Socio-economic statistics for Littlestone-on-Sea, Kent

Socio-economic statistics for Littlestone-on-Sea, Kent

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

Littlestone-on-Sea Education Statistics

We have taken the raw data from the 2021 census to found of the level of education Littlestone-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 Littlestone-on-Sea to the national average for England.
Level New Romney England
No Qualifications 23.47% 18.08%
Level 1 11.9% 9.69%
Level 2 14.75% 13.32%
Apprenticeship 7.61% 5.32%
Level 3 16.96% 16.92%
Level 4 21.02% 33.92%

Littlestone-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 Folkestone and Hythe.
Area Unemployed Yearly Change
Folkestone and Hythe 4.1% -0.8%
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 Littlestone-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 Littlestone-on-Sea.
Economic Status Proportion
In Employment 44.27%
In Part-Time Work 30.56%
Unemployed 4.56%
69.44% of the people in work, are in full-time employment in Littlestone-on-Sea

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

The largest employment sector in Littlestone-on-Sea is Skilled Trades. The smallest employment sector is Process Plant & Machine Operatives.
Sector Proportion
Skilled Trades 14.24%
Caring, leisure & Other Services 14.24%
Managers, Directors & Senior Officials 12.63%
Professional Occupations 12.2%
Associate Professional & Technical 11.19%
Elementary Occupations 10.65%
Administrative & Secretarial 10.47%
Process Plant & Machine Operatives 7.6%

Littlestone-on-Sea Health Statistics

New Romney 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
New Romney 38.54% 36.82% 17.37% 5.75% 1.52%
Folkestone and Hythe 43.19% 35.01% 15.31% 5.03% 1.46%
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 Folkestone and Hythe changed since 2011?

Folkestone and Hythe residents who describe their health as either good or very good has decreased by 0.13% between the 2011 and 2021 census.
Year VG G F B VB
2011 42.21% 36.12% 15.25% 4.93% 1.49%
2021 43.19% 35.01% 15.31% 5.03% 1.46%
VG = Very Good, G = Good, F = Fair, B = Bad & VB = Very Bad

Littlestone-on-Sea Age Distribution Statistics

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

Littlestone-on-Sea & Folkestone and Hythe 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 Littlestone-on-Sea in the Folkestone and Hythe local area district.

Littlestone-on-Sea has a lower rate of immigrants than Folkestone and Hythe, the South East region and England as a whole.
Area Born in UK Born outside UK
New Romney 95.55% 4.45%
Folkestone and Hythe 89.55% 10.45%
South East 84.24% 15.76%
England 82.65% 17.35%

Littlestone-on-Sea compared to other wards in Folkestone and Hythe

# Ward Born in UK Born outside UK
1 Folkestone Central 78.9% 21.1%
2 Cheriton 82.66% 17.34%
3 Sandgate & West Folkestone 82.98% 17.02%
4 Folkestone Harbour 88.25% 11.75%
5 Broadmead 88.69% 11.31%
6 East Folkestone 90.31% 9.69%
7 Hythe 91.12% 8.88%
8 North Downs East 92.46% 7.54%
9 North Downs West 93.86% 6.14%
10 Hythe Rural 94.09% 5.91%
11 New Romney 95.55% 4.45%
12 Romney Marsh 95.77% 4.23%
13 Walland & Denge Marsh 96.01% 3.99%
'; Littlestone-on-Sea is ranked 11 out of 13 wards in Folkestone and Hythe for the number of residents born outside of the UK.

How many residents own or rent their home in Littlestone-on-Sea and Folkestone and Hythe

We have taken the raw data from the 2021 census and calculated what proportion of people in Littlestone-on-Sea either own or rent their home. All percentages have been rounded to two decimal places. 75.57 of residents own their home either outright or mortgaged. 24.43 of Littlestone-on-Sea residents rent their home either privately or through a social landlord.
Area Owned Rented
New Romney 75.57% 24.43%
Folkestone and Hythe 65.8% 34.2%
South East 65.66% 34.34%
England 61.31% 38.69%

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

Littlestone-on-Sea compared to other wards in Folkestone and Hythe

# Ward Owned Rented
1 North Downs West 82.46% 17.54%
2 Romney Marsh 81.54% 18.46%
3 Hythe Rural 78.36% 21.64%
4 North Downs East 76.37% 23.63%
5 New Romney 75.57% 24.43%
6 Walland & Denge Marsh 72.94% 27.06%
7 Broadmead 72.26% 27.74%
8 Hythe 71.99% 28.01%
9 Sandgate & West Folkestone 69.07% 30.93%
10 Cheriton 62.84% 37.16%
11 East Folkestone 54.28% 45.72%
12 Folkestone Harbour 46.78% 53.22%
13 Folkestone Central 37.48% 62.52%
Littlestone-on-Sea is ranked 5 out of 13 wards in Folkestone and Hythe for the percentage of home owners.

What is the population of Littlestone-on-Sea and Folkestone and Hythe?

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

Ward Population
Broadmead 3957
Cheriton 13530
East Folkestone 11818
Folkestone Central 12249
Folkestone Harbour 6766
Hythe 11512
Hythe Rural 6104
New Romney 7358
North Downs East 12107
North Downs West 6633
Romney Marsh 7344
Sandgate & West Folkestone 5810
Walland & Denge Marsh 8132
Folkestone and Hythe Total 113320



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

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