Is Barnstaple in North Devon a nice place to live or is it a bit rough? We have collated a series of socio-economic statistics and demographics from UK government sources such as the 2021 Census and the Index of Multiple Deprivation. They should give you a broad snapshot of the area and the surrounding locations. Are the residents of Barnstaple older than the national average or younger? What is the population of Barnstaple and North Devon? What is the claimant count in Barnstaple and how many residents are unemployed? This page should provide you with the answers.Barnstaple Education Statistics
We have taken the raw data from the 2021 census to found of the level of education Barnstaple residents have in terms of formal qualifications as a percentage. The UK government breaks qualifications down into 7 levels. A detailed explanation of these levels can be found here. However, the Census groups these into just 4 \'levels\'. Here are some examples of the qualifications each census level represents when not stated;
- Level 1 - GCSE grades D, E, F, or G & below
- Level 2 - GCSE A*, A, B, C or O Level grades A, B or C
- Level 3 - A or AS qualification at any grade
- Level 4 - HNC, Bachelors Degree, Masters Degree or Phd
In this first table we have compared Barnstaple to the national average for England.
| Level | Barnstaple Central | England |
|---|
| No Qualifications | 22.66% | 18.08% |
| Level 1 | 12.89% | 9.69% |
| Level 2 | 14.13% | 13.32% |
| Apprenticeship | 5.34% | 5.32% |
| Level 3 | 15.19% | 16.92% |
| Level 4 | 27.32% | 33.92% |
What are the occupations of the residents of Barnstaple?
The largest employment sector in Barnstaple is Elementary Occupations. The smallest employment sector is Administrative & Secretarial.| Sector | Proportion |
|---|
| Elementary Occupations | 16.76% |
| Professional Occupations | 15.73% |
| Skilled Trades | 12.33% |
| Caring, leisure & Other Services | 11.3% |
| Process Plant & Machine Operatives | 10.59% |
| Associate Professional & Technical | 9.25% |
| Managers, Directors & Senior Officials | 8.7% |
| Administrative & Secretarial | 6.32% |
How many residents own or rent their home in Barnstaple and North Devon
We have taken the raw data from the 2021 census and calculated what proportion of people in Barnstaple either own or rent their home. All percentages have been rounded to two decimal places. 33.27 of residents own their home either outright or mortgaged. 66.73 of Barnstaple residents rent their home either privately or through a social landlord. | Area | Owned | Rented |
|---|
| Barnstaple Central | 33.27% | 66.73% |
| North Devon | 67.32% | 32.68% |
| South West | 65.88% | 34.12% |
| England | 61.31% | 38.69% |
Barnstaple has a significantly lower level of home ownership than the national average. This is indicative or an economically deprived area.
Barnstaple compared to other wards in North Devon
| # | Ward | Owned | Rented |
|---|
| 1 | Fremington | 81.3% | 18.7% |
|---|
| 2 | Marwood | 81.09% | 18.91% |
|---|
| 3 | Roundswell | 80.05% | 19.95% |
|---|
| 4 | Braunton East | 78.41% | 21.59% |
|---|
| 5 | Landkey | 76.74% | 23.26% |
|---|
| 6 | Mortehoe | 76.5% | 23.5% |
|---|
| 7 | Braunton West & Georgeham | 75.92% | 24.08% |
|---|
| 8 | Bishop's Nympton | 75.68% | 24.32% |
|---|
| 9 | Witheridge | 75.02% | 24.98% |
|---|
| 10 | Chittlehampton | 74.44% | 25.56% |
|---|
| 11 | Bratton Fleming | 73.61% | 26.39% |
|---|
| 12 | Instow | 73.24% | 26.76% |
|---|
| 13 | Combe Martin | 72.7% | 27.3% |
|---|
| 14 | Chulmleigh | 70.62% | 29.38% |
|---|
| 15 | Lynton & Lynmouth | 70.24% | 29.76% |
|---|
| 16 | Ilfracombe West | 69.67% | 30.33% |
|---|
| 17 | Bickington | 69.43% | 30.57% |
|---|
| 18 | North Molton | 65.49% | 34.51% |
|---|
| 19 | Newport (North Devon) | 65.22% | 34.78% |
|---|
| 20 | South Molton | 63.6% | 36.4% |
|---|
| 21 | Barnstaple with Pilton | 62.96% | 37.04% |
|---|
| 22 | Barnstaple with Westacott | 54.22% | 45.78% |
|---|
| 23 | Ilfracombe East | 52.14% | 47.86% |
|---|
| 24 | Heanton Punchardon | 49.95% | 50.05% |
|---|
| 25 | Barnstaple Central | 33.27% | 66.73% |
|---|
Barnstaple is ranked 25 out of 25 wards in North Devon for the percentage of home owners.Barnstaple Age Distribution Statistics
We have taken the raw data from the 2021 Census and the calculated the proportion of age groups in Barnstaple Central.| Age Band | Proportion |
|---|
| 4 & under |  |
| 5 - 9 years | |
| 10 - 15 years | |
| 16 - 19 years | |
| 20 - 24 years | |
| 25 - 34 years | |
| 35 - 49 years | |
| 50 - 64 years | |
| 65 - 74 years | |
| 75 - 84 years | |
| 85 years & over | |
Barnstaple & North Devon Immigration Statistics
We have analysed the Census 2021 raw data on country of birth and compiled immigration statistics as percentages of the population. All percentages have been rounded to two decimal places. Below are the figures for Barnstaple in the North Devon local area district.
| Area | Born in UK | Born outside UK |
|---|
| Barnstaple Central | 84.5% | 15.5% |
|---|
| North Devon | 94.51% | 5.49% |
|---|
| South West | 89.8% | 10.2% |
|---|
| England | 82.65% | 17.35% |
|---|
Barnstaple compared to other wards in North Devon
| # | Ward | Born in UK | Born outside UK |
|---|
| 1 | Barnstaple Central | 84.5% | 15.5% |
|---|
| 2 | Heanton Punchardon | 89.35% | 10.65% |
|---|
| 3 | Barnstaple with Pilton | 91.96% | 8.04% |
|---|
| 4 | Lynton & Lynmouth | 93.48% | 6.52% |
|---|
| 5 | Mortehoe | 93.86% | 6.14% |
|---|
| 6 | Newport | 93.9% | 6.1% |
|---|
| 7 | Barnstaple with Westacott | 94.07% | 5.93% |
|---|
| 8 | Roundswell | 94.32% | 5.68% |
|---|
| 9 | North Molton | 94.45% | 5.55% |
|---|
| 10 | Braunton West & Georgeham | 94.8% | 5.2% |
|---|
| 11 | Braunton East | 95% | 5% |
|---|
| 12 | South Molton | 95.07% | 4.93% |
|---|
| 13 | Chulmleigh | 95.2% | 4.8% |
|---|
| 14 | Ilfracombe East | 95.21% | 4.79% |
|---|
| 15 | Bickington | 95.21% | 4.79% |
|---|
| 16 | Marwood | 95.27% | 4.73% |
|---|
| 17 | Bratton Fleming | 95.55% | 4.45% |
|---|
| 18 | Chittlehampton | 95.89% | 4.11% |
|---|
| 19 | Instow | 96.21% | 3.79% |
|---|
| 20 | Combe Martin | 96.33% | 3.67% |
|---|
| 21 | Ilfracombe West | 96.39% | 3.61% |
|---|
| 22 | Bishop's Nympton | 96.52% | 3.48% |
|---|
| 23 | Fremington | 96.52% | 3.48% |
|---|
| 24 | Landkey | 96.55% | 3.45% |
|---|
| 25 | Witheridge | 96.91% | 3.09% |
|---|
';Barnstaple is ranked 1 out of 25 wards in North Devon for the number of residents born outside of the UK.Barnstaple Health Statistics
Barnstaple Central has a significantly lower proportion of residents (>5%) describing their health as very good than the national average for England.| Area | VG | G | F | B | VB |
|---|
| Barnstaple Central | 39.3% | 35.35% | 17.05% | 6.37% | 1.93% |
| North Devon | 46.78% | 33.62% | 13.9% | 4.41% | 1.28% |
| South West | 47.6% | 34.21% | 13.12% | 3.95% | 1.12% |
| England | 48.49% | 33.71% | 12.65% | 3.98% | 1.17% |
VG = Very Good, G = Good, F = Fair, B = Bad & VB = Very Bad
How has the health of residents in North Devon changed since 2011?
North Devon residents who describe their health as either good or very good has increased by 0.17% between the 2011 and 2021 census.| Year | VG | G | F | B | VB |
|---|
| 2011 | 46.38% | 33.85% | 14.16% | 4.34% | 1.27% |
| 2021 | 46.78% | 33.62% | 13.9% | 4.41% | 1.28% |
VG = Very Good, G = Good, F = Fair, B = Bad & VB = Very Bad
Barnstaple Unemployment Statistics
Since the introduction of Universal Credit, The Department for Work & Pensions have not issued any statistics (in our view) that can be used to ascertain the levels of unemployment or under employment in the UK, just meaningless geographic counts. However, the Office of National Statistics does publish claimant counts of people receiving out of work benefits, be that legacy Jobseeker’s Allowance or Universal Credit as a proportion of people over 16. These figures are usually updated once a month and are for Local Authority Districts and Unitary Authority Districts. So below are the figures of North Devon.| Area | Unemployed | Yearly Change |
|---|
| North Devon | 2.7% | -0.3% |
| South West | 2.5% | -0.4% |
| England | 3.8% | -0.3% |
| UK | 3.7% | -0.3% |
| Economic Status | Proportion |
|---|
| In Employment | 53.01% |
| In Part-Time Work | 29.13% |
| Unemployed | 7.17% |
What is the population of Barnstaple and North Devon?
The table below contains the populations figures for each ward in North Devon including Barnstaple. These population ONS figures are estimated are dated Mid 2020.
| Ward | Population |
|---|
| Barnstaple Central | 2772 |
| Barnstaple with Pilton | 8069 |
| Barnstaple with Westacott | 7590 |
| Bickington | 6952 |
| Bishop's Nympton | 2249 |
| Bratton Fleming | 2391 |
| Braunton East | 4893 |
| Braunton West & Georgeham | 4729 |
| Chittlehampton | 2294 |
| Chulmleigh | 2105 |
| Combe Martin | 2619 |
| Fremington | 5094 |
| Heanton Punchardon | 3045 |
| Ilfracombe East | 6912 |
| Ilfracombe West | 4406 |
| Instow | 2635 |
| Landkey | 4469 |
| Lynton & Lynmouth | 2039 |
| Marwood | 2388 |
| Mortehoe | 2194 |
| Newport | 5054 |
| North Molton | 2302 |
| Roundswell | 2748 |
| South Molton | 5892 |
| Witheridge | 2329 |
| North Devon Total | 98170 |
Last updated: 20/02/2024, Additional Sources: Office for National Statistics & Department for Work & Pensions.
