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Summary

Calderdale is an area of many contrasts. The Borough was created in 1974, bringing together the towns of Brighouse, Elland, Halifax, Hebden Bridge, Sowerby Bridge and Todmorden, as well as the surrounding villages of the South Pennine uplands. The distinct identities of these diverse communities remain strong today. In 2004 the internal boundaries were altered to give 17 electoral wards. There are also town councils covering Hebden Bridge / Mytholmroyd (Hebden Royd) and Todmorden; and parish councils for Blackshaw, Erringden, Heptonstall, Ripponden and Wadsworth.

Population

Calderdale Council is the sixth largest of the 36 metropolitan authorities in terms of land area, yet the seventh smallest in terms of population. The population is 202,700 (2010 Mid-year Estimate). Almost half the residents live in Halifax. The latest government population projections (2008) suggest that if the trends of the last 5 years continue, numbers will rise by 8,000 over the next five years. The older population (65+) is projected to grow quite rapidly. There will be a sharp growth in numbers aged 65-74, whilst numbers in the 75-84 age-group will increase slightly and the 85+ group continues to grow steadily at about 2% per annum. The under 15’s are projected to increase by 4% over the next 5 years.

The non-white population was 10% of the total in 2009, below the national average of 12%. The age profile is young, with 1 in 3 being under 16 years old (compared to 1 in 5 of the white population). Most non-white residents are of Pakistani / Kashmiri origin, living mainly in one area of Halifax, where they comprise more than half of the population, with smaller numbers living in Elland and Todmorden.

Economy

The district’s traditional economic base was founded on textiles, engineering and other manufacturing industries. In recent years, service industries have overtaken manufacturing in terms of number of employees. Employment in the financial services has increased significantly (Lloyds, who have taken over the Halifax Bank, HBOS, is the single biggest private sector employer). However, manufacturing continues to account for 17% of local employment, far above West Yorkshire and national levels.

Whilst more men than women are in work, increasing numbers of both men and women work part time. Average pay is below national hourly rates but above West Yorkshire averages.  Increasingly, the workforce is more mobile, with 30% of residents working outside the district and 30% of jobs in Calderdale being filled by people from other areas.

The overall International Labour Organisation (ILO) unemployment rate is 9.1%, above both the regional average (8.8%) and the United Kingdom (7.9%), and a considerable rise since last year.  In Calderdale, one in 9 people who are out of work have been without jobs for longer than 12 months and just under one third are under 25 years old. From 2001 Census data, 17% of those in the minority ethnic population seeking work were unemployed, compared to 5% in the white population.

Social profile

The social characteristics of the district are also varied. Some rural and semi-rural areas that are close to good communications are growing as a result of new housing developments, with people commuting typically to Leeds or Manchester for employment. In contrast, some residents of remote and scattered rural settlements lack access to the facilities available in the larger towns of the district.

Calderdale's diverse communities contain contrasts of affluence and poverty. The various Indices of Deprivation (2010) show that Calderdale ranks about 110^th out of 326 districts in England and is the most prosperous West Yorkshire district. This is little changed since 2007, and there are still significant gaps between different areas.

Areas with the highest levels of multiple deprivation are within the Halifax wards of Park, Ovenden, Illingworth & Mixenden and Town. Significant pockets of deprivation are also found in other wards. For those affected, particularly outside Halifax, difficulties with transport and access compound other aspects of social exclusion.

Within the urban areas in particular, characteristics associated with low incomes and poverty are present. There is a high proportion of households with no car relative to national figures. Lone parents comprise a relatively high proportion of households with children under 16 years old. In April 2011, nearly one in four households received Council Tax Benefit. In Park ward it was 46%, in Ovenden ward 37%, and in two other wards the figure was around 30%. Altogether, 33% of all people claiming benefits administered by the Council are pensioners.

By contrast, in other parts of the urban areas, and in the rural areas, there are signs of increasing prosperity. In the seven most prosperous wards, more than one in five households in 2011 have annual incomes above £50,000, compared to the Calderdale average (median) of £27,400.

Housing

The housing stock reflects the era of rapid development in the late 19^th century with 48% of private sector housing built before 1919. It is predominantly owner occupied and illustrates the areas' social diversity, from the barn and mill conversions that house more affluent residents, to the rows of cramped terraces that need considerable investment and repair. The district has a relatively low proportion of detached or semi-detached houses and flats and a far higher proportion of terraced housing. Social housing accounts for 16% of the district’s housing stock. Average household size, in common with other areas, is decreasing.

Following the national fall in house prices, locally the rise over the past year has been 7%, although recent figures indicate this trend is changing. The average price of a house or flat is now around £99,500, although there are wide variations between types of property and in different parts of the district. An annual average of 930 new or converted properties have been completed over the past five years, and there are 3,240 further dwellings with planning permission, a significant fall from the previous year.

Attractions

Calderdale boasts a tremendous architectural heritage, including the unique 18^th Century Piece Hall and over 4,000 listed buildings, twice the per capita level for West Yorkshire. There is a range of cultural, recreational and entertainment facilities in different parts of the district. Across the district there are many galleries, seven museums, two cinemas and some outstanding visitor attractions including the nationally-renowned children's museum, Eureka. The surrounding Pennine moorland provides spectacular walking country. In 2005, there were over 3 million day visits to Calderdale, generating an estimated expenditure of £96.6 million.

Sources of further information

Calderdale Fact Sheets: Outline statistics on Population, Households, Employment, Unemployment, and Deprivation - Latest statistics.

Calderdale Profile
Summary of population, economic and social statistics, plus recent economic developments and opportunities. Produced in October.

Calderdale Ward Profiles
Outline statistics on the 17 wards created in 2004, with a map showing the boundaries and area covered.

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