Summary

Significant changes in the population demographics of Middlesbrough since the previous Census highlights an increasingly diverse and ageing population in the town.

Significantly higher numbers of residents were born outside of the UK, there is a large increase in the proportion of BME inhabitants and a large increase in the population of older people.

These increases amongst these demographic groupings to a large degree are offset by, a significant decline in the numbers of children and young people in the town and an overall reduction in the town's total population.

Key points

• The 2011 Census showed a 2% decline in Middlesbrough's total population during the past ten years, down from 141,233 in 2001 to 138,400 in 2011 - equivalent to a reduction in the town's overall population of 2,833.
• A significant minority of Middlesbrough's total population (8.2%) were born outside of the UK in 2011, either in the EU or elsewhere (compared with 13.3% nationally), this represents an increase of 3.9% since 2001 - equivalent to an increase of 90.7% from within this particular cohort.
• The proportion of the town's inhabitants who were from within the BME community also rose significantly over the past ten years, by 5.4%, from 6.3% in 2001 up to 11.7% in 2011 - equivalent to an increase of 86% from within the BME group.
• At ward level, there have been some major changes concerning the distribution of the population during the past ten years. The largest increases in population can be observed in the wards of Linthorpe (16.4%), University (12.5%) and Middlehaven (6.7%); whilst the largest decreases include Gresham (-15.1%), Clairville (-10.6%), and North Ormesby and Brambles Farm (-8.1%).
• Finally, these changes in local population demographics, and in particular, the fall in the overall number of residents, raise significant funding implications for Middlesbrough in an extremely difficult financial climate.

Summary

Despite some improvements in health in Middlesbrough over time, there are still persistent and marked inequalities between neighbourhoods within the town. Also Middlesbrough continues to perform below the England average on both of the health measures contained in the 2011 national Census.

Key points

• Two self-reported health measures from the 2011 Census showed a significant improvement in the overall health of the town during the past ten years, but both measures are still below the England average.
• There was a significant improvement in the proportion of the local population who reported good general health in the 2011 Census.
• There are significant geographical variations (or inequalities) in health status in Middlesbrough based on the two key health indicator questions contained in the 2011 national survey.
• Despite the stubbornly wide inequalities in health within Middlesbrough, all of the town's 23 electoral wards experienced some improvement in general health terms during the past ten years.

Summary

Based on a range of indicators for measuring economic activity, the Census results shows that Middlesbrough persistently performs significantly below the national average on most variables. The local rates for unemployment (including the long term unemployed and those who have never worked) have all increased over the previous ten years and are all well above the England average.

On a more positive note there are now more people from Middlesbrough who are occupied in part time employment than ten years ago and there are many more lone parents in particular who are now engaged in some form of work than in 2001

Key points

• Based on a range of indicators for measuring economic activity, Middlesbrough performs significantly below the national average.
• The overall employment rate in Middlesbrough in 2011 was 51.2%, compared with 61.9% nationally, whilst the proportion of those who were unemployed in Middlesbrough in 2011 (7.6%) was significantly higher than the national rate (4.4%).
• The highest rate of employees from Middlesbrough (14.8%) where employed in elementary occupations in 2011, compared with 11.1% nationally.
• The largest industry of employment in Middlesbrough in 2011 was public sector services where those retained in health and social work, education, and general public administration was 32.4%, compared with 28.4% nationally.
• The proportion of lone parents in part time work increased significantly during the past ten years, from 25.5% in 2001, up by 7.6%, to 33.1% in 2011.
• Whilst manufacturing shrank significantly between 2001 and 2011 in Middlesbrough, most public sector industries expanded during this period or remained relatively stable and in line with 2001 census results.
• At ward level, there are significant variations or inequalities in the levels of economic activity and inactivity between wards in Middlesbrough.

Summary

There have been some improvements in education outcomes in Middlesbrough over time, however there are still persistent and marked inequalities in education between neighbourhoods within the town.

Middlesbrough also continues to perform well below the England average on both of the education measures contained in the 2011 national Census.

Key points

Two education indicators showed a marked improvement in educational outcomes over the past ten years in Middlesbrough, but both measures are still well below the national figure.

There are significant geographical variations (or inequalities) in education within Middlesbrough (at ward level) based on the two broad education indicators included in the 2011 national survey.

There is a strong, linear correlation between educational outcomes and age, which shows the percentage of the population without any recognised qualification in Middlesbrough increases significantly for older age groups.

Summary

Census deprivation scores and rankings show very high levels of deprivation in Middlesbrough, including eight wards which fall within the most one per cent of deprived wards in England.

In simple terms this data translates into many thousands of families from Middlesbrough who fall well below the government's official threshold for those who are living in poverty and highlights the structural nature of the social and economic problems that continue to face a very large proportion of the town's population.

Key points

Based on the rate of workless households, Middlesbrough has some of the highest levels of poverty in the UK. This translates into thousands of families from Middlesbrough who will fall well below the government's official threshold for those who are living in poverty.

Changes between 2001 and 2011 show that the rates of poverty and deprivation in Middlesbrough have decreased significantly during the past ten years, but there has been very little change in the general pattern or polarisation of poverty and deprivation across Middlesbrough during this time.

There are very wide and persistent variations (or inequalities) in poverty and deprivation within Middlesbrough (at ward level) and in certain parts of the town the rates of poverty and deprivation are critically high.

Approximately two in five of the total unemployed population in the town are young people aged between 16 and 24 years old, which raises significant concerns about the rising level of youth poverty in Middlesbrough.