Socio-economic statistics for Highbridge, Walsall

Socio-economic statistics for Highbridge, Walsall

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

How many residents own or rent their home in Highbridge and Walsall

We have taken the raw data from the 2021 census and calculated what proportion of people in Highbridge either own or rent their home. All percentages have been rounded to two decimal places. 74.18 of residents own their home either outright or mortgaged. 25.82 of Highbridge residents rent their home either privately or through a social landlord.
Area Owned Rented
Pelsall 74.18% 25.82%
Walsall 59.33% 40.67%
West Midlands 62.8% 37.2%
England 61.31% 38.69%

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

Highbridge compared to other wards in Walsall

# Ward Owned Rented
1 Streetly 89.19% 10.81%
2 Pheasey Park Farm 84.15% 15.85%
3 Paddock 80.52% 19.48%
4 Aldridge Central and South 75.61% 24.39%
5 Pelsall 74.18% 25.82%
6 Aldridge North and Walsall Wood 72.07% 27.93%
7 Short Heath 69.84% 30.16%
8 Willenhall North 67.95% 32.05%
9 Rushall-Shelfield 65.75% 34.25%
10 Brownhills 62% 38.01%
11 Bloxwich West 55.58% 44.42%
12 Palfrey 53.19% 46.81%
13 Bloxwich East 50.58% 49.42%
14 Willenhall South 49.46% 50.54%
15 Bentley and Darlaston North 48.72% 51.28%
16 Pleck 45.6% 54.4%
17 Darlaston South 44.44% 55.56%
18 Blakenall 43.2% 56.8%
19 St Matthew's (Walsall) 38.92% 61.08%
20 Birchills Leamore 38.79% 61.21%
Highbridge is ranked 5 out of 20 wards in Walsall for the percentage of home owners.

Highbridge Age Distribution Statistics

We have taken the raw data from the 2021 Census and the calculated the proportion of age groups in Pelsall.
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 are the occupations of the residents of Highbridge?

The largest employment sector in Highbridge is Skilled Trades. The smallest employment sector is Process Plant & Machine Operatives.
Sector Proportion
Skilled Trades 15.48%
Professional Occupations 15.35%
Associate Professional & Technical 13.14%
Managers, Directors & Senior Officials 10.85%
Administrative & Secretarial 10.63%
Caring, leisure & Other Services 10.23%
Elementary Occupations 9.1%
Process Plant & Machine Operatives 7.26%

Highbridge & Walsall 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 Highbridge in the Walsall local area district.

Highbridge has a lower rate of immigrants than Walsall, the West Midlands region and England as a whole.
Area Born in UK Born outside UK
Pelsall 97.17% 2.83%
Walsall 85.23% 14.77%
West Midlands 84.84% 15.17%
England 82.65% 17.35%

Highbridge compared to other wards in Walsall

# Ward Born in UK Born outside UK
1 Pleck 64.92% 35.08%
2 Palfrey 65.55% 34.45%
3 St Matthew's 71.88% 28.12%
4 Paddock 76.07% 23.93%
5 Blakenall 80.94% 19.06%
6 Bentley and Darlaston North 82.65% 17.35%
7 Willenhall South 82.85% 17.15%
8 Darlaston South 83.37% 16.63%
9 Birchills Leamore 83.91% 16.09%
10 Short Heath 91.6% 8.4%
11 Streetly 91.88% 8.12%
12 Willenhall North 92.38% 7.62%
13 Rushall-Shelfield 92.86% 7.14%
14 Pheasey Park Farm 92.89% 7.11%
15 Bloxwich East 93.08% 6.92%
16 Bloxwich West 94.23% 5.77%
17 Aldridge Central and South 94.87% 5.13%
18 Aldridge North and Walsall Wood 95.6% 4.4%
19 Brownhills 95.62% 4.38%
20 Pelsall 97.17% 2.83%
'; Highbridge is ranked 20 out of 20 wards in Walsall for the number of residents born outside of the UK.

Highbridge 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 Walsall.
Area Unemployed Yearly Change
Walsall 5.7% -0.5%
West Midlands 5% -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 Highbridge 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 Highbridge.
Economic Status Proportion
In Employment 53.24%
In Part-Time Work 25.75%
Unemployed 4.28%
74.25% of the people in work, are in full-time employment in Highbridge

Highbridge Education Statistics

We have taken the raw data from the 2021 census to found of the level of education Highbridge 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 Highbridge to the national average for England.
Level Pelsall England
No Qualifications 24.15% 18.08%
Level 1 10.56% 9.69%
Level 2 14.76% 13.32%
Apprenticeship 6.4% 5.32%
Level 3 17.93% 16.92%
Level 4 23.18% 33.92%

Highbridge Health Statistics

Pelsall 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
Pelsall 42.02% 36.13% 15.22% 5.12% 1.49%
Walsall 44.41% 34.38% 14.63% 5.01% 1.58%
West Midlands 46.4% 34.38% 13.54% 4.37% 1.31%
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 Walsall changed since 2011?

Walsall residents who describe their health as either good or very good has increased by 1.5% between the 2011 and 2021 census.
Year VG G F B VB
2011 42.15% 35.14% 15.47% 5.56% 1.68%
2021 44.41% 34.38% 14.63% 5.01% 1.58%
VG = Very Good, G = Good, F = Fair, B = Bad & VB = Very Bad

What is the population of Highbridge and Walsall?

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

Ward Population
Aldridge Central and South 13960
Aldridge North and Walsall Wood 13002
Bentley and Darlaston North 14350
Birchills Leamore 16095
Blakenall 16699
Bloxwich East 13101
Bloxwich West 13897
Brownhills 13461
Darlaston South 16940
Paddock 13493
Palfrey 17575
Pelsall 11336
Pheasey Park Farm 11432
Pleck 16663
Rushall-Shelfield 12182
Short Heath 11528
St Matthew's 17356
Streetly 13742
Willenhall North 12562
Willenhall South 17342
Walsall Total 286716



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

How grim is your Postcode?