Socio-economic statistics for Southsea, City of Portsmouth

Socio-economic statistics for Southsea, City of Portsmouth

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

Southsea 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 Portsmouth.
Area Unemployed Yearly Change
Portsmouth 4.6% -0.4%
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 Southsea 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 Southsea.
Economic Status Proportion
In Employment 56.96%
In Part-Time Work 22.6%
Unemployed 5.32%
77.4% of the people in work, are in full-time employment in Southsea

Southsea Age Distribution Statistics

We have taken the raw data from the 2021 Census and the calculated the proportion of age groups in St Jude.
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 Southsea?

The largest employment sector in Southsea is Professional Occupations. The smallest employment sector is Process Plant & Machine Operatives.
Sector Proportion
Professional Occupations 26.42%
Associate Professional & Technical 15.39%
Managers, Directors & Senior Officials 12.63%
Elementary Occupations 8.94%
Caring, leisure & Other Services 7.97%
Administrative & Secretarial 7.93%
Skilled Trades 7.63%
Process Plant & Machine Operatives 5.44%

Southsea Health Statistics

St Jude 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
St Jude 48.83% 34.18% 12.24% 3.65% 1.1%
Portsmouth 47.36% 34.83% 12.86% 3.85% 1.11%
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 Portsmouth changed since 2011?

Portsmouth residents who describe their health as either good or very good has decreased by 0.34% between the 2011 and 2021 census.
Year VG G F B VB
2011 47.69% 34.84% 12.42% 3.9% 1.15%
2021 47.36% 34.83% 12.86% 3.85% 1.11%
VG = Very Good, G = Good, F = Fair, B = Bad & VB = Very Bad

Southsea Education Statistics

We have taken the raw data from the 2021 census to found of the level of education Southsea 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 Southsea to the national average for England.
Level St Jude England
No Qualifications 11.44% 18.08%
Level 1 6.48% 9.69%
Level 2 9.67% 13.32%
Apprenticeship 3.67% 5.32%
Level 3 20.12% 16.92%
Level 4 46.27% 33.92%

How many residents own or rent their home in Southsea and Portsmouth

We have taken the raw data from the 2021 census and calculated what proportion of people in Southsea either own or rent their home. All percentages have been rounded to two decimal places. 42.46 of residents own their home either outright or mortgaged. 57.54 of Southsea residents rent their home either privately or through a social landlord.
Area Owned Rented
St Jude 42.46% 57.54%
Portsmouth 52.26% 47.74%
South East 65.66% 34.34%
England 61.31% 38.69%

Southsea has a significantly lower level of home ownership than the national average. This is indicative or an economically deprived area.

Southsea compared to other wards in Portsmouth

# Ward Owned Rented
1 Drayton and Farlington 82.61% 17.39%
2 Copnor 75.08% 24.92%
3 Baffins 70.95% 29.05%
4 Milton (Portsmouth) 61.76% 38.24%
5 Cosham 61.17% 38.83%
6 Hilsea 61.04% 38.96%
7 Eastney and Craneswater 54.9% 45.1%
8 Paulsgrove 53.05% 46.95%
9 Central Southsea 47.43% 52.57%
10 Fratton 46.87% 53.13%
11 Nelson (Portsmouth) 46.36% 53.64%
12 St Jude 42.46% 57.54%
13 St Thomas (Portsmouth) 33.58% 66.42%
14 Charles Dickens 13.78% 86.22%
Southsea is ranked 12 out of 14 wards in Portsmouth for the percentage of home owners.

Southsea & Portsmouth 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 Southsea in the Portsmouth local area district.

Area Born in UK Born outside UK
St Jude 76.14% 23.86%
Portsmouth 83.06% 16.94%
South East 84.24% 15.76%
England 82.65% 17.35%

Southsea compared to other wards in Portsmouth

# Ward Born in UK Born outside UK
1 Charles Dickens 74.73% 25.27%
2 St Thomas 74.81% 25.19%
3 St Jude 76.14% 23.86%
4 Fratton 77.67% 22.33%
5 Central Southsea 79% 21%
6 Eastney and Craneswater 81.33% 18.67%
7 Nelson 81.43% 18.57%
8 Milton 85.36% 14.64%
9 Hilsea 86.22% 13.78%
10 Cosham 87.33% 12.67%
11 Copnor 89.53% 10.47%
12 Paulsgrove 90.46% 9.54%
13 Baffins 91.02% 8.98%
14 Drayton and Farlington 92.97% 7.03%
'; Southsea is ranked 3 out of 14 wards in Portsmouth for the number of residents born outside of the UK.

What is the population of Southsea and Portsmouth?

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

Ward Population
Baffins 15061
Central Southsea 16789
Charles Dickens 24370
Copnor 13418
Cosham 14670
Drayton and Farlington 13314
Eastney and Craneswater 13721
Fratton 15747
Hilsea 13543
Milton 14295
Nelson 15110
Paulsgrove 14142
St Jude 12842
St Thomas 17670
Portsmouth Total 214692



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

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