Socio-economic statistics for Barrow, Suffolk

Socio-economic statistics for Barrow, Suffolk

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

Barrow 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 West Suffolk.
Area Unemployed Yearly Change
West Suffolk 2.2% -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 Barrow 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 Barrow.
Economic Status Proportion
In Employment 56.25%
In Part-Time Work 30.97%
Unemployed 2.23%
69.03% of the people in work, are in full-time employment in Barrow

Barrow Education Statistics

We have taken the raw data from the 2021 census to found of the level of education Barrow 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 Barrow to the national average for England.
Level Barrow England
No Qualifications 16.32% 18.08%
Level 1 8.63% 9.69%
Level 2 14.23% 13.32%
Apprenticeship 6.64% 5.32%
Level 3 17.55% 16.92%
Level 4 34.11% 33.92%

How many residents own or rent their home in Barrow and West Suffolk

We have taken the raw data from the 2021 census and calculated what proportion of people in Barrow either own or rent their home. All percentages have been rounded to two decimal places. 71.27 of residents own their home either outright or mortgaged. 28.73 of Barrow residents rent their home either privately or through a social landlord.
Area Owned Rented
Barrow 71.27% 28.73%
West Suffolk 60.18% 39.82%
East 65.23% 34.77%
England 61.31% 38.69%

Barrow has a higher level of home ownership than than the national average.

Barrow compared to other wards in West Suffolk

# Ward Owned Rented
1 Haverhill South East 78.8% 21.2%
2 Horringer 78.5% 21.5%
3 Brandon East 78.34% 21.66%
4 Whepstead & Wickhambrook 78.25% 21.75%
5 Barningham 77.88% 22.12%
6 Westgate (West Suffolk) 75.89% 24.11%
7 The Fornhams & Great Barton 75.7% 24.3%
8 Chedburgh & Chevington 74.53% 25.47%
9 Clare, Hundon & Kedington 74.32% 25.68%
10 Haverhill North 73.02% 26.98%
11 Ixworth 72.48% 27.52%
12 Risby 72.31% 27.69%
13 Southgate (West Suffolk) 72.06% 27.94%
14 Stanton (West Suffolk) 71.94% 28.07%
15 Barrow 71.27% 28.73%
16 Manor (West Suffolk) 71.21% 28.79%
17 Rougham 70.57% 29.43%
18 Haverhill West 69.71% 30.29%
19 Bardwell 69.43% 30.57%
20 Withersfield 68.78% 31.22%
21 Kentford & Moulton 68.59% 31.41%
22 Moreton Hall 65.59% 34.41%
23 Minden 62.4% 37.6%
24 Exning 61.99% 38.01%
25 Brandon West 60.56% 39.44%
26 Mildenhall Kingsway & Market 57.48% 42.52%
27 Pakenham & Troston 53.87% 46.13%
28 Haverhill Central 53.47% 46.53%
29 Newmarket North 52.12% 47.88%
30 Newmarket West 52.07% 47.93%
31 Mildenhall Queensway 51.34% 48.66%
32 Haverhill East 51.15% 48.85%
33 Iceni 51.09% 48.91%
34 St Olaves 50.96% 49.04%
35 The Rows 50.46% 49.54%
36 Brandon Central 49.53% 50.47%
37 Lakenheath 48.76% 51.24%
38 Mildenhall Great Heath 48.44% 51.56%
39 Tollgate 46.85% 53.15%
40 Eastgate 45.43% 54.57%
41 Haverhill South 44.95% 55.05%
42 Abbeygate 43.34% 56.66%
43 Newmarket East 39.78% 60.22%
Barrow is ranked 15 out of 43 wards in West Suffolk for the percentage of home owners.

Barrow & West Suffolk 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 Barrow in the West Suffolk local area district.

Barrow has a lower rate of immigrants than West Suffolk, the East of England region and England as a whole.
Area Born in UK Born outside UK
Barrow 92.75% 7.25%
West Suffolk 82.98% 17.02%
East 85.09% 14.91%
England 82.65% 17.35%

Barrow compared to other wards in West Suffolk

# Ward Born in UK Born outside UK
1 Lakenheath 55.79% 44.21%
2 The Rows 67.27% 32.73%
3 Mildenhall Queensway 71.87% 28.13%
4 Iceni 72.88% 27.12%
5 Newmarket North 73.77% 26.23%
6 Newmarket East 73.96% 26.04%
7 Newmarket West 75.58% 24.42%
8 Abbeygate 76.48% 23.52%
9 Eastgate 78.11% 21.89%
10 Mildenhall Kingsway & Market 79.88% 20.12%
11 Brandon Central 82.11% 17.89%
12 Mildenhall Great Heath 82.65% 17.35%
13 Brandon West 83.02% 16.98%
14 Southgate 83.39% 16.61%
15 Haverhill Central 83.52% 16.48%
16 Manor 83.72% 16.28%
17 Haverhill South 83.83% 16.17%
18 Brandon East 83.97% 16.03%
19 Tollgate 84.26% 15.74%
20 Haverhill East 84.36% 15.64%
21 Moreton Hall 84.61% 15.39%
22 St Olaves 86.77% 13.23%
23 Haverhill West 87.31% 12.69%
24 Exning 87.49% 12.51%
25 Westgate 87.93% 12.07%
26 Kentford & Moulton 87.99% 12.01%
27 Minden 88.4% 11.6%
28 Haverhill North 88.93% 11.07%
29 Withersfield 89.2% 10.8%
30 Risby 89.79% 10.21%
31 Haverhill South East 91.35% 8.65%
32 Pakenham & Troston 92.09% 7.91%
33 The Fornhams & Great Barton 92.41% 7.59%
34 Barrow 92.75% 7.25%
35 Clare, Hundon & Kedington 92.78% 7.22%
36 Chedburgh & Chevington 93% 7%
37 Horringer 93.39% 6.61%
38 Whepstead & Wickhambrook 94.12% 5.88%
39 Bardwell 94.18% 5.82%
40 Ixworth 94.21% 5.79%
41 Rougham 94.7% 5.3%
42 Barningham 95.07% 4.93%
43 Stanton 95.13% 4.87%
'; Barrow is ranked 34 out of 43 wards in West Suffolk for the number of residents born outside of the UK.

What are the occupations of the residents of Barrow?

The largest employment sector in Barrow is Professional Occupations. The smallest employment sector is Process Plant & Machine Operatives.
Sector Proportion
Professional Occupations 22.08%
Managers, Directors & Senior Officials 16.89%
Associate Professional & Technical 13.76%
Skilled Trades 11.94%
Administrative & Secretarial 8.9%
Elementary Occupations 7.66%
Caring, leisure & Other Services 7.33%
Process Plant & Machine Operatives 5.68%

Barrow Age Distribution Statistics

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

Barrow Health Statistics

Barrow 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
Barrow 50.48% 32.93% 12.26% 3.43% 0.89%
West Suffolk 47.7% 35.45% 12.49% 3.42% 0.94%
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

What is the population of Barrow and West Suffolk?

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

Ward Population
West Suffolk Total 0



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

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