People aged 65 or over
18.8%21 March 2021 · Wakefield
Show the workings
Published Census 2021 count; percentage uses the matching population denominator
All usual residents
66,606 out of 353,364.
Source and method →Wakefield · England
Community life
Wakefield 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
6.5%21 March 2021 · Wakefield
Show the workings
Published Census 2021 count; percentage uses the matching population denominator
All usual residents; self-reported, not age-standardised
23,138 out of 353,370.
Source and method →Households facing at least one measured disadvantage
55.3%21 March 2021 · Wakefield
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
84,591 out of 153,076.
Source and method →Households facing two or more measured disadvantages
21.4%21 March 2021 · Wakefield
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
32,794 out of 153,076.
Source and method →People aged 16+ with no qualifications
24.4%21 March 2021 · Wakefield
Show the workings
Published Census 2021 count; percentage uses the matching population denominator
Residents aged 16 and over
70,233 out of 287,539.
Source and method →People aged 16+ with a degree or equivalent
24.3%21 March 2021 · Wakefield
Show the workings
Published Census 2021 count; percentage uses the matching population denominator
Residents aged 16 and over
69,797 out of 287,539.
Source and method →Different needs within the area
People reporting bad or very bad health
4.4% to 9.4%
People reporting bad or very bad health ranged from 4.4% in Stanley & Outwood East to 9.4% in Hemsworth — a gap of 4.9 percentage points.
21 March 2021 · 21 of 21 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stanley & Outwood East | 4.4% | 719 | 16,201 |
| Wakefield Rural | 4.5% | 802 | 17,708 |
| Wrenthorpe & Outwood West | 5.1% | 880 | 17,208 |
| Ossett | 5.3% | 877 | 16,521 |
| Altofts & Whitwood | 5.4% | 956 | 17,860 |
| Wakefield South | 5.7% | 944 | 16,665 |
| Horbury & South Ossett | 5.8% | 880 | 15,204 |
| Ackworth, North Elmsall & Upton | 6% | 1,042 | 17,378 |
| Normanton | 6.1% | 1,064 | 17,361 |
| Pontefract South | 6.5% | 1,113 | 17,066 |
| Wakefield North | 6.6% | 1,154 | 17,555 |
| Wakefield East | 6.7% | 1,054 | 15,680 |
| Pontefract North | 6.7% | 1,185 | 17,615 |
| Wakefield West | 6.9% | 1,164 | 16,762 |
| Crofton, Ryhill & Walton | 7.1% | 1,111 | 15,579 |
| Castleford Central & Glasshoughton | 7.2% | 1,267 | 17,614 |
| Featherstone | 7.6% | 1,344 | 17,733 |
| Knottingley & Ferrybridge | 7.7% | 1,099 | 14,258 |
| South Elmsall & South Kirkby | 8.3% | 1,570 | 18,876 |
| Airedale & Ferry Fryston | 8.7% | 1,442 | 16,669 |
| Hemsworth | 9.4% | 1,492 | 15,922 |
People aged 65 or over
13.6% to 23.2%
People aged 65 or over ranged from 13.6% in Wakefield East to 23.2% in Horbury & South Ossett — a gap of 9.5 percentage points.
21 March 2021 · 21 of 21 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wakefield East | 13.6% | 2,137 | 15,694 |
| Wakefield North | 13.8% | 2,419 | 17,571 |
| Altofts & Whitwood | 15.7% | 2,802 | 17,832 |
| Pontefract North | 16.4% | 2,895 | 17,631 |
| Normanton | 16.9% | 2,926 | 17,355 |
| Airedale & Ferry Fryston | 17.2% | 2,860 | 16,668 |
| Wakefield West | 17.3% | 2,893 | 16,755 |
| South Elmsall & South Kirkby | 18% | 3,398 | 18,878 |
| Castleford Central & Glasshoughton | 18% | 3,167 | 17,591 |
| Stanley & Outwood East | 18.3% | 2,973 | 16,206 |
| Featherstone | 18.7% | 3,309 | 17,734 |
| Knottingley & Ferrybridge | 18.7% | 2,667 | 14,236 |
| Wakefield South | 19.5% | 3,239 | 16,625 |
| Ackworth, North Elmsall & Upton | 20.2% | 3,509 | 17,386 |
| Hemsworth | 20.3% | 3,236 | 15,948 |
| Wrenthorpe & Outwood West | 20.5% | 3,533 | 17,201 |
| Ossett | 21.9% | 3,615 | 16,538 |
| Wakefield Rural | 22.8% | 4,035 | 17,716 |
| Pontefract South | 22.9% | 3,915 | 17,079 |
| Crofton, Ryhill & Walton | 23.1% | 3,599 | 15,593 |
| Horbury & South Ossett | 23.2% | 3,525 | 15,221 |
People aged 16+ with no qualifications
17.8% to 32.3%
People aged 16+ with no qualifications ranged from 17.8% in Stanley & Outwood East to 32.3% in Airedale & Ferry Fryston — a gap of 14.5 percentage points.
21 March 2021 · 21 of 21 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stanley & Outwood East | 17.8% | 2,370 | 13,332 |
| Wakefield Rural | 18% | 2,663 | 14,795 |
| Wrenthorpe & Outwood West | 18.7% | 2,645 | 14,138 |
| Horbury & South Ossett | 19.4% | 2,448 | 12,588 |
| Ossett | 20.4% | 2,752 | 13,519 |
| Altofts & Whitwood | 21.1% | 3,039 | 14,399 |
| Wakefield South | 21.7% | 2,915 | 13,417 |
| Ackworth, North Elmsall & Upton | 21.8% | 3,104 | 14,241 |
| Crofton, Ryhill & Walton | 22.4% | 2,880 | 12,867 |
| Pontefract South | 23% | 3,203 | 13,937 |
| Pontefract North | 23.3% | 3,334 | 14,335 |
| Wakefield North | 24.2% | 3,479 | 14,371 |
| Normanton | 26.4% | 3,737 | 14,162 |
| Castleford Central & Glasshoughton | 27.1% | 4,005 | 14,794 |
| Wakefield West | 27.2% | 3,589 | 13,214 |
| Wakefield East | 28.1% | 3,486 | 12,405 |
| Featherstone | 28.5% | 4,112 | 14,423 |
| Hemsworth | 30.7% | 3,970 | 12,928 |
| South Elmsall & South Kirkby | 31% | 4,692 | 15,128 |
| Knottingley & Ferrybridge | 31.3% | 3,585 | 11,446 |
| Airedale & Ferry Fryston | 32.3% | 4,226 | 13,103 |
Households facing two or more measured disadvantages
13.7% to 29.4%
Households facing two or more measured disadvantages ranged from 13.7% in Wakefield Rural to 29.4% in Airedale & Ferry Fryston — a gap of 15.7 percentage points.
21 March 2021 · 21 of 21 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wakefield Rural | 13.7% | 1,048 | 7,670 |
| Stanley & Outwood East | 14.4% | 1,010 | 7,021 |
| Wrenthorpe & Outwood West | 15.8% | 1,153 | 7,294 |
| Ossett | 16.9% | 1,255 | 7,444 |
| Altofts & Whitwood | 17.1% | 1,299 | 7,604 |
| Horbury & South Ossett | 17.5% | 1,198 | 6,851 |
| Ackworth, North Elmsall & Upton | 18.9% | 1,414 | 7,496 |
| Wakefield South | 20.1% | 1,427 | 7,096 |
| Crofton, Ryhill & Walton | 20.2% | 1,353 | 6,713 |
| Pontefract North | 20.9% | 1,631 | 7,793 |
| Pontefract South | 21.3% | 1,573 | 7,391 |
| Normanton | 21.9% | 1,653 | 7,545 |
| Wakefield North | 22.8% | 1,713 | 7,521 |
| Castleford Central & Glasshoughton | 23% | 1,889 | 8,224 |
| Featherstone | 24.7% | 1,913 | 7,757 |
| Wakefield East | 25.5% | 1,650 | 6,466 |
| Knottingley & Ferrybridge | 25.6% | 1,623 | 6,334 |
| Wakefield West | 25.7% | 1,807 | 7,042 |
| South Elmsall & South Kirkby | 26.9% | 2,149 | 7,996 |
| Hemsworth | 28.8% | 1,998 | 6,938 |
| Airedale & Ferry Fryston | 29.4% | 2,015 | 6,857 |
Local places and initiatives
The Ridings and surrounding Wakefield city centre
Cathedral Quarter and The Ridings
The council has bought the shopping centre as a first step towards new homes, leisure and public space.
Acquisition complete; redevelopment planning continues · evidence dated 2026-05-01
Responsible body: Wakefield Council
Latest evidence: The council records its first day of ownership on 1 May 2026. Purchase is an enabling step: this source does not prove demolition, new homes or redevelopment are complete.
Next thing to establish: What is the approved cost, including ongoing maintenance?
Progress, funding and source
- Cost
- Not established by the evidence checked.
- Funding
- Acquisition supported by a Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government grant earmarked for this purpose.
- Area covered
- No official project-to-ward mapping has been verified; no ward allocation is inferred from a city or street name.
No verified ward footprint is assigned.
Wakefield Council ownership of The Ridings begins →
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?
Build on Wakefield Exchange without treating the Ridings purchase as regeneration delivered →
Make room for homes people can afford →
Connect local skills to local opportunities →
Target support where disadvantages overlap →
How to track delivery →Wakefield city centre, next to the bus station
Wakefield Exchange
The former market hall has become a cultural and creative hub with events, workspace and food businesses.
Officially opened February 2025 · evidence dated 2025-11-10
Responsible body: Wakefield Council
Latest evidence: The council project page confirms opening in February 2025 and describes its uses. Continuing business survival, visitor numbers and local employment effects require separate evidence.
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
- No official project-to-ward mapping has been verified; no ward allocation is inferred from a city or street name.
No verified ward footprint is assigned.
Wakefield Council invites creative and digital businesses to join its vibrant new hub →
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?
Build on Wakefield Exchange without treating the Ridings purchase as regeneration delivered →
Connect local skills to local opportunities →
Target support where disadvantages overlap →
How to track delivery →Agbrigg, Wakefield
Better Homes Agbrigg: improving private rented housing
The council’s housing-plan review describes proactive work with private rented homes in Agbrigg, alongside its response to complaints elsewhere in the district.
Results included in the review of the 2023–2026 housing plan · source does not state a status date
Responsible body: Wakefield Council
Latest evidence: The council reports 406 private rented properties supported and 514 hazards removed through Better Homes Agbrigg during the reviewed plan, with larger lifetime totals also shown. These are properties and hazards, not a count of different residents or a measure of all poor housing in Agbrigg.
Next thing to establish: What dated decision or progress report confirms the current stage?
Progress, funding and source
- Cost
- Not established by the evidence checked.
- Funding
- Not established by the evidence checked.
- Area covered
- No verified current ward footprint is assigned. The named location or council-wide remit does not establish benefits in every ward.
No verified ward footprint is assigned.
Better Homes Agbrigg: improving private rented housing →
Source checked 2026-10-17. A plan or announcement is not proof of completion.
Questions for the next progress report
- What is the approved cost, including ongoing maintenance?
- 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?
Keep unsafe rented homes from falling back into disrepair →
Make room for homes people can afford →
Plan homes and care around an older population →
Bring support closer to people in poor health →
Target support where disadvantages overlap →
How to track delivery →