Derbyshire is in the centre of England and has a population of around 822,377. The population of Derbyshire is forecast to increase by 15% by 2047.
Around 10 to 12 million people live within easy access of Derbyshire.
Derbyshire is a place of geographical and social contrasts. It has a number of heavily built-up areas and large, sparsely populated rural areas.
Chesterfield
Chesterfield is our largest town and is home to 78,301people. Seven other main towns have populations of over 20,000.
A large part of the north and west of the county Thirty-three per cent of our population live in rural areas.
Chesterfield and the other towns have their roots in traditional industries with quarrying in the north west, former coal mining in the north east and engineering and textile industries scattered across the county.
Demographic
Our small (6%) ethnic minority population (England 20%) is mainly concentrated in the districts of South Derbyshire, Erewash, and Chesterfield. The largest ethnic group (Asian, or Asian British) which makes up (3%) of the total population of Derbyshire.
Derbyshire has an increasing elderly population, with our pensioners currently making up 19% of the total (English average 16%).
Unemployment in Derbyshire is well below the national average. But there are hotspots in parts of Chesterfield and Erewash, where the rate is nearly twice the national average.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing continues to shape Derbyshire’s identity and economic performance employing more than 45,500 people. The sector covers a wide range of specialisms, from aerospace and transport to advanced materials, food production and engineering for example, advanced transport sector (Toyota) and engineering and chemicals (Vaillant and Lubrizol). Construction is the largest sector by number of businesses, employing more than 15 per cent across the county. Alongside this, tourism is one of Derbyshire county’s most distinctive strengths attracting millions of visitors each year.
Deprived areas
There are 28 small areas in Derbyshire which rank amongst the 10% most deprived areas in England. The average weekly pay is much lower for workers in Derbyshire than England (£657: £732).
The M1 motorway and railway links provide relatively good north to south communications in the east of the county. But access is more difficult in the isolated rural areas, compounded by 25% of the county being over 300m above sea level.