2021 and 2022 residential-based area classifications

The area classifications for Great Britain have been produced after every census since 1971 and, as of the 2001 Census, they have been extended to cover the whole UK. Using socio-economic and demographic data from each census, they aim to identify areas of the country with similar characteristics. This information is useful to many groups, including government departments, local authorities, health authorities and academics. 

This article is structured based on area type; in each section you will find access to methodology information, downloadable files holding the 2021 and 2022 area classifications cluster membership, and other resources.

Information relating to the 2021 Area Classification for UK Output Areas is hosted externally. The Output Area Classification for 2021 and 2022 was developed by the Geographic Data Service (GeoDS) in partnership with the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Datasets and methodology can be accessed from the Geographic Data Service website.

The classification places each of the Output Areas in the UK – comprising Output Areas in England and Wales, and Scotland, and Data Zones in Northern Ireland – into clusters based on their 2021 and 2022 Census characteristics.

The Super Output Area Classification for 2021 and 2022 was developed by the Geographic Data Service (GeoDS) and is an aggregation of the Output Area Classification for 2021 and 2022. Datasets and methodology can be accessed from the Geographic Data Service website.

The classification places each of the Super Output Areas in the UK – comprising Super Output Areas in England and Wales, Data Zones in Scotland, and Super Data Zones in Northern Ireland – into clusters based on their 2021 and 2022 Census characteristics.

The classification places each of the local authority districts (LADs) in the UK – comprising lower-tier local authorities in England and Wales, council areas in Scotland, and local government districts in Northern Ireland – into clusters based on their 2021 and 2022 Census characteristics.

The cluster membership table for the 2021 and 2022 Area Classification for Local Authority Districts are provided in a downloadable Excel file (xlsx).

This section outlines the methodology used to produce the 2021 and 2022 Area Classification for Local Authority Districts. The classification places each of the 374 UK local authority districts into different clusters based on their 2021 and 2022 Census characteristics covering the topics:

• demography and migration

• ethnicity, identity, language and religion

• health, disability and unpaid care

• housing

• labour market

Similar local authorities are clustered together. In this way, local authority districts across the UK can be compared and classified according to these census characteristics.

A standard K-means clustering technique was applied to group together local authority districts with similar characteristics, to produce a hierarchical classification. The methodology follows that used for the 2021 and 2022 Output Area and Super Output Area Classifications (Wyszomierski, J., Longley, P.A., Singleton, A.D., Gale, C. and O'Brien, O. (2024) A neighbourhood Output Area Classification from the 2021 and 2022 UK censuses. The Geographical Journal, 190, e12550).

Specification files within the Area Classification GitHub repository contain methodology information for the Local Authority District Classification and explain the steps of the pipeline. This can be found on the ONSgeo GitHub.

Data and variables

Data used for this analysis are drawn from 2021 Census data, as published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) for England and Wales, and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) for Northern Ireland. The nearest census in Scotland was carried out in 2022; therefore, data used for Scotland was published by National Records of Scotland (NRS) from their 2022 Census.

The 50 census statistics and statistics variables used to create the 2021 and 2022 Area Classification for Local Authority Districts are listed here, broken down by domain, characteristic and variable.

Demography and migration

Residency type

• communal establishment living

Legal partnership status

• never married and never in a civil partnership

• married or in a civil partnership

• separated or divorced

Household composition

• one-person household

• families with no children

Country of birth

• born in UK

• born in Europe (non-EU country)

Population density

• population density (residents per square kilometre)

Age structure

• age 0 to 4 years

• age 5 to 14 years

• age 25 to 44 years

• age 45 to 64 years

• age 65 to 84 years

• age 85 years and over

Migrant indicator

• address one year ago is the same as address of enumeration
  
  

Ethnicity, identity, language and religion

Ethnic group

• Chinese

• Indian

• Other Asian

• Black

• Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups

• White

Multiple ethnic group

• all household members have the same ethnic group

Proficiency in English

• cannot speak English well or at all

Religion

• no religion

• Christian
  
  

Health, disability and unpaid care

Disability

• standardised illness ratio (SIR)

Provision of unpaid care

• provides unpaid care
  
  

Housing

Accommodation type

• detached housing

• semi-detached housing

• terraced housing

• lives in a flat

Car or van availability

• two or more cars or vans

Tenure

• private rented

• ownership or shared ownership housing
  
  

Labour market

Hours worked

• part-time work

• full-time work

NS-SEC

• full-time students

Occupation

• administrative and secretarial occupations

• skilled trades occupations

• caring leisure and other service occupations

• sales and customer service occupations

• process plant and machine operatives

• elementary occupations

Economic activity status

• unemployed
  
  

Education

Highest level of qualification

• Level 1, Level 2 or apprenticeship

• Level 3 qualifications
  
  

Classification results

Maps are published in this section to allow for the identification of the geographical coverage of the local authority districts that comprise each supergroup, group and subgroup.

These maps provide visual insight to the spread of clustered local authority districts. However, because of there being 32 subgroups, it has not been possible to source a colour palette that will be accessible to all users. We have therefore provided the data download on local authority district cluster membership, which provides Government Statistical Service (GSS) codes of the local authorities and their cluster assignment to allow users to recreate the map and change the colours as needed.

Supergroups

Six supergroups form the top tier of the 2021 and 2022 Local Authority District Area Classification hierarchy, each denoted by a number (n) before their name in the following descriptions. These provide the most generic descriptions of the population in the UK. If not explicitly stated, comparisons (for example, higher or lower) are made against the UK average.

Map 1: Area classification for local authority districts by their supergroup cluster

Download this image Map 1: Area classification for local authority districts by their supergroup cluster

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Groups

Nineteen groups form the middle tier of the 2021 and 2022 Local Authority District Area Classification hierarchy, each denoted by a number and letter (nx) in the descriptions. As the classification is a top-down classification, any group that starts with the same n as a supergroup will have been derived from that supergroup only. The supergroups produce one to four groups each.

This tier provides a further description of each area’s characteristics, in addition to their parent supergroup characteristics. If not explicitly stated, comparisons (for example, higher or lower) are made against the average of the supergroup within which the group nests.

Map 2: Area classification for local authority districts by their group cluster

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Subgroups

Thirty-two subgroups form the bottom tier of the 2021 and 2022 Area Classification for Local Authority Districts, each denoted by a number, letter and number (nxn). Any subgroup starting with the same nx as a group means it will have been derived from that group only. The groups produce one to three subgroups each.

Subgroups provide descriptions that supplement both the parent supergroup and parent group characteristics. If not explicitly stated, comparisons (for example, higher or lower) are made against the average of the group within which the subgroup nests.

Map 3: Area classification for local authority districts by their subgroup cluster

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Pen portraits describe the clusters that make up the 2021 and 2022 Local Authority District Area Classification. The classification is a hierarchical classification, consisting of three tiers of supergroups, groups and subgroups for the lower-tier local authorities (LTLAs) in England (n = 309) and Wales (n = 22), council areas (CA) in Scotland (n = 32) and local government districts (LGD) in Northern Ireland (n = 11).

The names and descriptions for the six supergroups, 19 groups, and 32 subgroups are intended to be illustrative of the characteristics of areas in terms of their demographic structure, household composition, housing, socio-economic characteristics and employment patterns, and provide greater insight than examining the statistical outputs of cluster analysis alone. While they may not necessarily reflect the characteristics of the entire population, they are likely to represent the general characteristics of the local authority districts assigned to specific clusters.

These pen portraits are complemented by plots that display the 50 census statistics used to derive the classification. The plots represent the values for each of the final census statistics for each of the supergroups, groups and subgroups. A scale is used to represent the difference (either positive or negative) from the standardised mean used for comparison: for supergroup this is the UK mean; for group this is the supergroup mean; and for subgroup this is the group mean.

Each variable on the plot sits with a domain, as follows:

• demographic and migration

• ethnicity, identity, language and religion

• health, disability and unpaid care

• housing

• labour market

• education

Pen portraits

The following pen portraits (descriptions) and the names given to them are based on the average characteristics of each cluster. Given the subjective nature of producing names based on these average characteristics and their descriptive nature, there may be instances where individual local authorities are more or less closely associated with these descriptions.

Note: in the pen portraits and plot labels, there are several phrases and terms used that require a fuller description, see Section 13: Glossary for more information. Also, please note the use of "Rural" and "Urban" in this article is used in colloquial terms and is not a reflection of the 2021 Rural Urban Classification.

Map 4: Local authority districts in Supergroup 1 with their groups and subgroups

Download this image Map 4: Local authority districts in Supergroup 1 with their groups and subgroups

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87 local authorities – 23.26% of UK local authorities.

This supergroup contains most of Northern Ireland, a central belt across Scotland and several post-industrial areas of England and Wales, including parts of the Midlands and north of England, and the South Wales valleys. These areas tend to have lower population densities, compared with the UK average.

Compared with UK averages, this supergroup has a higher proportion of people born in the UK and lower representation of people identifying their ethnicity within the Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups category. The supergroup is less affected by migration, with higher-than-average proportions residing in the same address as the previous year. Residents are more likely to be living in semi-detached and terraced housing, than detached housing or flats, compared with the rest of the UK.

For those in work, this supergroup sees higher-than-average proportions of people working in administrative, secretarial, skilled trade, elementary and caring, leisure and other service occupations, with process plant and machine operatives the starkest contrast. This is somewhat reflected in the relatively high proportion of individuals with the highest qualification Level 1, Level 2 or apprenticeship. Conversely, there is lower-than-UK average proportion of those in more senior roles and professional occupations, along with relatively fewer full-time students (likely because of lack of university campuses in these areas).

While levels of unemployment for this supergroup are very close to the UK average, the standardised illness ratio and the proportion of people who provide unpaid care is higher in this supergroup than in any of the other supergroups.

Figure 1: Supergroup 1 - Services and industrial legacy: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

Source: Output from cluster analysis based on Census data from Nomis (England and Wales), Scotland Census (Scotland), and NISRA (Northern Ireland)

Download this image Figure 1: Supergroup 1 - Services and industrial legacy: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

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Group 1a – Services, manufacturing and mining legacy

32 local authorities – 8.56% of UK local authorities.

This group comprises post-industrial areas mainly in England (just three in Wales), located primarily in the Midlands and the north, except for Swale, which is in the South East. These areas are characterised topographically by their good transport links along railways, rivers, canals, ports and latterly roads, useful for and shaped by (former) industry.

Residents in these areas are more likely to live in semi-detached or detached housing than other groups in this supergroup. Although around average levels of unemployment for the supergroup, residents are more likely to be working as managers, directors and senior officials.

Both the standardised illness ratio and proportion of those providing unpaid care are lower in this group compared with the supergroup average. While having a higher-than-average proportion of those who are married or in a civil partnership, there are also higher-than-average proportions of families without children (although the age profile of the group is around average for the younger age groups).

Figure 2: Group 1a - Services, manufacturing and mining legacy: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

Source: Output from cluster analysis based on Census data from Nomis (England and Wales), Scotland Census (Scotland), and NISRA (Northern Ireland)

Download this image Figure 2: Group 1a - Services, manufacturing and mining legacy: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

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Subgroup 1a1 – Manufacturing legacy

20 local authorities – 5.35% of UK local authorities.

This subgroup contains areas within Wales, and the Midlands and north of England, including North Lincolnshire, Flintshire and Rotherham. The age structure is older than the parent group and residents are more likely to identify their ethnic group within the White ethnic group category and to be living in detached and semi-detached housing. There is a lower population density than in the other subgroup in Group 1a but a higher proportion of families with no children and people who work in skilled trades.

Figure 3: Subgroup 1a1 - Manufacturing legacy: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

Source: Output from cluster analysis based on Census data from Nomis (England and Wales), Scotland Census (Scotland), and NISRA (Northern Ireland)

Download this image Figure 3: Subgroup 1a1 - Manufacturing legacy: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

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Subgroup 1a2 – English post-industrial towns

12 local authorities – 3.21% of UK local authorities.

This subgroup contains local authorities in England only. They include Redditch, Nuneaton and Bedworth, and Stockton-on-Tees. This subgroup contains a younger age structure, with higher proportions of 0 to 14 and 25 to 44 year olds and a higher proportion of people who identified within the Mixed or Multiple, Black, Other Asian, Indian or Chinese ethnic group categories than the other subgroup in 1a.

Residents are more likely to live in flats. Workers are more likely to work full-time and to be employed as managers, directors and senior officials, professional occupations and associate professional and technical occupations as well as administrative and secretarial occupations.

Figure 4: Subgroup 1a2 - English post-industrial towns: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

Source: Output from cluster analysis based on Census data from Nomis (England and Wales), Scotland Census (Scotland), and NISRA (Northern Ireland)

Download this image Figure 4: Subgroup 1a2 - English post-industrial towns: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

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Group 1b – Scottish mining and industrial legacy

12 local authorities – 3.21% of UK local authorities.

This group consists of the former industrial landscapes in the central belt of Scotland, excluding major cities. The local authority of North Ayrshire is included within this group, which encompasses the Isle of Arran. The population density for areas covered by this group is lower than both the parent supergroup and the UK average.

These areas have higher levels of people born in the UK and of people who are aged 45 to 64 years compared with the other groups within this supergroup. They are more likely to live in one-person households than the supergroup average. Although typically identified within the White ethnic group category, they have a lower level of members living with others of the same ethnic group.

Although these areas have lower than supergroup averages for school-aged children and lower-than-average rates of elderly people (aged 85 years and over), there is a higher proportion of people who provide unpaid care, perhaps accounted for by a higher-than-average standardised illness ratio. Despite this, there are lower-than-average rates of unemployment, with higher than supergroup average rates working in the professional and technical occupations.

Figure 5: Group 1b - Scottish mining and industrial legacy: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

Source: Output from cluster analysis based on Census data from Nomis (England and Wales), Scotland Census (Scotland), and NISRA (Northern Ireland)

Download this image Figure 5: Group 1b - Scottish mining and industrial legacy: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

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Subgroup 1b1 – Scottish mining legacy

7 local authorities – 1.87% of UK local authorities.

This subgroup contains local authorities in the south and east of Scotland’s central belt. These areas have a lower population density and include areas such as Clackmannanshire, East Ayrshire, and West Lothian.

They are home to higher proportions of people who are married and families with no children. There are higher proportions of people living in semi-detached housing and communal establishments. The age profile is also relatively younger with higher proportions of people aged 0 to 14 and 25 to 44 year olds compared with Group 1b.

These areas have a lower proportion of provision of unpaid care and people are more likely to have two or more cars or vans. People are more likely to work as managers, directors and senior officials, and less likely to work in sales and customer service occupations.

Figure 6: Subgroup 1b1 - Scottish mining legacy: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

Source: Output from cluster analysis based on Census data from Nomis (England and Wales), Scotland Census (Scotland), and NISRA (Northern Ireland)

Download this image Figure 6: Subgroup 1b1 - Scottish mining legacy: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

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Subgroup 1b2 – Scottish industrial legacy

5 local authorities – 1.34% of UK local authorities.

The areas within this subgroup are in the Central belt of Scotland, mainly towards the west coast including areas such as North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire.

These areas have higher population densities, and a lower proportion of people with two or more vans and cars than the other subgroup within this group. Residents are more likely to be one-person households and live in flats. These areas are home to higher proportions of people who identified as Christian, but lower proportions of families with no children and individuals who are married. Workers are more likely to work part-time and to be employed in the sales and customer service industry.

Figure 7: Subgroup 1b2 - Scottish industrial legacy: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

Source: Output from cluster analysis based on Census data from Nomis (England and Wales), Scotland Census (Scotland), and NISRA (Northern Ireland)

Download this image Figure 7: Subgroup 1b2 - Scottish industrial legacy: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

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Group 1c – Mining and industrial legacy

35 local authorities – 9.36% of UK local authorities.

This group consists of post-industrial areas in England and Wales, rooted in various sectors, including coal mining and heavy industry (areas in South Wales and Teesside); textiles (areas around Greater Manchester and in Lancashire); and associated shipping and port industries (areas in the North East, North East Lincolnshire and Barrow-in-Furness).

These areas are typified by massive decline towards the latter half of the 20th century. Unemployment is high in this group, compared with the supergroup average, with those in employment more likely to be working in caring, leisure and other service occupations.

Compared with the rest of the supergroup, these areas have a higher population density, with residents more likely to live in terraced housing, albeit alone (as indicated by higher-than-average one-person households) and with higher-than-average proportions of being separated or divorced.

Figure 8: Group 1c - Mining and industrial legacy: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

Source: Output from cluster analysis based on Census data from Nomis (England and Wales), Scotland Census (Scotland), and NISRA (Northern Ireland)

Download this image Figure 8: Group 1c - Mining and industrial legacy: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

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Subgroup 1c1 – Post-industrial coastal living

16 local authorities – 4.28% of UK local authorities.

This subgroup only contains old industrial areas within England, which are mostly near the coast. These include Hartlepool, Redcar and Cleveland, and County Durham.

These areas have an older population structure, with people more likely to live in semi-detached housing. There are lower proportions of married people, but higher proportions of individuals who identify with the White ethnic group category and people who identified as Christian.

Unemployment is higher in this subgroup than in the other subgroups within this group. Workers are more likely to work part-time and to be employed in sales and customer service roles or employed as managers, directors and senior officials, professional occupations, associate professional and technical occupations or administrative and secretarial occupations.

Figure 9: Subgroup 1c1 - Post-industrial coastal living: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

Source: Output from cluster analysis based on Census data from Nomis (England and Wales), Scotland Census (Scotland), and NISRA (Northern Ireland)

Download this image Figure 9: Subgroup 1c1 - Post-industrial coastal living: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

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Subgroup 1c2 – Mining and port legacy

11 local authorities – 2.94% of UK local authorities.

These areas are countryside areas in South Wales and England including Neath Port Talbot, Torfaen and North East Lincolnshire. They are home to higher proportions of people born in the UK, who identified their ethnic group within the White ethnic group category, reported having no religion, and all household members have the same ethnic group.

Households are more likely to reside in terrace housing or detached housing and live with members of the same ethnic group, in houses which they own or have shared ownership over. They are also more likely to have two or more cars.

There are lower proportions of one-person households in this subgroup and lower proportions of people who have never married. There is also a higher proportion of people aged 65 to 84 years. These areas have a higher standardised illness ratio accompanied by higher proportions of people providing unpaid care than the other subgroups within this group.

Workers are more likely to be employed as process plant and machine operatives or in skilled trade occupations.

Figure 10: Subgroup 1c2 - Mining and port legacy: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

Source: Output from cluster analysis based on Census data from Nomis (England and Wales), Scotland Census (Scotland), and NISRA (Northern Ireland)

Download this image Figure 10: Subgroup 1c2 - Mining and port legacy: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

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Subgroup 1c3 – Industrial towns

8 local authorities – 2.14% of UK local authorities.

These areas are in the Midlands and north of England, and mainly South Wales, and include areas such as Burnley, Tameside and Stoke-on-Trent.

They contain areas with higher proportions of young people and people who are married compared with the other subgroups in Group 1c. These areas also have higher proportions of people who identified their ethnic group within the Mixed or Multiple, Black, Other Asian, and Indian ethnic groups categories, and higher proportions of people who report that they cannot speak English well or at all.

This subgroup has lower proportions of people born in the UK and people who identified their ethnic group within the White ethnic group category. Residents are more likely to reside in private rented accommodation, which is more likely to be terraced housing. These areas also have higher proportions of full-time students but lower proportions of people living in communal establishments. Working individuals are more likely to work in elementary occupations.

There is a lower proportion of people working in caring, leisure and other service occupations, and a lower proportion of people providing unpaid care accompanied by a lower standardised illness ratio.

Figure 11: Subgroup 1c3 - Industrial towns: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

Source: Output from cluster analysis based on Census data from Nomis (England and Wales), Scotland Census (Scotland), and NISRA (Northern Ireland)

Download this image Figure 11: Subgroup 1c3 - Industrial towns: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

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Group 1d – Northern Irish countryside

8 local authorities – 2.14% of UK local authorities.

This group is confined to Northern Ireland and comprises 8 out of the 11 local government districts in Northern Ireland. The population density for areas covered by this group is lower than both the parent supergroup and the UK average.

The population in this group has a higher proportion of people aged under 14 years compared with the other groups in this supergroup. Residents are more likely to be married or in a registered civil partnership and much less likely to be separated or divorced than those in the other groups within the supergroup.

Households are more likely to be homogeneous, with the subgroup having higher than supergroup averages of residents identifying their ethnic group within the White ethnic group category. This subgroup has much lower-than-average proportions of people reporting no religion and higher-than-average levels identifying as Christian.

Residents have lower rates of unemployment than the supergroup average, with higher employment in skilled trades, administrative and customer service industries, as well as higher levels of full-time students. They also have higher levels of home ownership, living in detached properties and having two (or more) cars per household.

Figure 12: Group 1d - Northern Irish countryside: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

Source: Output from cluster analysis based on Census data from Nomis (England and Wales), Scotland Census (Scotland), and NISRA (Northern Ireland)

Download this image Figure 12: Group 1d - Northern Irish countryside: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

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Map 5: Local authority districts in Supergroup 2 with their groups and subgroups

Download this image Map 5: Local authority districts in Supergroup 2 with their groups and subgroups

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26 local authorities – 6.95% of UK local authorities.

This supergroup is confined to large urban areas in England only, with transport infrastructure and connectivity. The population of this supergroup tend to live in inner and outer London boroughs. Areas outside London covered by this supergroup include Manchester, Cambridge, Reading and Oxford. These areas are urban and metropolitan city centres.

This supergroup is characterised by a very high population density. Residents in this supergroup have high proportions of working-aged individuals (age 25 to 44 years), but low proportions of children (aged 5 to 14 years) and much lower representation among older age groups (aged 65 to 84 years, and 85 years and over) compared with the UK average. Residents are less likely to be married or in a registered civil partnership.

Compared with the UK average, residents are more likely to live in a private rented flat and households are less likely to have access to two or more cars. These areas are densely populated, with a higher proportion of people living in communal establishments.

Residents in these areas tend to be less static than in the rest of the UK, with a much lower-than-UK-average proportion of people who remain at the same address long-term. This may be partly accounted for by the higher-than-average levels of full-time students in these areas, linked to the higher education prevalence across London, and with Oxford, Cambridge, Manchester and Reading providing a large university draw.

There are higher levels of unemployment in this supergroup, with those in employment much more likely to work in managerial, professional and technical roles than elsewhere. This supergroup also shows much lower levels of administrative, service and sales occupations, as well as lower levels of machine operatives, and elementary occupations. There are also much lower levels of entry level to apprenticeship qualifications. Those in work are more likely to work full-time.

There are higher levels of people who identify their ethnic group within the Mixed or Multiple, Black, Chinese, Other Asian, and Indian ethnic groups categories and much lower levels of those identifying their ethnic group within the White ethnic group category. Similarly, households are ethnically heterogeneous, as shown by lower-than-average rates of all household members having the same ethnic group. In addition, these areas have lower proportions of people with a country of birth in the UK and a higher proportion of those born in non-EU European countries.

Figure 13: Supergroup 2 - Densely populated urban centres: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

Source: Output from cluster analysis based on Census data from Nomis (England and Wales), Scotland Census (Scotland), and NISRA (Northern Ireland)

Download this image Figure 13: Supergroup 2 - Densely populated urban centres: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

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Group 2a – Large university cities

4 local authorities – 1.07% of UK local authorities.

This group contains the four local authorities of Reading, Cambridge, Oxford and Manchester. As might be expected from a series of university towns and cities, this group has a higher proportion of full-time students, compared with the supergroup average. This may contribute to the higher proportions of people who live in a communal establishment, as well as the higher levels of Level 3 qualifications. Despite these relatively high levels of communal establishment living, there are relatively fewer people living in flats and the population density is lower than other groups in this supergroup.

Despite higher-than-average standardised illness ratio, levels of people providing unpaid care are very close to the supergroup average and unemployment is lower in this group than the other groups in this supergroup. There is a higher proportion of people working in caring, leisure and other service occupations, process plant and machine operatives, and elementary occupations. There are slightly higher levels of part-time employment, slightly higher levels of home ownership, and a higher proportion of those owning two or more cars or vans. This group has low proportions of people who are separated or divorced, as well as a lower proportion of one-person households.

There is a higher than supergroup average proportion of households in which all members have the same ethnic group. These areas also have higher proportions of people who identified their ethnic group within the White or Chinese ethnic group categories and a higher proportion of people born in the UK when compared with the other groups in this supergroup. There are high proportions of people aged 85 years and over, but lower proportions of people aged 25 to 65 years.

Figure 14: Group 2a - Large university cities: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

Source: Output from cluster analysis based on Census data from Nomis (England and Wales), Scotland Census (Scotland), and NISRA (Northern Ireland)

Download this image Figure 14: Group 2a - Large university cities: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

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Group 2b – Cosmopolitan London

11 local authorities – 2.94% of UK local authorities.

These are all central London boroughs, including iconic landmarks and government institutions. These areas include the London boroughs of Kensington and Chelsea, City of London, and Wandsworth. The areas of London covered by this group are characterised by high population densities, which could be explained by the higher than group average proportion of people living in flats. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the levels of private rental are higher than in the other groups within this supergroup, and households are less likely to own two or more vehicles.

These households are more likely to be one-person households or child-free families, with higher proportions having never been married compared with the supergroup average. Demographically, these areas have higher proportions of people aged 25 to 44 years and lower proportions of children (under 14 years) and older generations (aged 65 years and over) than the supergroup average.

Unemployment in these areas is very slightly higher than the supergroup average, but those in employment have higher-than-average levels of managerial, professional and technical occupations, in contrast to the lower proportions of people working in occupations such as elementary and skilled trades. While part-time working is lower than average, full-time work is higher than the supergroup average.

These areas have a higher than supergroup average of people who identify their ethnic group within the Chinese or Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups categories.

Figure 15: Group 2b - Cosmopolitan London: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

Source: Output from cluster analysis based on Census data from Nomis (England and Wales), Scotland Census (Scotland), and NISRA (Northern Ireland)

Download this image Figure 15: Group 2b - Cosmopolitan London: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

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Group 2c – Outer cosmopolitan London

11 local authorities – 2.94% of UK local authorities.

This group contains Greater London boroughs with good transport links to central London, but located slightly further out, including the boroughs of Kingston upon Thames, Barnet, and Richmond upon Thames.

There are proportionally fewer families with no children and higher proportions of those who are married or separated. This is reflected in the higher proportions of children (aged under 14 years) and lower levels of other legal partnership status types. There are also higher proportions of older adults (aged 45 years and older) compared with the group average. There are higher levels of part-time working and provision of unpaid care than the other groups, but lower levels of standardised illness ratio.

Households are typically ethnically homogeneous, with levels above the group average. There are higher proportions of people identifying their ethnic group within the Black, Other Asian, or Indian categories, and slightly fewer people identifying their ethnic group within the White or Chinese ethnic group categories. There are slightly higher-than-average proportions of those who report that they cannot speak English well or at all. This group has slightly higher levels of people identifying as Christian.

Unemployment is higher in this group than the others within this supergroup. Of those residents who are employed, there are higher proportions of individuals working in administrative and secretarial occupations and skilled trades, as well as a higher average level of qualifications at Level 1, Level 2 or apprenticeship level. Home ownership is higher in these areas and there are higher proportions of terraced housing than in the other groups.

Figure 16: Group 2c - Outer cosmopolitan London: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

Source: Output from cluster analysis based on Census data from Nomis (England and Wales), Scotland Census (Scotland), and NISRA (Northern Ireland)

Download this image Figure 16: Group 2c - Outer cosmopolitan London: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

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Map 6: Local authority districts in Supergroup 3 with their groups and subgroups

Download this image Map 6: Local authority districts in Supergroup 3 with their groups and subgroups

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36 local authorities – 9.63% of UK local authorities.

This supergroup comprises areas in all countries of the UK. Most of these areas have some form of university presence, whether that is a major university or multiple universities (such as Glasgow City or Bristol) or a university campus (such as the University of Essex campus in Colchester). These higher education centres could be seen to be leading post-industrial growth in previous industrial strongholds (such as Sheffield). The supergroup also contains the centre of devolved governments for Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, which are Belfast, Edinburgh and Cardiff, respectively.

These areas have a higher proportion of full-time students and higher proportion of people who live in a communal establishment than the UK average. Areas in this supergroup also have a lower proportion of people whose address one year ago is the same as the address of enumeration.

Residents are more likely to live in private rented accommodation than to own their home, and ownership of two or more cars or vans is below the national average. There are higher levels of people identifying their ethnicity within the Chinese category compared with the UK average and it is less likely for household members to share the same ethnicity. In line with the higher student population, the proportion of those with Level 3 qualifications is higher than elsewhere.

Although the standardised illness ratio is slightly above the UK average, there are lower levels of unpaid care. Overall, this supergroup also has a higher proportion of people reporting no religion than the rest of the UK.

These areas have lower-than-UK average proportions of people who are married or in a registered civil partnership. There are also lower-than-UK averages of people over the age of 45 years. There is a higher-than-UK average of people aged 25 to 44 years.

In addition to university students, there is evidence of a service and leisure sector in these areas, denoted by the higher levels of these occupations compared with the UK average, with those in employment more likely to work part time. Coupled with the age profile and nature of the university towns in this supergroup, this may indicate some post-graduate or part-time university presence.

Figure 17: Supergroup 3 - Education and heritage centres: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

Source: Output from cluster analysis based on Census data from Nomis (England and Wales), Scotland Census (Scotland), and NISRA (Northern Ireland)

Download this image Figure 17: Supergroup 3 - Education and heritage centres: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

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Group 3a – Heritage towns and cities

13 local authorities – 3.48% of UK local authorities.

This group includes university locations across England and Wales. Most are coastal locations, but the group also includes historic and cultural centres such as York, Bath and Canterbury.

Full-time student levels are lower in this group than others within the supergroup, as is unemployment. Instead, part-time work in these areas is higher than the average, while full-time work is lower. Workers are more likely to work in managerial, directorial and senior official roles, and skilled trade occupations than the average.

Perhaps reflective of the lower levels of full-time students, residents are less likely to live in a communal establishment and more likely to have the same address as a year ago. They are more likely to live in detached housing and more likely to own or have shared ownership of their home. Car ownership of two or more cars or vans is also higher in this group.

Residents in these areas are less likely to be aged 25 to 44 years when compared with the wider supergroup, but there are higher proportions for those aged 65 to 84 years, and 85 years and over. Residents in this group are more likely to be married, with a smaller proportion of individuals who have never married than the other groups within this supergroup.

This group has a high proportion of residents who were born in the UK and high representation of people who identified their ethnic group within the White ethnic group category compared with the other groups in this supergroup. Additionally, there is a much lower representation of people identifying their ethnic group within the Chinese ethnic group category within this group. There is a lower proportion of people who report that they cannot speak English well or at all in these areas.

Figure 18: Group 3a - Heritage towns and cities: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

Source: Output from cluster analysis based on Census data from Nomis (England and Wales), Scotland Census (Scotland), and NISRA (Northern Ireland)

Download this image Figure 18: Group 3a - Heritage towns and cities: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

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Subgroup 3a1 – Coastal and service economy

7 local authorities – 1.87% of UK local authorities.

These areas are mainly in the south of England and Wales, and are mainly on the coast, including Swansea, Plymouth and Southend-on-Sea (except for Worcester).

Although these areas still reflect some university presence, this subgroup has a lower than group average of full-time students. Relative to the group, unemployment is higher for this subgroup. Among those who are in work, there are higher proportions of people working in the elementary, process plant and machine operative occupations, customer service, care and leisure sectors, skilled trades and administrative roles. These areas have a higher than group average standardised illness ratio and higher than average rates of unpaid care.

These areas have higher proportions of people who are separated or divorced, as well as one-person households than the average for the group. These populations appear more settled as they have a higher than group average proportion of people with the same address as a year ago. Residents are more likely to live in privately rented flats in this subgroup than in the other subgroup.

There are lower proportions of people who identified their ethnic group within the Indian or Chinese ethnic group categories, and a higher than group average of people who report that they cannot speak English well or at all.

Figure 19: Subgroup 3a1 - Coastal and service economy: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

Source: Output from cluster analysis based on Census data from Nomis (England and Wales), Scotland Census (Scotland), and NISRA (Northern Ireland)

Download this image Figure 19: Subgroup 3a1 - Coastal and service economy: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

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Subgroup 3a2 – Historic university towns and cities

6 local authorities – 1.60% of UK local authorities. Population density is lower than the group average.

This subgroup contains six local authorities within England with historic significance and are all now home to university campuses. They include York, Bath and North East Somerset, Colchester, Cheltenham, Lancaster and Canterbury.

These areas have higher proportions of full-time students, which may contribute to the higher proportions of people living in communal establishments, lower proportions of people with the same address a year ago, and higher proportion of people in these areas whose highest level of qualification is a Level 3 qualification. There are also higher proportions of people who identified their ethnicity within the Chinese ethnic group category.

Unemployment is lower in these areas, with those in work more likely to work as managers, directors or senior officials or in professional occupations than the group average.

There are higher proportions of people who own their homes and live in semi-detached housing, with a lower proportion living in flats. These areas have a higher proportion of families with no children, as well as higher proportions of both married and never-married individuals, reflecting the lower than group average proportion of people who are separated or divorced. Both standardised illness ratio and provision of unpaid care are lower than the group average.

Figure 20: Subgroup 3a2 - Historic university towns and cities: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

Source: Output from cluster analysis based on Census data from Nomis (England and Wales), Scotland Census (Scotland), and NISRA (Northern Ireland)

Download this image Figure 20: Subgroup 3a2 - Historic university towns and cities: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

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Group 3b – Major urban university centres

19 local authorities – 5.08% of UK local authorities.

This group includes areas of England and the capitals of Northern Ireland and Wales, Belfast and Cardiff, respectively. Typically sharing characteristics of urban areas that cover university, port or core economic centres, except for Welwyn Hatfield, they are also typified through their historically industrial significance.

With slightly higher levels of communal establishment living, as well as terraced housing, the population density for this group is higher than the average for this supergroup. Residents in these areas are less likely to have ownership of their accommodation. There are slightly elevated levels of unemployment, with those in work more likely to be working in sales and customer service, process plant and machine operative operations, or elementary occupations.

Households appear to be more typically younger families, with lower proportions of people over the age of 45 years and higher proportions of children. There are higher proportions of those who have never been married.

This group shows higher representation of people identifying their ethnic group within the Black, Other Asian, Indian, Chinese, and Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups categories, and a lower proportion of people identifying their ethnic group within the White ethnic group category than the average for the supergroup.

Figure 21: Group 3b - Major urban university centres: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

Source: Output from cluster analysis based on Census data from Nomis (England and Wales), Scotland Census (Scotland), and NISRA (Northern Ireland)

Download this image Figure 21: Group 3b - Major urban university centres: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

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Group 3c – Scottish cities

4 local authorities -1.07% of UK local authorities.

This group is confined to Scotland only and comprises the four major cities: Aberdeen, Glasgow, Dundee and Edinburgh, all of which have a strong student presence because of their universities.

Residents are more likely to live in flats, and more likely to live in one-person households than the other groups in this supergroup. Given lower-than-average levels of both private rental and property ownership, it is likely that this is social housing. Despite high levels of flats and slightly higher levels of communal establishments, there is slightly lower-than-average population density. There are lower-than-average levels of stability, reflected in smaller proportions of people at the same address as a year ago.

Residents are more likely to be in full-time employment or full-time education, with lower levels of unemployment. Employment is more likely to be in the professional and technical sectors, with lower levels of managerial and senior official occupations. In addition to lower than average unemployment, and despite the oldest age categories being under-represented, there is a higher than supergroup average standardised illness ratio and proportion of residents who provide unpaid care.

These areas have higher proportions of residents who identify their ethnic group within the Chinese ethnic group category, but lower proportions of people from the other ethnic groups when compared with the supergroup average. Additionally, there is a lower proportion of households in which all members share the same ethnic group and the proportion of residents who report that they cannot speak English well or at all is higher. In terms of religion, there is a lower proportion of individuals who identified as Christian and a higher proportion of individuals who reported no religion.

Figure 22: Group 3c - Scottish cities: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

Source: Output from cluster analysis based on Census data from Nomis (England and Wales), Scotland Census (Scotland), and NISRA (Northern Ireland)

Download this image Figure 22: Group 3c - Scottish cities: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

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Map 7: Local authority districts in Supergroup 4 with their groups and subgroups

Download this image Map 7: Local authority districts in Supergroup 4 with their groups and subgroups

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40 local authorities – 10.70% of UK local authorities.

This supergroup consists of areas in England only, including inland metropolitan areas around major cities. These include those situated around urban cores such as London (for example, Harrow and Hounslow) and Manchester (for example, Oldham and Rochdale), as well as urban centres themselves (for example, Birmingham and surrounding areas of Walsall and Wolverhampton). Population density is characteristically higher than the UK average.

This supergroup includes many young families with higher proportions of children aged 14 years and under, and younger adults (aged 25 to 44 years), than the UK average, and much lower levels of the older generations such as those aged 65 to 84 years. As might be expected, there are lower levels of one-person households and families with no children. These families are more likely to live in terraced accommodation than the UK average, and are less likely to own their accommodation, with higher private rental levels than elsewhere.

There are higher levels of unemployment compared with the UK average, with elevated levels of employment in the elementary, process plant and machine operative occupations, and service occupations, as well as a slightly higher level of administrative occupations. There are lower levels of unpaid caring and associated lower levels of long-term illness (as measured by the standardised illness ratio).

This supergroup consists of areas with higher-than-average representation from people identifying their ethnic group within the Indian, Black, Other Asian, and Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups categories, and lower-than-average levels of people identifying their ethnic group within the White ethnic group category, as well as fewer residents born in the UK. There are also higher proportions of residents who report that they cannot speak English well or at all.

Figure 23: Supergroup 4 - English metropolitan living: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

Source: Output from cluster analysis based on Census data from Nomis (England and Wales), Scotland Census (Scotland), and NISRA (Northern Ireland)

Download this image Figure 23: Supergroup 4 - English metropolitan living: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

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Group 4a – Ethnically diverse England

14 local authorities – 3.74% of UK local authorities.

These local authorities include some Midlands cities (such as Birmingham, Coventry and Leicester). The remaining areas benefit from good transport links into major city centres, including into London for the outer boroughs of, for example, Harrow and Sutton. Two of the UK’s major airports are covered by this group: Heathrow and Luton, which are located within the local authorities of Hillingdon and Luton, respectively.

Unsurprisingly for areas with a strong association with the Indian diaspora, there are higher-than-average proportions of people who identify their ethnic group within the Indian category, as well as people identifying within the Black, Chinese, Other Asian, and Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups categories compared with the supergroup average. The group shows lower levels of both people identifying themselves as Christian and having no religion. This group has a lower representation of people who identified their ethnic group within the White ethnic group category. There is a lower proportion of people with a country of birth in the UK, along with a higher proportion of people who report that they cannot speak English well or at all.

Households are typically more heterogeneous in ethnicity when compared with the supergroup average, with slightly elevated levels of communal establishment living evident in the group. There are proportionally fewer families without children and fewer single-person households, alongside lower levels of separated partners. There is further indication of young families with higher levels of children aged 14 years and under, and lower levels of older adults aged 45 years and over.

Unemployment is higher than the supergroup average, although for those in employment, there are higher levels of professional occupations, as well as higher levels of full-time students. There are lower levels of educational qualifications at Levels 1 through 3. Residents are more likely to live in privately rented accommodation and more likely to live in a flat than the average for the supergroup.

Figure 24: Group 4a - Ethnically diverse England: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

Source: Output from cluster analysis based on Census data from Nomis (England and Wales), Scotland Census (Scotland), and NISRA (Northern Ireland)

Download this image Figure 24: Group 4a - Ethnically diverse England: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

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Subgroup 4a1 – Ethnically diverse metropolitan living

5 local authorities – 1.34% of UK local authorities.

This subgroup contains only five local authorities, all of which are urbanised areas of England. These include Barking and Dagenham on the outskirts of London, Luton, and the Midlands cities of Birmingham, Coventry and Leicester.

The distinction between this and the other subgroup within this group appears to centre on several important areas, including economic characteristics. Unemployment in these areas is higher than the group average as well as part-time work, while full-time work is lower than the group average.

Of those in work, there is a higher proportion of people working in elementary, and process plant and machine operative occupations, as well as customer service, caring, leisure and other service occupations. There are higher than group average proportions of full-time students, as well as higher proportions of younger people (aged 14 years and under). There are also higher-than-average people with qualifications at Levels 1 through 3.

There are higher proportions of people born in the UK in this subgroup, and very slightly higher-than-group-average proportions of residents who identified their ethnic group within the Black ethnic group category, but lower than group average of residents who identified their ethnic group within the Other Asian, Indian and Chinese categories.

Students may account for the higher proportions of people living in communal establishments, but there are also higher standardised illness ratios in these areas as well as unpaid care. The proportions of one-person households are higher, as are the higher proportion of people who have never married. Housing is typically more likely to be terraced, detached or semi-detached than the group average, and with lower levels of both private rental and ownership, even more likely to be socially rented. There are lower proportions of households with two or more cars or vans.

Figure 25: Subgroup 4a1 - Ethnically diverse metropolitan living: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

Source: Output from cluster analysis based on Census data from Nomis (England and Wales), Scotland Census (Scotland), and NISRA (Northern Ireland)

Download this image Figure 25: Subgroup 4a1 - Ethnically diverse metropolitan living: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

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Subgroup 4a2 – London periphery

9 local authorities – 2.41% of UK local authorities.

These areas are on the outskirts of London and include some outer London boroughs, such as Croydon, Hounslow and Sutton. They are home to higher proportions of people aged 25 years and over than the other subgroup.

Residents in these areas are more likely to be married than average, and more likely to live in flats, which are more likely to be owned or privately rented. They are slightly more likely to identify their ethnic group within the Other Asian category. The standardised illness ratio of this subgroup is lower than the group average.

Unemployment is lower than the group average, and it is occupation that really sets this group apart from the average. There are higher levels of full-time employment, and people more likely to work as managers, directors and senior officials, or in professional, associate professional or technical roles, as well as administrative and secretarial occupations. There are also lower proportions of students in this subgroup on average.

Figure 26: Subgroup 4a2 - London periphery: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

Source: Output from cluster analysis based on Census data from Nomis (England and Wales), Scotland Census (Scotland), and NISRA (Northern Ireland)

Download this image Figure 26: Subgroup 4a2 - London periphery: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

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Group 4b – Ethnically diverse city periphery

26 local authorities – 6.95% of UK local authorities.

This group includes post-industrial areas of both the North West, including the former mill towns of Blackburn and Oldham, and the industrial Black Country areas of Walsall and Wolverhampton. These are now within easy access to the major metropolitan areas of Manchester and Birmingham, respectively. This is similar to the newer towns of Milton Keynes and Swindon, which also have good connections to major metropolitan areas such as Oxford, Cambridge and London.

There are slightly lower levels of unemployment in this group, with residents more likely to be employed in the skilled trades than those in the other group. There are higher levels of entry to apprenticeship and Level 3 qualifications, and slightly lower levels of full-time students or those in the professional occupations.

Compared with the supergroup average, residents are more likely to have some ownership of their home and are less likely to live in a private rental or a flat. There are higher levels of multiple car and van ownership. Residents are more likely to be separated or divorced, more likely to live in one-person households and there is a higher proportion of families with no children within this group compared with the other groups in this supergroup. There is also a higher representation among older age groups (aged 45 years and over), as well as those with unpaid caring responsibilities and a higher standardised illness ratio.

There is less ethnic diversity evident within households, with higher levels of homogeneity reported. These areas have higher levels of people identifying their ethnic group within the White ethnic group category and lower proportions within any of the other categories compared. There is a much higher proportion of people born in the UK and lower levels of those who report that they cannot speak English well or at all compared with the other groups in this supergroup.

Figure 27: Group 4b - Ethnically diverse city periphery: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

Source: Output from cluster analysis based on Census data from Nomis (England and Wales), Scotland Census (Scotland), and NISRA (Northern Ireland)

Download this image Figure 27: Group 4b - Ethnically diverse city periphery: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

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Subgroup 4b1 – Ethnically diverse manufacturing legacy

12 local authorities – 3.21% of UK local authorities.

These areas are mainly in the Midlands and the north of England, except for Ipswich, which is in Suffolk. The areas in this subgroup are typically urbanised locations, post-industrial in nature, with ongoing regeneration. Many are former and current major manufacturing centres, including Bradford, Wolverhampton, and Blackburn with Darwen.

This subgroup includes higher proportions of school-aged children, as well as higher proportions of full-time students, than the group average. There is a higher proportion of people living in communal establishments, and housing in these areas is more likely to be semi-detached or detached. People are more likely to live in one-person households and there are higher proportions of people who have never married. Households in these areas are more settled than other areas as there are slightly higher proportions of households with the same address as one year ago.

There is a higher proportion of people who identified their ethnic group within the Indian category, along with lower levels of people identifying within the other ethnic groups categories. There are both lower proportions of people identifying themselves as Christian and those reporting no religion. There are lower proportions of people born in non-EU European countries and higher proportions of those who report that they cannot speak English well or at all.

There is a higher standardised illness ratio as well as higher levels of unpaid care. Residents in these areas tend to be more likely to be working part-time and less likely to be in full-time employment than the average, and there are slightly higher levels of unemployment. These areas have lower-than-group-average proportions of residents with Level 1, Level 2 or apprenticeship and Level 3 qualifications, and employment proportions show higher levels in the service sectors and process plant and machine operative occupations. There are lower levels of senior leadership, professional and administrative occupations.

Figure 28: Subgroup 4b1 - Ethnically diverse manufacturing legacy: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

Source: Output from cluster analysis based on Census data from Nomis (England and Wales), Scotland Census (Scotland), and NISRA (Northern Ireland)

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Subgroup 4b2 – Southern England commuter living

14 local authorities – 3.74% of UK local authorities.

This subgroup represents the southern part of Group 4b, located in the commuter belt outside of London. It includes areas with post-war new towns such as Crawley, Milton Keynes, Stevenage and Swindon.

A clear distinction from the other subgroup in this group is that this subgroup has higher proportions of people in full-time work and employed as managers, directors and senior officials, professional occupations and associate professional and technical occupations, and administrative and secretarial occupations. There are lower levels of both unemployment and those in full-time education.

There are higher proportions of people aged 25 to 64 years. Households are more likely to consist of partners (married or in a civil partnership), and less likely to be single-person households compared with the rest of the group. Households are more likely to live in flats than the average, as well as more likely to have ownership of both their accommodation, and have car ownership of two or more cars.

This subgroup has lower proportions of those who identify their ethnic group within the Indian ethnic group category, compared with the group mean. There are higher levels of people identifying themselves as Christian or having no religion, along with lower levels of those who report that they do not speak English well or at all.

Figure 29: Subgroup 4b2 - Southern England commuter living: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

Source: Output from cluster analysis based on Census data from Nomis (England and Wales), Scotland Census (Scotland), and NISRA (Northern Ireland)

Download this image Figure 29: Subgroup 4b2 - Southern England commuter living: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

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Map 8: Local authority districts in Supergroup 5 with their groups and subgroups

Download this image Map 8: Local authority districts in Supergroup 5 with their groups and subgroups

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98 local authorities – 26.20% of UK local authorities.

This supergroup is represented within all countries of the UK. This supergroup covers coastal and countryside areas including the Islands, Highlands and many National Parks. Rural in nature, the population for this supergroup is characterised by living in countryside areas with a low population density.

There is a higher representation among older age groups (aged 65 years and over), and families with no children in this supergroup, as seen in higher levels than the UK average. Residents are more likely to live in detached housing, in ethnically homogeneous households, with higher levels of residents identifying their ethnic group within the White ethnic group, born in the UK, and identifying as Christian or reporting no religion. These are typically settled households, with higher-than-average levels of the same address as the previous year.

Residents are less likely to work full-time but are also less likely to be unemployed than the UK average. Instead, they are more likely to work part-time and to be employed in a skilled trades occupation, with entry-level to apprenticeship qualifications, occurring at higher-than-average levels compared with the UK as a whole. There are also lower representations of full-time students in this supergroup, perhaps unsurprisingly given the exclusion of major university towns and cities.

Figure 30: Supergroup 5 - Coastal and countryside living: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

Source: Output from cluster analysis based on Census data from Nomis (England and Wales), Scotland Census (Scotland), and NISRA (Northern Ireland)

Download this image Figure 30: Supergroup 5 - Coastal and countryside living: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

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Group 5a – Remote rural and coastal living

28 local authorities – 7.49% of UK local authorities.

This group consists of areas across England and Wales, most of which are coastal or have strong coastal connections; many of which are on or off the southern coasts of England, including Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly, and Isle of Wight. This group includes countryside communities and includes the National Parks of Eryri (Snowdonia) and Exmoor.

The population for this group is characterised by living in more rural areas with lower population densities for the UK, but higher densities than those found in the other groups within this supergroup.

Unemployment and part-time working are both more prevalent in this group than for the other groups in this supergroup, with full-time employment much lower. People in these areas are more likely to work in caring, leisure, sales and customer service occupations than those in the other groups, with slightly higher levels of skilled trades also seen.

There is a higher representation of post-retirement age groups (65 years and over) than in the other groups in this supergroup. Residents are more likely to be separated or divorced, as well as living in one-person households. There is a slightly higher standardised illness ratio, although levels of unpaid care are lower. Residents are more likely to live in flats and terraced housing, and are more likely to be private renting, with lower levels of home ownership.

Figure 31: Group 5a - Remote rural and coastal living: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

Source: Output from cluster analysis based on Census data from Nomis (England and Wales), Scotland Census (Scotland), and NISRA (Northern Ireland)

Download this image Figure 31: Group 5a - Remote rural and coastal living: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

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Group 5b – Countryside living

25 local authorities – 6.68% of UK local authorities.

This group consists of areas mainly in England, but with some located in Northern Ireland and Wales. These include both coastal communities (including Ards and North Down, Carmarthenshire, King’s Lynn and West Norfolk) and some inland communities (including Staffordshire Moorlands, Melton, and Newark and Sherwood). This group includes countryside communities including the National Parks of both Northumberland and parts of the Lake District.

The population for this group is characterised by living in more rural, countryside areas with lower population densities for the UK, though broadly in line with the averages seen across the other groups within this supergroup.

Unemployment is slightly more prevalent in this group than for the other groups in this supergroup, with those employed more likely to work full-time, and to be employed as process plant and machine operatives, and in elementary occupations or administrative roles. They are less likely to be in part-time work and working in the other occupations compared with the supergroup average.

The profile indicates young families are more prevalent in this subgroup, with higher levels of younger adults (aged 25 to 44 years) and children, and lower average proportions of older adults (aged 45 years and over). Residents are less likely to live in one-person households than the supergroup average.

Households tend to be more likely to be ethnically homogeneous than other areas in this supergroup, and residents of this group are more likely to identify as Christian than the supergroup average. Residents are less likely to live in flats and more likely to live in semi-detached houses.

Figure 32: Group 5b - Countryside living: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

Source: Output from cluster analysis based on Census data from Nomis (England and Wales), Scotland Census (Scotland), and NISRA (Northern Ireland)

Download this image Figure 32: Group 5b - Countryside living: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

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Group 5c – Scottish countryside living

14 local authorities – 3.74% of UK local authorities.

This group consists of areas of Scotland, excluding the central Scottish belt and city regions. These are countryside locations, which are often remote and include the Highlands and most of the Scottish islands.

Characterised by traditional industries focused on both land and sea, many have a growing dependency on the tourism sector, alongside a declining and ageing population. Many of these areas are remote communities as seen by the lower population density than the other areas in this supergroup.

Contrary to what might be expected, there are lower levels of unemployment in this group when compared with the average for the cluster. Those in employment are more likely to be in full-time work, with lower levels of part-time employment. This work is more likely than the average to be in elementary, plant and machine operative occupations, and professional and technical occupations, and less likely to be in more senior roles, such as managerial and directorial occupations. There are higher-than-average levels of entry level to apprenticeship qualifications. There are high levels of those who report that they cannot speak English well or at all.

When compared with the supergroup average, this group has both lower levels of privately rented or ownership of accommodation, suggesting higher levels of social housing. These households are less likely to consist of families, with higher levels of one-person households, and those aged between 45 and 64 years (and a lower average proportion of children). Despite this, there are higher-than-average levels of unpaid care and standardised illness ratio, which suggests some care outside the home.

The proportion of people reporting no religion is much higher in this group compared with the others within this cluster.

Figure 33: Group 5c - Scottish countryside living: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

Source: Output from cluster analysis based on Census data from Nomis (England and Wales), Scotland Census (Scotland), and NISRA (Northern Ireland)

Download this image Figure 33: Group 5c - Scottish countryside living: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

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Group 5d – Comfortable countryside living

31 local authorities – 8.29% of UK local authorities.

This group includes mainly areas that are in England, except for Monmouthshire, which is on the Welsh border with England. These are countryside areas encompassing multiple National Parks including some local authorities within the Lake District and Peak District. These countryside communities have a lower-than-UK-average population density but one that is similar to the average for the rural areas that make up this supergroup.

While typically fairly similar to the supergroup averages, residents in this group are slightly more likely to live in a semi-detached or detached house, as well as have access to two (or more) cars or vans than the average resident of the supergroup. The area has higher proportions of married residents and those with no children, alongside the expected higher levels of older adults. It also shows lower levels of unpaid caring responsibilities and standardised illness ratio.

Residents have lower levels of unemployment compared with the (already lower than UK average) supergroup average, with higher levels of employment at the managerial, director and senior official occupational level.

Figure 34: Group 5d - Comfortable countryside living: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

Source: Output from cluster analysis based on Census data from Nomis (England and Wales), Scotland Census (Scotland), and NISRA (Northern Ireland)

Download this image Figure 34: Group 5d - Comfortable countryside living: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

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Map 9: Local authority districts in Supergroup 6 with their groups and subgroups

Download this image Map 9: Local authority districts in Supergroup 6 with their groups and subgroups

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87 local authorities – 23.26% of UK local authorities.

All countries of the UK are represented within this supergroup, with areas being predominantly suburban or semi-rural commuter areas around major urban areas, such as St Albans, Lisburn and Castlereagh, and Bromley. The population density of these areas is slightly lower than the UK average.

Unemployment within the areas of this cluster is typically lower than the UK average and there are fewer people who experience long-term sickness and disability when compared with the UK average. The workforce of this supergroup is more likely to work as managers, directors and senior officials, in the professional occupations, associate professionals and technical occupations, and in administrative and secretarial occupations. Conversely, residents in these areas are proportionally less likely to work in skilled trade, service, and customer service occupations, and the more elementary occupations.

Perhaps reflecting the commuter nature of these areas, households are more likely to own two or more cars or vans than the other clusters. When compared with the UK average, they are more likely to own their own home, and this home is more likely to be detached. In terms of composition of the households, people in this supergroup are more likely to be married or registered in a civil partnership, while the age and ethnicity profiles do not tend to deviate too far from the rest of the UK.

Figure 35: Supergroup 6 - Commuter living: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

Source: Output from cluster analysis based on Census data from Nomis (England and Wales), Scotland Census (Scotland), and NISRA (Northern Ireland)

Download this image Figure 35: Supergroup 6 - Commuter living: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

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Group 6a – Major urban centre periphery

24 local authorities – 6.42% of UK local authorities.

These districts are confined to England only and are on the periphery of three major cities. For example, Solihull, Trafford and Buckinghamshire contain commuter towns to Birmingham, Manchester and London, respectively.

This group appears to have characteristics associated with young families, with higher-than-average proportions of younger adults and children, and lower proportions of older adults (45 years and over). The latter of which may contribute to lower levels experiencing long-term illness or disability compared with the other groups in this supergroup, alongside correspondingly lower proportions of unpaid care. There are slightly higher-than-average levels of full-time students. Residents are more likely to live in flats and live in privately rented accommodation.

The population in this group have predominately fewer people identifying their ethnic group within the White ethnic group category compared with the rest of the supergroup. In contrast, there is a higher representation of people identifying their ethnic group within the Black, Indian, Chinese, Other Asian, and Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups categories. There are lower proportions of people reporting themselves as Christian or having no religion, and as a result, religious diversity is also likely to be higher in this group than in the other groups within this cluster.

While unemployment is higher than the average for this supergroup, and lower-than-average rates for Level 1, 2 or apprenticeship qualifications, those who are in employment are slightly more likely to be in full-time work. They also show higher-than-average employment in the technical, professional and managerial occupations. There are also higher proportions of people who report that they cannot speak English well or at all.

Figure 36: Group 6a - Major urban centre periphery: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

Source: Output from cluster analysis based on Census data from Nomis (England and Wales), Scotland Census (Scotland), and NISRA (Northern Ireland)

Download this image Figure 36: Group 6a - Major urban centre periphery: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

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Group 6b – Rural urban fringe

29 local authorities – 7.75% of UK local authorities.

This group includes inland areas of England and Scotland. These areas have a mix of rural and urban environments, with several located within commuting distance to major cities, such as East Dunbartonshire to Glasgow, and Cheshire East to Manchester. A significant number of South East regions also fall into this group, characterised by good rail connections to London.

Compared with the supergroup average, there are higher levels of people aged over 45 years, with conversely lower levels of younger adults (aged 25 to 45 years). Perhaps reflective of this demographic, there are higher levels of part-time work and lower levels of full-time employment. Simultaneously, there are lower levels of unemployment in this group.

Residences are more likely to be detached, with residents having a higher proportion of ownership of their properties than the supergroup average. The incidence of two or more cars is higher for this group.

Additionally, members of this group are more likely to be married than those in the rest of this supergroup. Households are slightly more likely to have homogeneous ethnicity, with residents in these areas more likely to identify with the White ethnic group category and be slightly more likely to have been born in the UK.

Figure 37: Group 6b - Rural urban fringe: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

Source: Output from cluster analysis based on Census data from Nomis (England and Wales), Scotland Census (Scotland), and NISRA (Northern Ireland)

Download this image Figure 37: Group 6b - Rural urban fringe: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

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Group 6c – Rural commuter towns

34 local authorities – 9.09% of UK local authorities.

This group consists of areas of rural local authorities across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, which are near larger urban areas but may lack strong transport links. These include South Gloucestershire near to Bristol, Lisburn and Castlereagh near to Belfast and Glamorgan near to Cardiff.

This group has slightly higher levels of Level 1 to 3 qualifications, but relatively lower levels of individuals employed in the managerial, professional and technical occupations. There are higher proportions working in elementary through to skilled-trade occupations compared with the wider supergroup.

Individuals are more likely to be separated or divorced than those in the other groups, with their accommodation less likely to be a flat, although ownership-rental rates are similar to the supergroup average. This group’s averages indicate that these areas are more homogeneously White than the other two groups.

Figure 38: Group 6c - Rural commuter towns: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

Source: Output from cluster analysis based on Census data from Nomis (England and Wales), Scotland Census (Scotland), and NISRA (Northern Ireland)

Download this image Figure 38: Group 6c - Rural commuter towns: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

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Subgroup 6c1 – English countryside commuter living

17 local authorities – 4.55% of UK local authorities.

These are areas in the countryside mainly located in central England and include Wiltshire, East Cambridgeshire, and Rochford. They have higher proportions of older people, those who were born in the UK, and people who identified their ethnic group within the White ethnic group category.

Households are more likely to be ethnically homogeneous and to consist of more than one person. There are higher proportions of individuals who are married or separated, and families with no children, compared with the group average.

Unemployment is lower than the group average, and people in work are more likely to work in skilled trades or work as managers, directors or as senior officials. They are more likely to have ownership or shared ownership of their home and live in detached housing. They are more likely to have ownership of two or more cars or vans and have their highest level of qualification as Level 1, 2 or apprenticeship.

Figure 39: Subgroup 6c1 - English countryside commuter living: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

Source: Output from cluster analysis based on Census data from Nomis (England and Wales), Scotland Census (Scotland), and NISRA (Northern Ireland)

Download this image Figure 39: Subgroup 6c1 - English countryside commuter living: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

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Subgroup 6c2 – Young families

9 local authorities – 2.41% of UK local authorities.

The areas in this subgroup are located in the Midlands and south of England, and include Rugby, West Northamptonshire and Maidstone, all of which share a similar proximity to larger population centres.

Compared with the group averages, this subgroup has a higher proportion of younger people, including younger adults and children, and lower levels of families without children. Despite a lower level of long-term illness (as noted by lower standardised illness ratio) and proportions of people providing unpaid care, there are higher levels of unemployment than the group average, with those in elementary employment more prevalent than the other groups. Those in work are relatively more likely to work full-time and less likely to work part-time.

Residents are more likely to live in private rented accommodation in a flat or terraced housing. This subgroup has the lowest levels of stability in terms of housing, with relatively low levels reporting their address is the same as that of a year ago.

There are predominantly fewer people identifying their ethnic group within the White ethnic group category in this subgroup and within constituent households. This is shown by higher-than-average proportions of people who identified their ethnic group within the Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups category and lower levels of ethnically homogeneous households. There are relatively higher proportions of people who report that they cannot speak English well or at all, lower proportions of those born in the UK, and the lowest levels of people who identified their ethnic group within the White ethnic group category.

Figure 40: Subgroup 6c2 - Young families: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

Source: Output from cluster analysis based on Census data from Nomis (England and Wales), Scotland Census (Scotland), and NISRA (Northern Ireland)

Download this image Figure 40: Subgroup 6c2 - Young families: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

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Subgroup 6c3 – Semi-rural living

8 local authorities – 2.14% of UK local authorities.

This subgroup contains areas in the west of England, South Wales and Northern Ireland, some of which are coastal. Areas in this subgroup include Cheshire West and Chester, Stockport, and South Gloucestershire.

There is a higher standardised illness ratio, as well as higher proportions of people providing unpaid care in these areas, than the other subgroups within this group. This may partly account for the higher levels of part-time employment and lower levels of full-time employment.

Among those in work, there are higher proportions employed in service and professional occupations, and relatively lower rates of more senior managerial and directorial roles, as well as skilled trade occupations. Households in these areas are also much less likely to have car ownership of two or more cars or vans, compared with the rest of the group.

As well as a higher proportion of people in one-person households, and higher proportions of people who have never married, there are higher levels of those living in a communal establishment. Some of this may be explained by higher levels of full-time students, which may also contribute to the higher proportion of the population in these areas having Level 3 qualifications as their highest level of qualification.

While levels of spoken English ability, household heterogeneity and much of the other ethnic identity levels are close to the group average, there are higher proportions of people who identify their ethnic group as being within the Indian category and even more so within the Chinese category.

Figure 41: Subgroup 6c3 - Semi-rural living: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

Source: Output from cluster analysis based on Census data from Nomis (England and Wales), Scotland Census (Scotland), and NISRA (Northern Ireland)

Download this image Figure 41: Subgroup 6c3 - Semi-rural living: characteristics, 2021 and 2022

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Please note the shortened wording in this glossary. This has been implemented to make the pen portraits and plots easier to read and understand.

You can access a full variable breakdown of ethnic group data from each of the three censuses:

• England and Wales: Ethnic Group (TS021)

• Scotland: Ethnic Group (UV201)

• Northern Ireland: Ethnic Group (MS-B01)

Black

As this work includes data from England and Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, the phrase "Black" is used as a collective term, which incorporates all those who identified under:

• the "Ethnic group: Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African" category for England and Wales

• the "Ethnic Group – 5 Categories: Black" for Northern Ireland

• the "Ethnic group – Caribbean or Black: Black, Black Scottish or Black British" for Scotland.

Chinese

As this work includes data from England and Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, the phrase "Chinese" is used as a collective term, which incorporates all those who identified under:

• the "Ethnic group: Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh: Chinese" category for England and Wales

• the "Ethnic Group: Chinese" category for Northern Ireland

• the "Ethnic group – Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British: Chinese, Chinese" category for Scotland

Communal establishments

A communal establishment is a place that provides full-time or part-time supervision of residential accommodation, such as student halls of residence, boarding schools, armed forces bases, hospitals, care homes and prisons.

Entry level to apprenticeship level

Referring to three variables of the census table highest level of qualification (TS067), which represents:

• Level 1 and entry level qualifications

• Level 2 qualifications

• apprenticeships

Full-time

Full-time work encompasses those who responded to the "In your main job, how many hours a week do you usually work?" question, either:

• 31 to 48 hours, or

• 49 hours or more

Full-time students

The full-time student variable is based on the National Statistics Socio-economic Classification (NS-SEC) (TS062), which indicates a person's socio-economic position based on their occupation and other job characteristics.

Group average

This is the standardised mean of this group cluster for each of the 50 variables used during clustering.

Indian

As this work includes data from England and Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, the phrase "Indian" is used as a collective term, which incorporates all those who identified under:

• the "Ethnic group: Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh: Indian" category for England and Wales

• the "Ethnic Group: Indian" category for Northern Ireland

• the "Ethnic group – Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British: Indian, Indian" category for Scotland

Inner London

Inner London is defined in line with the ONS Geography Local Authority District to Inner and Outer London (December 2022) Lookup in EN.

This includes 14 London boroughs:

• City of London

• Camden

• Hackney

• Hammersmith and Fulham

• Haringey

• Islington

• Kensington and Chelsea

• Lambeth

• Lewisham

• Newham

• Southwark

• Tower Hamlets

• Wandsworth

• Westminster

Mixed or Multiple

As this work includes data from England and Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, the phrase "Mixed or Multiple" is used in relation to ethnicity as a collective term, which incorporates all those who identified under:

• the "Ethnic group: Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups" category for England and Wales

• the "Ethnic Group: Mixed" category for Northern Ireland

• the "Ethnic group – Mixed or multiple ethnic group" category for Scotland

Other Asian

As this work includes data from England and Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, the phrase "Other Asian" is used as a collective term, which incorporates all those who identified under:

• the "Ethnic group: Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh: Other Asian" category for England and Wales

• the "Ethnic Group: Other Asian" category for Northern Ireland

• the "Ethnic group - Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British: Other Asian" category for Scotland

Outer London

Outer London is defined in line with the ONS Geography Local Authority District to Inner and Outer London (December 2022) Lookup in EN.

This includes 19 London boroughs:

• Barking and Dagenham

• Barnet

• Bexley

• Brent

• Bromley

• Croydon

• Ealing

• Enfield

• Greenwich

• Harrow

• Havering

• Hillingdon

• Hounslow

• Kingston upon Thames

• Merton

• Redbridge

• Richmond upon Thames

• Sutton

• Waltham Forest

Part-time

Part-time work encompasses those who responded to the "In your main job, how many hours a week do you usually work?" question, either:

• 0 to 15 hours, or

• 16 to 30 hours

Population density

Number of people per square kilometre. These data are provided for all three countries.

For England and Wales, the data are automatically downloaded from the Nomis API as TS006; and for Scotland and Northern Ireland, this step is done manually.

Northern Ireland population density raw data are converted from hectares to square kilometres in the processing.

Standardised illness ratio

The standardised illness ratio (SIR) is a measure derived from the number of people with a disability or long-term illness in an area, standardised against expected numbers, given the age distribution of an area and the national age-disaggregated disability and illness rates.

For specific details of this calculation please see 4.0 Method of the standardised illness ratio.

Subgroup average

This is the standardised mean of this subgroup cluster for each of the 50 variables used during clustering.

Supergroup average

This is the standardised mean of this supergroup cluster for each of the 50 variables used during clustering.

UK average

This is the UK standardised mean for each of the 50 variables used during clustering.

White

As this work includes data from England and Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, the phrase "White" is used as a collective term, which incorporates all those who identified under:

• the "Ethnic group: White" category for England and Wales

• the "Ethnic Group – 2 Categories: White" category for Northern Ireland

• the "Ethnic group – White: Total" category for Scotland

• ONSgeo Area Classification repository - GitHub.

• 2021 and 2022 Output Area Classification (UK) - Geographic Data Service website.

• 2021 and 2022 Super Output Area Classification (UK) - Geographic Data Service website.

• Wyszomierski, J., Longley, P.A., Singleton, A.D., Gale, C. and O'Brien, O. (2024) A neighbourhood Output Area Classification from the 2021 and 2022 UK censuses. The Geographical Journal, 190, e12550).

• Residential-based area classifications (2011) - ONS website.

• Output Area Classification (2001) - Geographic Data Service website.