Poverty and deprivation statistics

How deprived is Oxford?

The Index of Multiple Deprivation 2010 ranks Oxford 131st out of 354, placing it in the top half most deprived local authority areas in England.  Of 85 areas in Oxford, 12 are among the 20% most deprived areas in England, with one area in Northfield Brook ward among the 10% most deprived.  This is illustrated on the map below:

 The Indices of Deprivation 2010 (174kB PDF) 

These areas, which are in the Leys, Littlemore, Rose Hill and Barton areas of the city, experience multiple levels of deprivation - low skills, low incomes and high levels of crime.  A detailed report prepared by Oxford Safer Communities Partnership is available here:

 The Indices of Deprivation 2010 - detailed report (2.1MB PDF)

How many people are unemployed?

In recent months there has been a sharp increase in the number of Oxford residents claiming unemployment benefit (Jobseeker's Allowance), due to the recession.  For more information on this and the current estimate of the unemployment rate, see our economic statistics.

How many people are living on low incomes?

In August 2010 Oxford had over 10,500 working age residents claiming benefits - the highest percentage in the county.  Latest figures on the number of benefit claimants

There is a high level of child poverty - 23% of Oxford's under-16 year-olds were living in low-income households in 2008.

 Children living in poverty (141kB PDF)

What other aspects of deprivation are a problem in Oxford?

Oxford has a significant problem with homelessness - there is a high rate of rough sleeping and households in temporary accommodations.  For more information see our housing statistics page. 

Inequalities in life expectancy can be seen within Oxford. Men and women living in deprived areas have a shorter life expectancy than the rest of the population.  For more information see our health statistics page.

There are geographic pockets with very high rates of people without qualifications, for example 46% of people in Blackbird Leys ward - see below:

 Map of people with no qualifications (345kB PDF) 

Where can I find more information?

Oxfordshire Insight has an Index of Multiple Deprivation dashboard, an interactive way to view and explore the data.

Oxfordshire Data Observatory has published a briefing paper on deprivation in Oxford:

 Deprivation in Oxford briefing paper (158kB PDF)

This regeneration profile and summary of indicators in areas of multiple deprivation were written during the preparation of our draft Regeneration Framework.

 Oxford Regeneration Profile 2009 (2205kB PDF)
 Economic and health trends in areas of multiple deprivation (982kB PDF)

You can view our Super Output Area profile reports.  These summarise the Indices of Deprivation for each of the 85 Super Output Areas in Oxford.

Data sources

• Indices of Deprivation 2007
• Nomis labour market statistics
• 2001 Census
• Department for Work and Pensions
• Department for Communities and Local Government
• Health Profiles, Association of Public Health Observatories

Page last reviewed 14 May 2013