West Lindsey facts and figures

The district of West Lindsey covers the area immediately north of Lincoln and forms the north west gateway to Lincolnshire. Covering an area of 115,733 hectares (447 square miles, 1,158 square kilometres). The district is predominantly rural and provides an attractive setting for its three market towns of Caistor, Gainsborough and Market Rasen. The district is the 17th most sparsely populated area in England with a population density of 77 people per square kilometre. (ONS 2011 census).

Over the last 10 years, West Lindsey experienced 4.3% growth in population and it is anticipated that by 2030, the population will increase by 30% which is the highest level of growth in the county and compares with a regional level of 20% and nationally 15%.

The 2011 census showed 89,250 people in the district, split 49% male and 51% female. This is similar to the national split.

21% of the population in the census were of retirement age compared with 19% in the rest of the country. It is envisaged that this will rise to 32% by 2037. This is also reflected in a lower than average proportion (75%) of people who are economically active.

The proportion of people in the district who were born outside England stands at 3.70% and is the lowest of the Lincolnshire districts.

Unemployment is relatively low and falling, across the district as a whole, but this is not even across the area, with the Gainsborough wards showing a higher rate that the rest of the district.

The highest proportion of the workforce is in service related industries, public administration, education and the health service.

Although the level of deprivation across the district is low, there are wards in Gainsborough that are among the most deprived in the country, when compared with, for example, Nettleham and Welton which are amongst the least deprived in the country.