People aged 65 or over
19.1%21 March 2021 · Southend-on-Sea
Show the workings
Published Census 2021 count; percentage uses the matching population denominator
All usual residents
34,561 out of 180,686.
Source and method →Southend-on-Sea · England
Community life
Southend-on-Sea council area. Every figure carries its own date.
A place is more than its average house price. The census shows who lives here and some of the pressures households face.
People reporting bad or very bad health
5.6%21 March 2021 · Southend-on-Sea
Show the workings
Published Census 2021 count; percentage uses the matching population denominator
All usual residents; self-reported, not age-standardised
10,071 out of 180,686.
Source and method →Households facing at least one measured disadvantage
54.4%21 March 2021 · Southend-on-Sea
The census checks education, employment, health and housing. This is not a measure of income or poverty.
Show the workings
Published Census 2021 count; percentage uses the matching population denominator
All households
42,633 out of 78,344.
Source and method →Households facing two or more measured disadvantages
19.9%21 March 2021 · Southend-on-Sea
The census checks education, employment, health and housing. This is not a measure of income or poverty.
Show the workings
Published Census 2021 count; percentage uses the matching population denominator
All households
15,575 out of 78,344.
Source and method →People aged 16+ with no qualifications
19.7%21 March 2021 · Southend-on-Sea
Show the workings
Published Census 2021 count; percentage uses the matching population denominator
Residents aged 16 and over
28,823 out of 146,410.
Source and method →People aged 16+ with a degree or equivalent
27.2%21 March 2021 · Southend-on-Sea
Show the workings
Published Census 2021 count; percentage uses the matching population denominator
Residents aged 16 and over
39,832 out of 146,410.
Source and method →Different needs within the area
People reporting bad or very bad health
2.7% to 7.7%
People reporting bad or very bad health ranged from 2.7% in West Leigh to 7.7% in Kursaal — a gap of 5 percentage points.
21 March 2021 · 17 of 17 current wards with comparable figures.
Residents described their own health. Differences in age matter, so this is a prompt to investigate needs, not a score for local health services.
See each ward and the workings
These are separate ward percentages, not an average of them. Boundaries: May 2026. Missing or differently defined figures are excluded from this range and stay visible on the ward pages.
| Ward | Share | Count | Population or households covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Leigh | 2.7% | 255 | 9,368 |
| Leigh | 3.6% | 352 | 9,891 |
| Thorpe | 4.5% | 408 | 9,116 |
| Westborough | 4.8% | 541 | 11,284 |
| Eastwood Park | 4.9% | 465 | 9,451 |
| West Shoebury | 5.2% | 527 | 10,119 |
| Prittlewell | 5.2% | 561 | 10,688 |
| Chalkwell | 5.8% | 572 | 9,926 |
| Belfairs | 5.8% | 551 | 9,442 |
| St. Luke's | 5.9% | 660 | 11,208 |
| Milton | 5.9% | 693 | 11,692 |
| St Laurence | 5.9% | 629 | 10,581 |
| Blenheim Park | 6.3% | 688 | 10,994 |
| Victoria | 6.3% | 824 | 13,008 |
| Shoeburyness | 6.4% | 753 | 11,676 |
| Southchurch | 6.5% | 661 | 10,148 |
| Kursaal | 7.7% | 931 | 12,093 |
People aged 65 or over
10.4% to 29.3%
People aged 65 or over ranged from 10.4% in Westborough to 29.3% in Thorpe — a gap of 18.9 percentage points.
21 March 2021 · 17 of 17 current wards with comparable figures.
Age helps locate demand for accessible homes, transport and support. Being older does not itself mean someone needs care.
See each ward and the workings
These are separate ward percentages, not an average of them. Boundaries: May 2026. Missing or differently defined figures are excluded from this range and stay visible on the ward pages.
| Ward | Share | Count | Population or households covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westborough | 10.4% | 1,171 | 11,285 |
| Victoria | 11.4% | 1,482 | 13,007 |
| Kursaal | 11.6% | 1,397 | 12,092 |
| St. Luke's | 14.3% | 1,606 | 11,210 |
| Milton | 15.5% | 1,807 | 11,692 |
| Leigh | 17.3% | 1,716 | 9,891 |
| Shoeburyness | 18.5% | 2,156 | 11,676 |
| Blenheim Park | 19.4% | 2,134 | 10,993 |
| Prittlewell | 20.4% | 2,181 | 10,688 |
| West Shoebury | 20.6% | 2,080 | 10,119 |
| St Laurence | 21.4% | 2,261 | 10,580 |
| Chalkwell | 21.8% | 2,165 | 9,923 |
| West Leigh | 21.9% | 2,056 | 9,367 |
| Southchurch | 23.2% | 2,359 | 10,151 |
| Eastwood Park | 27.5% | 2,596 | 9,452 |
| Belfairs | 28.8% | 2,724 | 9,446 |
| Thorpe | 29.3% | 2,670 | 9,115 |
People aged 16+ with no qualifications
11.6% to 23.6%
People aged 16+ with no qualifications ranged from 11.6% in Leigh to 23.6% in Belfairs — a gap of 12 percentage points.
21 March 2021 · 17 of 17 current wards with comparable figures.
Formal qualifications are only one part of someone's skills. Training decisions also need current vacancies, employment and residents' experience.
See each ward and the workings
These are separate ward percentages, not an average of them. Boundaries: May 2026. Missing or differently defined figures are excluded from this range and stay visible on the ward pages.
| Ward | Share | Count | Population or households covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leigh | 11.6% | 946 | 8,153 |
| West Leigh | 11.6% | 876 | 7,538 |
| Westborough | 16.6% | 1,456 | 8,769 |
| Thorpe | 16.9% | 1,297 | 7,697 |
| Chalkwell | 18.2% | 1,512 | 8,314 |
| Milton | 18.5% | 1,819 | 9,819 |
| Prittlewell | 18.6% | 1,598 | 8,586 |
| West Shoebury | 20.3% | 1,642 | 8,089 |
| Blenheim Park | 20.9% | 1,838 | 8,777 |
| St. Luke's | 21.5% | 1,905 | 8,866 |
| Victoria | 21.6% | 2,216 | 10,259 |
| Eastwood Park | 22.1% | 1,752 | 7,935 |
| Southchurch | 22.6% | 1,845 | 8,147 |
| Kursaal | 22.7% | 2,162 | 9,543 |
| Shoeburyness | 22.7% | 2,144 | 9,444 |
| St Laurence | 22.7% | 1,946 | 8,566 |
| Belfairs | 23.6% | 1,870 | 7,913 |
Households facing two or more measured disadvantages
9% to 28.5%
Households facing two or more measured disadvantages ranged from 9% in West Leigh to 28.5% in Kursaal — a gap of 19.5 percentage points.
21 March 2021 · 17 of 17 current wards with comparable figures.
These households met at least two census conditions covering education, employment, health and housing. This is not an income or poverty measure.
See each ward and the workings
These are separate ward percentages, not an average of them. Boundaries: May 2026. Missing or differently defined figures are excluded from this range and stay visible on the ward pages.
| Ward | Share | Count | Population or households covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Leigh | 9% | 348 | 3,856 |
| Leigh | 10.6% | 499 | 4,708 |
| Thorpe | 13.4% | 530 | 3,954 |
| Eastwood Park | 15.5% | 631 | 4,058 |
| Chalkwell | 15.9% | 709 | 4,472 |
| Belfairs | 19.2% | 805 | 4,201 |
| Westborough | 19.4% | 898 | 4,628 |
| Prittlewell | 19.6% | 870 | 4,442 |
| West Shoebury | 19.9% | 781 | 3,925 |
| Blenheim Park | 20.1% | 894 | 4,446 |
| St Laurence | 20.8% | 931 | 4,480 |
| Milton | 22.9% | 1,297 | 5,671 |
| St. Luke's | 22.9% | 1,062 | 4,640 |
| Southchurch | 23.2% | 972 | 4,194 |
| Shoeburyness | 24.1% | 1,238 | 5,141 |
| Victoria | 25.5% | 1,525 | 5,974 |
| Kursaal | 28.5% | 1,583 | 5,556 |
Local places and initiatives
Queensway and routes towards Southend seafront
Better Queensway drainage and streets
New underground storage will hold heavy rain while road and public-space changes prepare the area for regeneration.
Flood-tank sections arriving; highway works in progress · evidence dated 2026-07-02
Responsible body: Southend-on-Sea City Council
Latest evidence: The council confirms initial tank sections on site and underpass infilling under way. The planned 750,000-litre system is intended to reduce flood disruption; operational completion is not confirmed.
Next thing to establish: What is the approved cost, including ongoing maintenance?
Progress, funding and source
- Cost
- Not established by the evidence checked.
- Funding
- Not established by the evidence checked.
- Area covered
- Unmapped: a verified current ward boundary or council ward statement is still needed.
No verified ward footprint is assigned.
Giant flood tanks begin arriving as Queensway works hit major milestone →
Source checked 2026-10-17. A plan or announcement is not proof of completion.
Questions for the next progress report
- Which funding is committed, and what remains conditional?
- Which neighbourhoods are covered by an official project plan, and which benefits still need testing?
- What is the next published milestone, and what evidence will show residents benefit?
Verify Queensway’s drainage before claiming flood benefits →
Make room for homes people can afford →
Target support where disadvantages overlap →
How to track delivery →Southend Pier
Southend Pier infrastructure investment
The approved capital budget provides for work on the city’s historic pier. Delivery needs to be checked against the specific repairs and upgrades funded.
Capital investment approved in annual budget · evidence dated 2026-02-27
Responsible body: Southend-on-Sea City Council
Latest evidence: The council confirms approval of the budget and identifies £3.8 million for pier infrastructure. This establishes an allocation, not a completed repair programme.
Next thing to establish: What is the approved cost, including ongoing maintenance?
Progress, funding and source
- Cost
- Not established by the evidence checked.
- Funding
- £3.8 million capital allocation for pier infrastructure in the approved budget.
- Area covered
- Unmapped: a verified current ward boundary or council ward statement is still needed.
No verified ward footprint is assigned.
Southend Budget 2026/27 approved →
Source checked 2026-10-17. A plan or announcement is not proof of completion.
Questions for the next progress report
- Which neighbourhoods are covered by an official project plan, and which benefits still need testing?
- What is the next published milestone, and what evidence will show residents benefit?
Connect local skills to local opportunities →
Target support where disadvantages overlap →
How to track delivery →Balmoral estate, Southend-on-Sea
Balmoral estate heating upgrade
New ground-source heating is planned for council homes on the Balmoral estate. Funding and a contractor are in place, but the checked announcement does not confirm installation.
Funding secured and contractor appointed; works planned for later in 2026 · evidence dated 2026-02-03
Responsible body: Southend-on-Sea City Council
Latest evidence: The February announcement records a £3.47 million government award, matched from the council’s housing account, and Kensa’s appointment. It describes future heating and hot-water improvements. Lower bills are an intended benefit, not measured household savings.
Next thing to establish: What is the approved cost, including ongoing maintenance?
Progress, funding and source
- Cost
- Not established by the evidence checked.
- Funding
- £3.47 million government grant, with matching funding from the council’s housing account, announced in February 2026.
- Area covered
- Unmapped: the named sites or programme area have not been matched to the ward boundaries used by these statistics. No ward-wide effect is inferred.
No verified ward footprint is assigned.
Major upgrade to Balmoral estate council homes will cut energy bills →
Source checked 2026-10-17. A plan or announcement is not proof of completion.
Questions for the next progress report
- Which neighbourhoods are covered by an official project plan, and which benefits still need testing?
- What is the next published milestone, and what evidence will show residents benefit?
Make Balmoral’s new heating work for the households using it →
Make room for homes people can afford →
Target support where disadvantages overlap →
How to track delivery →