Socio-economic statistics for Rugeley, Staffordshire

Socio-economic statistics for Rugeley, Staffordshire

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

Rugeley 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 Cannock Chase.
Area Unemployed Yearly Change
Cannock Chase 3.5% 0.1%
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 Rugeley 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 Rugeley.
Economic Status Proportion
In Employment 53.83%
In Part-Time Work 27.21%
Unemployed 4.3%
72.79% of the people in work, are in full-time employment in Rugeley

Rugeley Health Statistics

Western Springs 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
Western Springs 39.77% 37.37% 15.94% 5.36% 1.56%
Cannock Chase 43.33% 35.59% 14.67% 4.93% 1.48%
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 Cannock Chase changed since 2011?

Cannock Chase residents who describe their health as either good or very good has increased by 0.16% between the 2011 and 2021 census.
Year VG G F B VB
2011 43.74% 35.02% 14.46% 5.25% 1.52%
2021 43.33% 35.59% 14.67% 4.93% 1.48%
VG = Very Good, G = Good, F = Fair, B = Bad & VB = Very Bad

Rugeley Education Statistics

We have taken the raw data from the 2021 census to found of the level of education Rugeley 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 Rugeley to the national average for England.
Level Western Springs England
No Qualifications 23.37% 18.08%
Level 1 12.12% 9.69%
Level 2 15.67% 13.32%
Apprenticeship 6.24% 5.32%
Level 3 17.49% 16.92%
Level 4 22.05% 33.92%

Rugeley Age Distribution Statistics

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

Rugeley & Cannock Chase 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 Rugeley in the Cannock Chase local area district.

Area Born in UK Born outside UK
Western Springs 95.04% 4.96%
Cannock Chase 96.42% 3.58%
West Midlands 84.84% 15.17%
England 82.65% 17.35%

Rugeley compared to other wards in Cannock Chase

# Ward Born in UK Born outside UK
1 Cannock South 94.58% 5.42%
2 Western Springs 95.04% 4.96%
3 Hagley 95.25% 4.75%
4 Cannock North 95.9% 4.1%
5 Brereton and Ravenhill 96.08% 3.92%
6 Cannock West 96.47% 3.53%
7 Etching Hill and The Heath 96.5% 3.5%
8 Hednesford Green Heath 96.59% 3.41%
9 Cannock East 96.69% 3.31%
10 Hednesford North 96.76% 3.24%
11 Hawks Green 97% 3%
12 Rawnsley 97.09% 2.91%
13 Norton Canes 97.43% 2.57%
14 Hednesford South 97.56% 2.44%
15 Heath Hayes East and Wimblebury 97.61% 2.39%
'; Rugeley is ranked 2 out of 15 wards in Cannock Chase for the number of residents born outside of the UK.

What are the occupations of the residents of Rugeley?

The largest employment sector in Rugeley is Professional Occupations. The smallest employment sector is Administrative & Secretarial.
Sector Proportion
Professional Occupations 13.65%
Elementary Occupations 13.3%
Skilled Trades 12.79%
Associate Professional & Technical 11.31%
Caring, leisure & Other Services 10.9%
Managers, Directors & Senior Officials 10.77%
Process Plant & Machine Operatives 9.74%
Administrative & Secretarial 8.97%

How many residents own or rent their home in Rugeley and Cannock Chase

We have taken the raw data from the 2021 census and calculated what proportion of people in Rugeley either own or rent their home. All percentages have been rounded to two decimal places. 64.93 of residents own their home either outright or mortgaged. 35.07 of Rugeley residents rent their home either privately or through a social landlord.
Area Owned Rented
Western Springs 64.93% 35.07%
Cannock Chase 67.09% 32.91%
West Midlands 62.8% 37.2%
England 61.31% 38.69%

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

Rugeley compared to other wards in Cannock Chase

# Ward Owned Rented
1 Hednesford South 81.81% 18.19%
2 Hednesford Green Heath 79.13% 20.87%
3 Hawks Green 78.94% 21.06%
4 Etching Hill and The Heath 77.1% 22.9%
5 Norton Canes 72.3% 27.7%
6 Rawnsley 71.84% 28.16%
7 Cannock West 71.63% 28.37%
8 Heath Hayes East and Wimblebury 69.93% 30.07%
9 Hagley (Cannock Chase) 67.6% 32.4%
10 Brereton and Ravenhill 67.56% 32.44%
11 Western Springs 64.93% 35.07%
12 Hednesford North 58.24% 41.76%
13 Cannock East 54.94% 45.06%
14 Cannock North 53.02% 46.98%
15 Cannock South 50.91% 49.09%
Rugeley is ranked 11 out of 15 wards in Cannock Chase for the percentage of home owners.

What is the population of Rugeley and Cannock Chase?

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

Ward Population
Brereton and Ravenhill 7228
Cannock East 7267
Cannock North 7579
Cannock South 8589
Cannock West 7228
Etching Hill and The Heath 6532
Hagley 4610
Hawks Green 7524
Heath Hayes East and Wimblebury 6406
Hednesford Green Heath 6814
Hednesford North 7044
Hednesford South 5210
Norton Canes 7716
Rawnsley 4845
Western Springs 6892
Cannock Chase Total 101484



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

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