Socio-economic statistics for Torbay, Devon

Socio-economic statistics for Torbay, Devon

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

Torbay Age Distribution Statistics

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

Torbay & Torbay 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 Torbay in the Torbay local area district.

Area Born in UK Born outside UK
Roundham with Hyde 90.96% 9.04%
Torbay 92.89% 7.11%
South West 89.8% 10.2%
England 82.65% 17.35%

Torbay compared to other wards in Torbay

# Ward Born in UK Born outside UK
1 Tormohun 84.92% 15.08%
2 Wellswood 89.64% 10.36%
3 Roundham with Hyde 90.96% 9.04%
4 Cockington with Chelston 91.88% 8.12%
5 Ellacombe 92.17% 7.83%
6 Shiphay 92.7% 7.3%
7 St Marychurch 93% 7%
8 Barton with Watcombe 93.08% 6.92%
9 Preston 94.88% 5.12%
10 King's Ash 94.9% 5.1%
11 Clifton with Maidenway 95.11% 4.89%
12 Collaton St Mary 95.2% 4.8%
13 Goodrington with Roselands 95.53% 4.47%
14 St Peter's with St Mary's 95.71% 4.29%
15 Furzeham with Summercombe 95.81% 4.19%
16 Churston with Galmpton 96.58% 3.42%
'; Torbay is ranked 3 out of 16 wards in Torbay for the number of residents born outside of the UK.

Torbay 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 Torbay.
Area Unemployed Yearly Change
Torbay 3.3% -0.6%
South West 2.5% -0.4%
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 Torbay 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 Torbay.
Economic Status Proportion
In Employment 45.63%
In Part-Time Work 32.64%
Unemployed 6.71%
67.36% of the people in work, are in full-time employment in Torbay

Torbay Health Statistics

Roundham with Hyde 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
Roundham with Hyde 35.41% 33.94% 19.96% 8.05% 2.64%
Torbay 42.23% 34.23% 16.21% 5.67% 1.66%
South West 47.6% 34.21% 13.12% 3.95% 1.12%
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 Torbay changed since 2011?

Torbay residents who describe their health as either good or very good has increased by 0.32% between the 2011 and 2021 census.
Year VG G F B VB
2011 41.7% 34.44% 16.31% 5.82% 1.73%
2021 42.23% 34.23% 16.21% 5.67% 1.66%
VG = Very Good, G = Good, F = Fair, B = Bad & VB = Very Bad

What are the occupations of the residents of Torbay?

The largest employment sector in Torbay is Caring, leisure & Other Services. The smallest employment sector is Administrative & Secretarial.
Sector Proportion
Caring, leisure & Other Services 16.5%
Elementary Occupations 15.75%
Skilled Trades 13.26%
Managers, Directors & Senior Officials 11.86%
Process Plant & Machine Operatives 8.96%
Professional Occupations 8.82%
Associate Professional & Technical 8.54%
Administrative & Secretarial 5.83%

Torbay Education Statistics

We have taken the raw data from the 2021 census to found of the level of education Torbay 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 Torbay to the national average for England.
Level Roundham with Hyde England
No Qualifications 25.89% 18.08%
Level 1 12.32% 9.69%
Level 2 15.6% 13.32%
Apprenticeship 7.41% 5.32%
Level 3 15.43% 16.92%
Level 4 20.19% 33.92%

How many residents own or rent their home in Torbay and Torbay

We have taken the raw data from the 2021 census and calculated what proportion of people in Torbay either own or rent their home. All percentages have been rounded to two decimal places. 45.45 of residents own their home either outright or mortgaged. 54.55 of Torbay residents rent their home either privately or through a social landlord.
Area Owned Rented
Roundham with Hyde 45.45% 54.55%
Torbay 64.07% 35.93%
South West 65.88% 34.12%
England 61.31% 38.69%

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

Torbay compared to other wards in Torbay

# Ward Owned Rented
1 Churston with Galmpton 84.07% 15.93%
2 Preston (Torbay) 77.53% 22.47%
3 Clifton with Maidenway 75.91% 24.09%
4 Collaton St Mary 73.02% 26.98%
5 Furzeham with Summercombe 72.67% 27.33%
6 Goodrington with Roselands 72.35% 27.65%
7 Shiphay 70.59% 29.41%
8 Cockington with Chelston 70.01% 29.99%
9 St Peter's with St Mary's 68.57% 31.43%
10 Wellswood 64.19% 35.81%
11 St Marychurch 63.9% 36.1%
12 Barton with Watcombe 59.49% 40.51%
13 King's Ash 57.18% 42.82%
14 Ellacombe 55.8% 44.2%
15 Roundham with Hyde 45.45% 54.55%
16 Tormohun 41.32% 58.68%
Torbay is ranked 15 out of 16 wards in Torbay for the percentage of home owners.

What is the population of Torbay and Torbay?

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

Ward Population
Barton with Watcombe 12160
Churston with Galmpton 6467
Clifton with Maidenway 7523
Cockington with Chelston 8031
Collaton St Mary 3432
Ellacombe 8054
Furzeham with Summercombe 9983
Goodrington with Roselands 7399
King's Ash 7947
Preston 10300
Roundham with Hyde 8484
Shiphay 7939
St Marychurch 12163
St Peter's with St Mary's 6840
Tormohun 12552
Wellswood 6944
Torbay Total 136218



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

How grim is your Postcode?