About Derbyshire

A few facts and figures about Derbyshire that helped inform the Council Plan.

Place

There is a rich, diverse heritage with spectacular landscapes such as the Peak District National Park and other unique attractions such as the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site.
Derbyshire is a largely rural county with many sparsely populated areas alongside larger built-up urban conurbations.
Derbyshire is centrally located in the UK with strong links to the nearby cities of Derby, Nottingham, Leicester, Manchester, and Sheffield.
Our 28 market towns play a significant role in the local economy.
The county's economy is worth £18.5 billion.
Derbyshire is home to 30,500 businesses, the majority (88%) of which are micro businesses employing 0 to 9 employees.
296,500 people are employed by a Derbyshire business, with the largest sector being manufacturing which employs over 49,500 people.
There are 354,200 households in Derbyshire.
36.1% of houses are in the lowest Council Tax band (Band A), compared to 23.8% of properties nationally.
The average house price in Derbyshire stands at £233,090, 25% below the England average of £309,570.

The county has a total population of 811,400 people.
Derbyshire has an older age profile with people aged 65 and over representing 23% of the county’s population, higher than the England average of 19%.
19% of the county’s population is aged 18 and under compared to 21% for England.
Derbyshire’s population is expected to increase by 13% by 2043 - across the county population growth varies from just 5% projected in Derbyshire Dales to 30% in South Derbyshire.
Derbyshire has an increasingly ageing population with the 85+ population set to double by 2043.
20.1% of the county’s population are classified as disabled, higher than the England average of 17.3%.
The county’s black and minority ethnic population has more than doubled over the ten last years, now representing 6% (50,200) of the county’s population.
The healthy life expectancy for both males and females living in Derbyshire is just below the national average. However, across the county healthy life expectancy varies considerably between the least and most deprived areas.
The average weekly wage of a Derbyshire resident is £654, this is 4% below the England average of £683.
65% of working age people are qualified to RQF level 3 and above in Derbyshire. While this is just below the England average (67%) this varies considerably across the county.