Socio-economic statistics for Tunstall, Kent

Socio-economic statistics for Tunstall, Kent

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

Tunstall 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 Swale.
Area Unemployed Yearly Change
Swale 3.7% -0.6%
South East 2.9% -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 Tunstall 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 Tunstall.
Economic Status Proportion
In Employment 59.16%
In Part-Time Work 29.9%
Unemployed 2.59%
70.1% of the people in work, are in full-time employment in Tunstall

Tunstall Education Statistics

We have taken the raw data from the 2021 census to found of the level of education Tunstall 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 Tunstall to the national average for England.
Level West Downs England
No Qualifications 15.6% 18.08%
Level 1 10.96% 9.69%
Level 2 15.47% 13.32%
Apprenticeship 5.88% 5.32%
Level 3 19.11% 16.92%
Level 4 30.45% 33.92%

Tunstall Health Statistics

West Downs 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
West Downs 49.52% 35.94% 11.66% 2.2% 0.69%
Swale 45.47% 34.77% 14.07% 4.41% 1.28%
South East 49.98% 34.01% 11.77% 3.31% 0.93%
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 Swale changed since 2011?

Swale residents who describe their health as either good or very good has increased by 0.05% between the 2011 and 2021 census.
Year VG G F B VB
2011 44.32% 35.87% 14.07% 4.42% 1.32%
2021 45.47% 34.77% 14.07% 4.41% 1.28%
VG = Very Good, G = Good, F = Fair, B = Bad & VB = Very Bad

What are the occupations of the residents of Tunstall?

The largest employment sector in Tunstall is Managers, Directors & Senior Officials. The smallest employment sector is Process Plant & Machine Operatives.
Sector Proportion
Managers, Directors & Senior Officials 21.22%
Professional Occupations 16.28%
Associate Professional & Technical 14.22%
Skilled Trades 11.95%
Administrative & Secretarial 11.88%
Caring, leisure & Other Services 7.49%
Elementary Occupations 6.66%
Process Plant & Machine Operatives 5.98%

Tunstall Age Distribution Statistics

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

Tunstall & Swale 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 Tunstall in the Swale local area district.

Tunstall has a lower rate of immigrants than Swale, the South East region and England as a whole.
Area Born in UK Born outside UK
West Downs 94.43% 5.57%
Swale 91.99% 8.01%
South East 84.24% 15.76%
England 82.65% 17.35%

Tunstall compared to other wards in Swale

# Ward Born in UK Born outside UK
1 Chalkwell 83.89% 16.11%
2 Murston 85.01% 14.99%
3 Kemsley 87.1% 12.9%
4 Roman 87.12% 12.88%
5 The Meads 89.79% 10.21%
6 Milton Regis 90.37% 9.63%
7 Teynham and Lynsted 91.1% 8.9%
8 Abbey 91.37% 8.63%
9 Sheerness 91.84% 8.16%
10 Homewood 92.01% 7.99%
11 Sheppey East 92.44% 7.56%
12 Boughton and Courtenay 92.83% 7.17%
13 St Ann's 93.31% 6.69%
14 Watling 93.47% 6.53%
15 Borden and Grove Park 93.51% 6.49%
16 Woodstock 93.89% 6.11%
17 Bobbing, Iwade and Lower Halstow 93.93% 6.07%
18 East Downs 93.99% 6.01%
19 West Downs 94.43% 5.57%
20 Queenborough and Halfway 94.55% 5.45%
21 Hartlip, Newington and Upchurch 94.68% 5.32%
22 Sheppey Central 94.94% 5.06%
23 Priory 95.08% 4.92%
24 Minster Cliffs 95.51% 4.49%
'; Tunstall is ranked 19 out of 24 wards in Swale for the number of residents born outside of the UK.

How many residents own or rent their home in Tunstall and Swale

We have taken the raw data from the 2021 census and calculated what proportion of people in Tunstall either own or rent their home. All percentages have been rounded to two decimal places. 80.62 of residents own their home either outright or mortgaged. 19.38 of Tunstall residents rent their home either privately or through a social landlord.
Area Owned Rented
West Downs 80.62% 19.38%
Swale 66.97% 33.03%
South East 65.66% 34.34%
England 61.31% 38.69%

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

Tunstall compared to other wards in Swale

# Ward Owned Rented
1 Woodstock (Swale) 81.99% 18.01%
2 West Downs 80.62% 19.38%
3 Minster Cliffs 80.36% 19.64%
4 Bobbing, Iwade and Lower Halstow 79.91% 20.09%
5 Hartlip, Newington and Upchurch 78.3% 21.7%
6 Boughton and Courtenay 75.39% 24.61%
7 Borden and Grove Park 74.3% 25.7%
8 East Downs 70.83% 29.17%
9 Sheppey East 70.69% 29.31%
10 Kemsley 69.24% 30.76%
11 Queenborough and Halfway 68.48% 31.52%
12 St Ann's (Swale) 68.2% 31.8%
13 Sheppey Central 68.18% 31.82%
14 The Meads 67.77% 32.23%
15 Watling (Swale) 67.17% 32.83%
16 Homewood 66.17% 33.83%
17 Chalkwell (Swale) 65.99% 34.01%
18 Teynham and Lynsted 64.44% 35.56%
19 Abbey (Swale) 63.49% 36.51%
20 Priory (Swale) 62.25% 37.75%
21 Milton Regis 60.7% 39.3%
22 Murston 58.64% 41.36%
23 Roman (Swale) 56.82% 43.18%
24 Sheerness 40.66% 59.34%
Tunstall is ranked 2 out of 24 wards in Swale for the percentage of home owners.

What is the population of Tunstall and Swale?

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

Ward Population
Abbey 5356
Bobbing, Iwade and Lower Halstow 6216
Borden and Grove Park 6454
Boughton and Courtenay 6720
Chalkwell 3445
East Downs 2717
Hartlip, Newington and Upchurch 6289
Homewood 6389
Kemsley 7135
Milton Regis 6285
Minster Cliffs 7765
Murston 7040
Priory 2903
Queenborough and Halfway 8173
Roman 6876
Sheerness 13475
Sheppey Central 9120
Sheppey East 7254
St Ann's 5628
Teynham and Lynsted 6326
The Meads 4118
Watling 6317
West Downs 2880
Woodstock 6134
Swale Total 151015



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

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