Key Facts About West Berkshire

In 2019 West Berkshire had an estimated population of 161,400 which is an increase of 4.9%, from around 153,800 in 2011. This is lower than the overall increase for the South East (7.5%) and England (6.6%).

The total number of households (in 2022) is estimated as 66,700 an increase of 7% since 2011. It is expected that households will become smaller, with one person households increasing by an estimated 21.9% by 2043.

In 2020, for every resident aged 16-64, there were on average 1.1 jobs jobs in West Berkshire. This is higher than the South East and Great Britain.

Nearly thrre quarters of West Berkshire is classified as part of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

In 2021, 56% of our households were not deprived in any of the four dimensions (Employment, education, health and disability, and household overcrowding) compared to 48.3% average for England.

Highly qualified workforce, 71.5% of 16-64 year olds living in the area qualified at level NVQ3 and above or general education equivalent. Better than South East (63.8%) and Great Britain (61.5%) (Dec 2021).

85.2% of 16 to 64 year olds are economically active (people that are not retired, a student, a carer or unemployed). This is higher than the South East and Great Britain averages (June 2022).

20.85% the rate of violent crime per 1,000 population for 2021/22, is below that for Thames Valley overall (27.74).

Access to Heathrow Airport in less than 60 minutes and good connectivity North to South (A34) and East to West (M4).

Healthy life expectancy at birth at 70.1 years for females and 69.4 for males are higher than the England average (2018-20). Similarly, life expectancy at birth, at 84.4 for females and 80.2 for males is higher than the national average (2018-20).

West Berkshire has 1,900 listed buildings, 90 scheduled monuments, 53 conservation areas, 39 locally listed heritage assets, 14 registered parks and gardens and 1 registered battlefield - all these heritage assets contribute to the sense of place of West Berkshire

West Berkshire has 27.7 miles of motorway, 78.5 miles of A roads and 782.4 miles of minor roads.

1,792 older people and vulnerable adults accessing long term support (Sep 2022)

A vibrant economy with 8,345 businesses, an increase of 6.9% since 2012.

West Berkshire has 51 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), which are of national importance for animal and plant life.