Socio-economic statistics for Ashwater, Devon

Socio-economic statistics for Ashwater, Devon

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

Ashwater Age Distribution Statistics

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

Ashwater 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 Torridge.
Area Unemployed Yearly Change
Torridge 2.3% -0.4%
South West 2.5% -0.4%
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 Ashwater 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 Ashwater.
Economic Status Proportion
In Employment 51.99%
In Part-Time Work 35.63%
Unemployed 2.31%
64.37% of the people in work, are in full-time employment in Ashwater

What are the occupations of the residents of Ashwater?

The largest employment sector in Ashwater is Skilled Trades. The smallest employment sector is Process Plant & Machine Operatives.
Sector Proportion
Skilled Trades 23.43%
Managers, Directors & Senior Officials 14.81%
Professional Occupations 11.9%
Caring, leisure & Other Services 10.52%
Elementary Occupations 9.52%
Associate Professional & Technical 8.57%
Administrative & Secretarial 8.25%
Process Plant & Machine Operatives 6.45%

Ashwater & Torridge 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 Ashwater in the Torridge local area district.

Ashwater has a lower rate of immigrants than Torridge, the South West region and England as a whole.
Area Born in UK Born outside UK
Broadheath (Torridge) 96.67% 3.33%
Torridge 95.99% 4.01%
South West 89.8% 10.2%
England 82.65% 17.35%

Ashwater compared to other wards in Torridge

# Ward Born in UK Born outside UK
1 Hartland 94.74% 5.26%
2 Bideford North 95% 5%
3 Westward Ho! 95.3% 4.7%
4 Two Rivers & Three Moors 95.78% 4.22%
5 Bideford South 95.84% 4.16%
6 Great Torrington 95.91% 4.09%
7 Winkleigh 95.94% 4.06%
8 Bideford West 96.09% 3.91%
9 Northam 96.23% 3.77%
10 Holsworthy 96.34% 3.66%
11 Shebbear & Langtree 96.42% 3.58%
12 Monkleigh & Putford 96.45% 3.55%
13 Bideford East 96.55% 3.45%
14 Broadheath 96.67% 3.33%
15 Appledore 96.74% 3.26%
16 Milton & Tamarside 96.83% 3.17%
'; Ashwater is ranked 14 out of 16 wards in Torridge for the number of residents born outside of the UK.

Ashwater Education Statistics

We have taken the raw data from the 2021 census to found of the level of education Ashwater 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 Ashwater to the national average for England.
Level Broadheath England
No Qualifications 20.33% 18.08%
Level 1 10.98% 9.69%
Level 2 15.85% 13.32%
Apprenticeship 7% 5.32%
Level 3 17.45% 16.92%
Level 4 25.4% 33.92%

How many residents own or rent their home in Ashwater and Torridge

We have taken the raw data from the 2021 census and calculated what proportion of people in Ashwater either own or rent their home. All percentages have been rounded to two decimal places. 76.81 of residents own their home either outright or mortgaged. 23.19 of Ashwater residents rent their home either privately or through a social landlord.
Area Owned Rented
Broadheath (Torridge) 76.81% 23.19%
Torridge 69.56% 30.44%
South West 65.88% 34.12%
England 61.31% 38.69%

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

Ashwater compared to other wards in Torridge

# Ward Owned Rented
1 Two Rivers & Three Moors 81.53% 18.47%
2 Monkleigh & Putford 80.05% 19.95%
3 Milton & Tamarside 79.93% 20.07%
4 Shebbear & Langtree 77.97% 22.03%
5 Northam 77.85% 22.15%
6 Broadheath (Torridge) 76.81% 23.19%
7 Winkleigh 70.62% 29.38%
8 Westward Ho! 70.25% 29.75%
9 Appledore 69.56% 30.44%
10 Hartland 68.84% 31.16%
11 Bideford South 65.94% 34.06%
12 Great Torrington 64.78% 35.22%
13 Bideford West 62.8% 37.2%
14 Bideford North 59.91% 40.09%
15 Bideford East 59.18% 40.82%
16 Holsworthy 54.33% 45.67%
Ashwater is ranked 6 out of 16 wards in Torridge for the percentage of home owners.

Ashwater Health Statistics

Broadheath has a significantly lower proportion of residents (>5%) describing their health as very good than the national average for England.
Area VG G F B VB
Broadheath (Torridge) 41.43% 35.25% 16.86% 5.09% 1.37%
Torridge 43.83% 34.81% 15.35% 4.72% 1.29%
South West 47.6% 34.21% 13.12% 3.95% 1.12%
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 Torridge changed since 2011?

Torridge 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 43.53% 34.84% 15.42% 4.9% 1.31%
2021 43.83% 34.81% 15.35% 4.72% 1.29%
VG = Very Good, G = Good, F = Fair, B = Bad & VB = Very Bad

What is the population of Ashwater and Torridge?

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

Ward Population
Appledore 3795
Bideford East 5865
Bideford North 5978
Bideford South 3885
Bideford West 2726
Broadheath 4013
Great Torrington 6053
Hartland 6125
Holsworthy 3312
Milton & Tamarside 4193
Monkleigh & Putford 3927
Northam 5049
Shebbear & Langtree 3917
Two Rivers & Three Moors 3956
Westward Ho! 3716
Winkleigh 2209
Torridge Total 68719



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

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