
5 St Laurence 70.94% 29.06%
6 West Shoebury 69.71% 30.29%
7 Prittlewell 68.49% 31.51%
8 Blenheim Park 67.68% 32.32%
9 Leigh 66.42% 33.58%
10 Southchurch 63.7% 36.3%
11 St. Luke's (Southend-on-Sea) 63.33% 36.67%
12 Chalkwell (Southend-on-Sea) 58.61% 41.39%
13 Westborough (Southend-on-Sea) 57.24% 42.76%
14 Shoeburyness 56.78% 43.22%
15 Milton (Southend-on-Sea) 40.7% 59.3%
16 Victoria (Southend-on-Sea) 33.93% 66.07%
17 Kursaal 33.22% 66.78%
Southend-on-Sea is ranked 15 out of 17 wards in Southend-on-Sea for the percentage of home owners.

Southend-on-Sea Age Distribution Statistics

We have taken the raw data from the 2021 Census and the calculated the proportion of age groups in Milton.
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

What is the population of Southend-on-Sea and Southend-on-Sea?

The table below contains the populations figures for each ward in Southend-on-Sea including Southend-on-Sea. These population ONS figures are estimated are dated Mid 2020.

Ward Population
Belfairs 9665
Blenheim Park 11159
Chalkwell 10398
Eastwood Park 9425
Kursaal 12215
Leigh 10288
Milton 11762
Prittlewell 10724
Shoeburyness 11939
Southchurch 9977
St Laurence 10599
St. Luke's 11237
Thorpe 9281
Victoria 13025
West Leigh 9459
West Shoebury 10415
Westborough 11205
Southend-on-Sea Total 182773



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

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