Housing, crime and the environment

Ratio of median house price to median gross annual residence-based earnings

Housing is a fundamental part of people’s lives and can impact both physical health and wellbeing. Assessing the ratio of house prices to earnings provides a useful indicator of housing affordability. A lower number indicates better affordability.

The house price-earnings ratio (along with overall house prices) peaked in 2021, following the COVID-19 pandemic. Whilst there has been a subsequent reduction, the house-price-earnings ratio (based on median house prices and median gross annual earnings) in Wiltshire is similar to that across the South West. yet consistently higher than England.

In Wiltshire in 2024, it is estimated that full-time employees could typically expect to spend around 8.5 times their annual earnings on purchasing a home. This is similar to the South West (8.4) and higher than England (7.7).

House prices and annual earnings have historically grown disproportionately. However, whilst median house prices in Wiltshire saw a reduction in 2024 compared to the previous year, (the first decrease in the past five years), median annual earnings across the county increased by 4%.

Definition: Affordability ratios are determined by dividing median house prices by median gross annual earnings. The earnings data refers to gross full-time individual income, based on the location where the person resides. A higher ratio suggests that, on average, it is more difficult for residents to afford buying a home in their local authority area. In contrast, a lower ratio indicates greater affordability. It should be noted, however, that many other factors can influence housing affordability.

Data source and time period: Office for National Statistics (ONS), House price to residence-based earnings ratio, 2020-2024.

The house price-earnings ratio (explored above) does, however, highlight that the gap between earnings and house prices is still higher in Wiltshire compared with England. This suggests that housing is less affordable in the county when compared with England as a whole.

Definition: Median house price: This is based on the number and prices of all residential properties sold and registered in a given year. It uses open data from the Land Registry, which offers detailed administrative records of property transactions.

Median gross annual residence-based earnings: Earnings data are sourced from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), published by the ONS. This survey provides detailed information on the levels, distribution and composition of earnings and working hours for employees across the UK. Affordability ratios are calculated using earnings data based on the following criteria:

• Full-time earnings
• Annual earnings where available, or annualised weekly earnings otherwise
• Earnings based on the place of residence.

Data source and time period: Office for National Statistics (ONS), House price to residence-based earnings ratio, 2020-2024.

Households by tenure

67% of houses in Wiltshire are owned (either outright or with a mortgage) according to data from the 2021 Census. This is higher than England (62%) and broadly in line with the South West (66%). Whilst living in owner-occupied housing has a number of benefits, it can also pose a number of financial challenges in the current economic climate. The latest (2023/24) annual English Housing Survey (carried out by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, MHCLG), indicates that nationally, average weekly mortgage costs are £47 higher when compared with 2018/19.

In the 2021 Census, 17% of households in Wiltshire were privately rented which is lower than proportions in both the South West (20%) and England (20%). The private rented sector has some of the worst housing conditions and it is also comparably more volatile and less affordable. Nationally, average weekly private rental costs were £36 higher in 2023/24 when compared with 2018/19. Private renters also recorded the highest annual proportional increase in terms of reported difficulties with affording housing costs in the 2023/24 English Housing Survey.

This same survey also highlights that almost 40% of households in England are currently home to persons with long term illnesses or disabilities. This proportion has risen slightly, to 37% in 2023/24, compared with 34% in 2019/20.

Definition: Percentage breakdown of households in Wiltshire, the South West and England, by tenure.

Data source and time period: Office for National Statistics (ONS), Households by tenure (TS054), Census 2021, March 2021.

Household (bedroom) occupancy rating

This metric looks at whether a household is overcrowded, ideally occupied or under-occupied, based on bedroom occupancy. This is calculated by comparing the number of bedrooms the household requires to the number of available bedrooms. The occupancy ratings are categorised as follows:

• Occupancy rating of +1 or more: A household has more bedrooms than required (under-occupied)
• Occupancy rating of 0: A household has an appropriate number of bedrooms (ideally occupied)
• Occupancy rating of -1 or less: A household has fewer bedrooms than is required (overcrowded)

As well as posing health and safety risks, overcrowding reduces privacy, places a strain on relationships and limits the space for children to study or play. In the 2021 Census, just under 4,000 households in Wiltshire were overcrowded based on the definitions outlined above, with fewer bedrooms than are needed for the size and composition of the household. This equates to approximately 2% of all households in the county, broadly in line with levels in the South West (2%) and lower than England (4%).

Definition: Percentage of households by bedroom occupancy rating. This dataset looks at whether a household is overcrowded, ideally occupied or under-occupied, based on bedroom occupancy. This is calculated by comparing the number of bedrooms the household requires to the number of available bedrooms.

Data source and time period: Office for National Statistics (ONS), Occupancy rating for bedrooms (TS052), Census 2021, March 2021.

Proportion of households estimated to be fuel poor

Closely linked with deprivation, fuel poverty occurs when a household cannot afford to adequately heat their home. In England, fuel poverty is measured using the Low Income Low Energy Efficiency (LILEE) methodology which takes into account household income as well as energy costs and efficiency.

A home that is insufficiently heated can increase the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and negatively impact mental health. Fuel poverty serves to exacerbate health inequalities and disproportionately affects children, older people and those with existing health issues.

Between 2019 - 2022, the proportion of households considered fuel poor across England remained stable. Levels in Wiltshire and South West meanwhile, saw a small but steady rise across the same frame. In 2023, 9.5% of households in Wiltshire were estimated be experiencing fuel poverty. This equates to almost 22,000 homes in the county and is slightly lower than estimates for the South West (10.2%) and England (11.4%).

In this same year, levels of fuel poverty modestly decreased locally, regionally and nationally. Whilst the reasons for this are not wholly clear, some of it may be due to improved data collection via the English Housing Survey (a key data source for the fuel poverty measure), following the pandemic.

Definition: The percentage of households that experience fuel poverty based on the 'low income, low energy efficiency' (LILEE) method, as a percentage of all households.

A key data source for the fuel poverty statistics is the English Housing Survey. COVID-19 meant that data collection for this survey in 2020/21 and 2021/22 was conducted via phone only. The 2023 data therefore, is the most recent to be unaffected by the pandemic and involves the conduction of in - person surveys.

Data source and time period: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, sub-regional fuel poverty data, 2019-2023.

Average standard variable tariffs (domestic energy bills) for Great Britain

The average standard variable tariff refers to domestic energy bills (including gas and electricity) and is presented here as an annual average cost in Great Britain.

Average standard variable prices had remained relatively steady prior to 2021 in Great Britain. Successive increases in the Ofgem price caps in October 2021 and April 2022 however, contributed to a national cost of living crisis, formerly announced in May 2022. Average tariffs subsequently reached a peak in 2023 and, whilst there has been a decline since then, prices in 2025 still remain 60% higher than prices in 2021.

Increased energy costs will have an impact on the number of households experiencing fuel poverty. Warm and Safe Wiltshire can provide residents across the county with support and energy saving advice. Citizens Advice also has further useful advice for those struggling to pay energy bills.

Definition: The average standard variable tariff refers to domestic energy bills, presented as a cost per year, for Great Britain. Figures are based on an average domestic dual fuel customer who pays by direct debit.

Large legacy energy suppliers: Often called the 'big six', these suppliers supply the majority of the energy to domestic households across the UK. They are Centrica plc (parent company of British Gas), E.ON UK, Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE), RWE npower, EDF Energy and ScottishPower.

Data is as of June for each calendar year.

Data source and time period: Ofgem, retail market indicators, retail price comparison by company and tariff type: Domestic (Great Britain), 2016 - 2025.

Percentage of UK household expenditure by disposable income decile

This data shows proportions of household expenditure on housing, food and energy in the UK in 2023, by the disposable income level of the household. Disposable income is defined here as the amount of money that households have available for spending and saving after direct taxes have been accounted for.

It highlights the uneven challenges faced by lower income households, who have to spend a much larger proportion of their income on essentials including housing costs, food and fuel. Those in the lowest decile (decile 1, with less than £199 of disposable income per week), spend approximately 50% of their income on these expenditures. Meanwhile, those in the highest income decile (decile 10, with more than £694 disposable income per week) spend just 21%.

Definition: Disposable (net) income is defined here as the amount of money that households have available for spending and saving after direct taxes have been accounted for. Households were categorised from lowest to highest based on equivalised disposable income, and then split into ten equal groups (deciles), to produce disposable income deciles.

Data source and time period: Office for National Statistics (ONS), family spending workbook 1, detailed expenditure and trends, 2023.

Children in relative low income families

The impact of child poverty is severe. Not only can it affect physical health and emotional wellbeing, but it serves to deepen inequalities that can, in turn, limit future prosperity. Data is presented here pertaining to the proportion of children under the age of 16 who live in relative low income families.

The relative low income measure essentially provides some socio-economic context by comparing income relative to the current UK median income for a given year. Relative low income families are those with an income below 60% of the UK median for the specified year.

In 2024, 14.6% of children under the age of 16 Wiltshire were living in low income families. This is equivalent to almost 13,300 children within this age range. Whilst the proportion of under 16 year olds living in low income families in Wiltshire has been steadily rising since 2022, they have remained below levels seen in both England and the South West region.

Definition: Percentage of children aged under 16 living in relative low income families. Relative low-income is defined as a family in low income Before Housing Costs (BHC) in the reference year. Relative low income sets a threshold of 60 percent of the UK average (median) income and moves each year as average income changes. A family must have claimed Child Benefit and at least one other household benefit (Universal Credit, tax credits, or Housing Benefit) at any point in the year to be classed as low income in these statistics. Gross income measure is Before Housing Costs (BHC) and includes contributions from earnings, state support and pensions. Housing costs in Wiltshire are high and income after housing costs (AHC) is not assessed in this measure.

Data source and time period: Department for Work and Pensions, children in low income families: local area statistics, 2020-2024.

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) for domestic properties by rating

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is required for properties when constructed, sold, or let. Low energy ratings of D-G mean householders spend more on energy bills and release more CO2 into the atmosphere than A-C rated homes. This chart shows EPCs in the period 2022-2024 for Wiltshire, the South West and England. Wiltshire has a higher proportion (15%) of low energy efficient homes (E-G) in comparison to England (10%) and a similar proportion to the South West (14%).

Warm and Safe Wiltshire is a commitment from Wiltshire Council, Swindon Borough Council and their partners to help residents live in healthier, safer and more energy efficient homes. It aims to do this through the installation of draught-proofing measures, reducing condensation and damp problems as well as the provision of advice on efficient energy use. For more information, please see the Warm & Safe Wiltshire website.

Definition: Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) describe the energy performance of a property and what can be done to improve it. The chart includes a percentage breakdown of EPCs by rating in Wiltshire for all properties that were constructed, let or sold or where a certificate was requested, including those that were certificated more than once.

Data source and time period: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG, formerly Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities), Table D1: Domestic Energy Performance Certificates for all dwellings by energy efficiency rating, 2022-2024.

Percentage of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) by rating and tenure for Wiltshire (2022 - 2024)

Of the houses with known tenure in Wiltshire in the period 2022-2024, social rented housing had the highest proportions (62%) of properties with high energy efficiency ratings (A-C). This is likely due to sector-specific initiatives focusing on home standards. Owner-occupied properties have the highest percentage (20%) of properties with the least energy-efficient ratings (E-G). Having a less energy-efficient home could mean paying higher energy bills and/or living in colder, damper conditions.

Definition: Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) describe the energy performance of a property and what can be done to improve it. The chart includes a percentage breakdown of EPCs by rating and tenure in Wiltshire for all properties that were constructed, let or sold or where a certificate was requested, including those that were certificated more than once.

Data source and time period: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG, formerly Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities) Energy Performance of Buildings Data: England and Wales, 2022-2024.

Households assessed as owed either a prevention or relief duty

The definition of homelessness means not having a home. People are homeless if they have nowhere to stay and are living on the streets. People can also be homeless if they have a roof over their head, for example if they are 'sofa surfing'. Homelessness and the fear of it happening, can result in both physical and mental ill health.

Local authorities have duties under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 to provide prevention and relief duties for people at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness. The prevention duty starts when someone is threatened with homelessness and local authorities must take reasonable steps to help prevent them from losing their homes within 56 days. The relief duty starts when someone is already homeless and requires help from the local authority to help secure settled accommodation (also within 56 days).

In 2023/24, 1,585 households in Wiltshire were assessed as eligible for either a prevention or relief duty (combined). This is equivalent to a rate of 717 per 100,000 households. This is markedly lower than rates in the South West (1,146 per 100,000 households) and England (1,342 per 100,000 households). Local, national and regional rates have remained fairly static over the five years analysed.

Examining prevention and relief duties separately (using single year data for 2023/24), shows that Wiltshire has a lower rate of households that are owed a prevention duty (311.5 per 100,000 households) compared with the South West (505.3 per 100,000 households) and England (604.9 per 100,000 households). Similarly, the rate of households in the county owed a relief duty (405.1 per 100,000 households) is also lower than that reported regionally (640.5 per 100,000 households) and nationally (737.6 per 100,00 households) over the same frame.

Advice and support for anyone worried about, or experiencing, homelessness can be sought from Wiltshire Council and Shelter using the links provided here.

Definition: Local authorities have duties under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 to provide prevention and relief duties for people at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness. The prevention duty starts when someone is threatened with homelessness, while the relief duty starts when someone is already homeless.

Prevention duty: Local authorities must take reasonable steps to help prevent people from losing their homes within 56 days of a person becoming homeless. This can include either enabling an applicant to remain in their current home or finding them alternative accommodation. The duty lasts for up to 56 days but may be extended if the local authority is continuing with efforts to prevent homelessness.

Relief duty: The relief duty is owed to households that are already homeless on approaching a local authority, and require help to secure settled accommodation. The duty also lasts for 56 days.

Data source and time period: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), formerly Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, homelessness statistics, 2019/20 - 2023/24.

Support needs of those owed a prevention or relief duty

Homelessness is more likely to occur amongst populations who are already experiencing inequalities. In Wiltshire in 2023/24, over 50% of households owed a homelessness prevention or relief duty had one or more support needs.

The most common of these are, a history of mental health problems (18.2% of eligible households), physical ill health and disability (9.7%) and risk or experience of domestic abuse (7.1%).

In terms of age, in 2023/24 in Wiltshire, 93% of people applying for homelessness prevention or relief duties were of working age (between 16 and 64). A fifth of applicants were aged just 16 – 24 years old.

Over 50% of households in the county owed a homelessness prevention or relief duty in 2023/24 were single adults. 38%, meanwhile, were households with dependant children. Homelessness can have far reaching negative effects on children, particularly in terms of their emotional health and wellbeing and education.

Age of main applicant owed a prevention or relief duty (2023/24)

Composition of households owed a prevention or relief duty (2023/24)

Definition: Local authorities have duties under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 to provide prevention and relief duties for people at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness. The prevention duty starts when someone is threatened with homelessness, while the relief duty starts when someone is already homeless. This data looks at the number of households owed a homelessness (prevention or relief duty) according to household support need. Multiple support needs can be reported per household, but each different need is only recorded once.

Data source and time period: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), formerly Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, homelessness statistics, 2023/24.

First time offenders

Reducing the number of individuals entering the criminal justice system for the first time is important. Offending behaviour is often linked to a range of inequalities such as unemployment, homelessness and levels of education as well as factors such as compromised mental health and substance use. Prison populations often hold a higher proportion of people with serious health conditions than the general population.

The rate of first time offending (defined as persons aged 10 years and over receiving their first conviction, caution or youth caution) has broadly declined locally, nationally and regionally since 2018. In 2022, the first time offending rate in Wiltshire stood at 119 per 100,000 persons, lower than rates recorded in both the South West (135 per 100,000) as well as England (166 per 100,000).

Definition: Offenders aged 10+ years recorded as having received their first conviction, caution or youth caution via Police National Computer crime data, expressed as a rate per 100,000 population.

Data source and time period: Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) based on Ministry of Justice Criminal Justice Statistics and Office for National Statistics data, 2018 - 2022, via the OHID Fingertips tool.

Percentage of adult and juvenile offenders who re-offend

Public health has an important role to play in reducing re-offending as part of a combined multi-agency approach. This often involves the police, social services, housing, education and community safety partners.

Over the period shown, Wiltshire has consistently lower levels of re-offending when compared with the South West and England and Wales. In 2022/23, the percentage of adults who reoffended in Wiltshire was 22.7% compared with 26.5% in the South West and 26.9% throughout England and Wales.

Definition: Persons aged 18+ years who have reoffended as a percentage of the total number of people aged 18+ years who have offended in a given year. The time period for a given year is the 12 month period October to September.

Data source and time period: Ministry of Justice, proven reoffending statistics, 2018/19 - 2022/23.

Percentage of offenders who reoffend by age

This metric looks at the percentage of adults who reoffended in Wiltshire, by age group, for the aggregated period 2020/21 - 2022/23.

In Wiltshire, over a quarter of re-offenders are within the 40-44 year age bracket (25.2%) although proportions are relatively evenly distributed across younger age bands. The lowest proportion is in the 50+ years age band (10.4%).

Definition: Persons aged 18+ years who have reoffended as a percentage of the total number of people aged 18+ years who have offended in a given year, by age group. The time period for a given year is the 12 month period October to September.

Data source and time period: Ministry of Justice, proven reoffending statistics, 2020/21 - 2022/23.

Domestic abuse crimes and incidents

The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 defines domestic abuse as abusive behaviour between individuals aged 16 and over, who are 'personally connected to each other'. Behaviour is abusive if it consists of physical, sexual, psychological, emotional or economic abuse and/or violent, threatening, controlling or coercive behaviour. Children related to victims or perpetrators who see, hear or experience the effects of domestic abuse are also considered victims.

Locally and nationally, the rate of recorded domestic abuse crimes and incidents broadly increased between 2019/20 - 2022/23 before reducing in 2023/24. In 2023/24, the rate of recorded domestic crimes and incidents in Wiltshire police force area (covering Wiltshire and Swindon local authorities) stood at 20 per 1,000 persons. This is lower than rates reported across the South West (24.5 per 1,000) as well as England (27.1 per 1,000).

Definition: Domestic abuse related crimes and incidents recorded by the police, expressed as a rate per 1,000 persons. Domestic abuse related offences and incidents are defined as threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between people aged 16 and over, who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality. Local authorities are allocated the rate for the police area within which they sit. For Wiltshire, this is the Wiltshire Police area, which also includes Swindon.

Data source and time period: Office for National Statistics (ONS), Domestic abuse prevalence and victim characteristics, 2019/20 - 2023/24, via the OHID Fingertips tool.

Violence offences

Violent offences against the person cover an array of crimes including serious and common assaults, stalking, harassment, manslaughter and murder. Offences involving violence are a critical public health concern as exposure to violence can have a wide reaching negative impact on communities and can lead to long-term physical and emotional harm for the persons involved.

Locally and nationally, the rate of recorded violent offences (excluding sexual offences) broadly increased between 2019/20 - 2022/23 before reducing in 2023/24. Regionally, rates also increased between 2019/20 - 2021/22 and have since plateaued. Rates in Wiltshire have remained consistently below that recorded in the South West region and England over the period analysed.

In 2023/24, the rate of recorded violent offences in Wiltshire was 19 per 1,000 persons. This is lower than rates reported across the South West (28.5 per 1,000) as well as England (32.7 per 1,000).

Definition: Violence against the person offences recorded by the police, expressed as a rate per 1,000 persons. Examples of offences included here, are, very broadly, murder, attempted murder, manslaughter, threats to kill, actual bodily harm, grievous bodily harm, assault, racially aggravated offences resulting in injury, kidnapping, causing death by dangerous driving, child neglect and cruelty, stalking and harassment. This offence grouping does not include sexual offences.

A full list of offence groupings, including violence against the person offences can be found on GOV.UK's recorded crime data offence reference table.

This data is produced at Community Safety Partnership (CSP) level. At the time of introduction, CSPs were formed to match local authority areas.

Data source and time period: Home Office (HO), police recorded crime and outcomes, open data tables, 2019/20 - 2023/24, via the OHID Fingertips tool.

Sexual offences

Sexual offences include crimes such as rape, sexual assault, child sexual abuse and crimes that exploit others for a sexual purpose. Offences can occur between strangers, acquaintances and family members, as well as between current and ex partners, and can have devastating long-term effects on individuals, families and communities.

The rate of sexual offences is relatively low across Wiltshire and it's comparator areas. There has, however, been a slight increase in the rates reported locally, regionally and nationally since 2020/21. The rate of recorded sexual offences in Wiltshire in 2023/24 was 2.2 per 1,000 persons, equivalent to approximately 1,120 sexual offences. This is lower than the rate for the South West (2.9 per 1,000) and England (2.9 per 1,000).

Definition: Sexual offences (excluding exposure and voyeurism) recorded by the police, expressed as a rate per 1,000 persons. Examples of offences included here, are, very broadly, rape, sexual and indecent assault, trafficking and grooming. A full list of offence groupings, including sexual offences can be found on GOV.UK's recorded crime data offence reference table.

Data source and time period: Home Office (HO), police recorded crime and outcomes, open data tables, 2019/20 - 2023/24, via the OHID Fingertips tool.

Hospital admissions for violence (including sexual violence)

Examining hospital admissions resulting from violence (including sexual violence) provides information on the health impacts of violent and sexual crime.

Rates of hospital admissions as a result of violence have steadily declined since 2017/18-2019/20 locally, regionally and nationally. Over the period analysed, rates in Wiltshire have remained below South West regional and national comparators. Between 2021/22 - 2023/24, the rate of admissions of this nature in Wiltshire stood at 20.5 per 100,000 persons. This is lower than rates in both the South West (25.4 per 100,000) and England as a whole (34.2 per 100,000).

Definition: The number emergency hospital admissions due to violence (including sexual violence) in persons of all ages, expressed as a rate per 100,000 persons.

Data source and time period: NHS England, hospital episode statistics (HES), 2017/18-2019/20 - 2021/22-2023/24, via the OHID Fingertips tool.

In Wiltshire, there is a stark difference in rates of hospital admissions of this kind between males and females, with rates in males markedly higher than for females. This is reflective of national trends. For the most recent data point in Wiltshire (2021/22 - 2023/24), the rate of hospital admissions as a result of violence (including sexual violence) in males was 28.8 per 100,000. This is more than double the rate for females (11.6 per 100,000) in the same timeframe. Rates for both males and females in Wiltshire have both, however, steadily declined over the examined period.

Definition: The number emergency hospital admissions due to violence (including sexual violence) in persons of all ages, expressed as a rate per 100,000 persons, by males and females.

Data source and time period: NHS England, hospital episode statistics (HES), 2017/18-2019/20 - 2021/22-2023/24, via the OHID Fingertips tool.

Killed and seriously injured (KSI) road casualties

Traffic collisions are a major cause of preventable deaths. The majority of collisions are preventable through improvements to road and vehicle safety awareness, as well as education. This metric looks specifically at traffic collisions where a person is killed or seriously injured (KSI).

Previous KSI analysis typically presented a rate per population. It has since been recognised however, that KSI occurrences are more closely linked to traffic than population size. Whilst moving to a rate per billion vehicle miles is more reflective of a key causative factor (traffic levels), it means that local authorities with relatively small populations but high amounts of traffic (such as rural areas with major roads passing through, like Wiltshire) may see a significant change in the data for their area.

KSI casualties in Wiltshire have remained fairly consistent in recent years, dropping in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the rate has risen to pre-pandemic levels, at 73.3 casualties per billion vehicle miles in 2023. In Wiltshire, in 2023, there were 273 killed or seriously injured (KSI) casualties on the roads. The rate for Wiltshire is similar to the South West (70.7) and lower than England (91.9).

Definition: The number of persons (of all ages) reported killed or seriously injured (KSI) on roads, expressed as a rate per billion vehicle miles travelled (adjusted).

Data source and time period: Department for Transport, reported road collision and casualty numbers and rates by severity data, casualties by local authority (RAS0403) 2019 - 2023.

Open green spaces

Having access to green spaces is vital to our physical and mental wellbeing. They offer a wide range of health benefits including increased opportunities for physical activity, social interaction and stress reduction. They also help to mitigate air pollution, heat and noise levels as well as provide an impetus for increased environmental awareness and learning.

The infographic here shows the number of open access green spaces within Wiltshire. These spaces provide a variety of different environments to suit different needs, from play areas and parks, to recreation grounds and public gardens.

Definition: Count of outdoor amenity and open space sites by type in Wiltshire. Land use site type defined as "Recreation and leisure" with "Outdoor amenity and open spaces" as the Land Use tier. Full list of land use sites chosen:

• Play Area
• Recreation Ground
• Amenity And Open Space Site
• Public Park Or Garden
• War Memorial
• Arboretum
• Picnic Area
• Memorial
• Memorial Gardens

Data source and time period: Ordinance Survey National Geographic Database, Land Use ArcGIS Layer accessed internally through Wiltshire Council ArcGIS Pro, 2025.

Carbon dioxide emissions per capita

In 2019, the UK became legally committed to reaching net zero emissions by 2050. Global temperatures are increasing through the release of greenhouse gases as a result of the way we currently live, from heating our homes to filling our cars. (Net Zero Strategy).

Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) is the primary greenhouse gas emitted through human activities. This chart shows estimated CO₂ emissions per head of population for Wiltshire, the South West and England. Looking at emissions per capita means that emissions across different geographies can be compared as it makes allowance for areas of different population sizes.

All areas have seen a decline in CO₂ emissions per capita in recent years. In Wiltshire in 2023, emissions were 4.1 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent (tCO₂e) per resident, which is a reduction from 5.0 in 2019. Emissions in Wiltshire are still slightly higher, however, than the South West (3.6) and similar to England (3.9).

Definition: End-user carbon dioxide emissions are the total CO₂ emissions per head of population in each area. The publication used for this indicator combines data from the UK’s Greenhouse Gas Inventory with data from a number of other sources (including local energy consumption statistics) to produce a nationally consistent set of greenhouse emissions estimates at local authority level. They show "territorial" emissions, meaning emissions that occur within the UK's borders.

The data shows emissions allocated on an 'end-user' basis where emissions related to energy use are distributed according to the point of energy consumption. Emissions that are not energy related are distributed based on the point of emission, other than emissions from waste management are distributed based on where the waste was produced. Except for the energy industry, emissions from the production of goods are assigned to where the production takes place. Therefore, emissions from the production of goods which are exported will be included, and emissions from the production of goods which are imported are excluded.

Emissions per capita allow comparison between areas of different population size. However, it should be noted that while greenhouse gas emissions per capita may be a useful measure for domestic emissions, emissions from other sources are driven by many factors other than resident population. Therefore, industrial, commercial, public and transport emissions per capita should be interpreted with caution.

Data source and time period: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, UK local authority and regional greenhouse gas emissions statistics, 2019 - 2023.

Proportion of total CO2 emissions by emission source

Looking at the total CO₂ emissions by emission source, it is clear that domestic and transport emissions contribute the most to the total emissions for Wiltshire and its geographical comparators.

In Wiltshire in 2023, the percentage of emissions through transport is higher than England and similar to South West. Domestic emissions in Wiltshire are at a similar level to those in the South West and England. Wiltshire and South West however, have a lower proportion of industry emissions than England.

Land Use, Land-Use Change, and Forestry (LULUCF) net emissions refers to land use, land-use change, and forestry activities, and they can be both a source and a sink for CO₂. Typically, emissions are produced through the conversion of land to cropland and settlements, and emissions are removed through forest growth and the conversion of cropland to grassland. In Wiltshire our LULUCF net emissions were -9%, meaning that the LULUCF activities in Wiltshire provided an emissions sink, rather than producing more emissions. This emissions sink contributes to bringing down the total level of emissions in Wiltshire.

Definition: End-user carbon dioxide emissions: Proportion of CO2 emissions by emission source for 2023.

Data source and time period: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, UK local authority and regional greenhouse gas emissions statistics, 2019 - 2023.

Method used to travel to work

Nearly half of Wiltshire’s population in employment (49%) use a private motor vehicle as their mode of transport. 34% of employed people in the county work mainly at, or from home, reflecting the change in working patterns following the pandemic.

Public transport is the least common travel method in the county with only 2% of the working population using this mode of transport. Across Wiltshire, active travel to work (walking and cycling) is used by 10% of the working population.

Definition: Percentage breakdown of methods of travel to work (for all persons aged 16+ yrs in employment). People who were furloughed at the time of the 2021 Census (about 5.6 million people) were advised to answer the transport to work question based on their previous travel patterns before or during the pandemic. This means that the data may not accurately represent what they were doing at the time of the 2021 Census.

Active travel: Bicycle, on foot

Public transport: Train, bus, minibus, or coach, underground, metro, light rail, tram

Motor vehicle: Driving a car or van, motorcycle, scooter or moped

Work mainly at home (place of work indicated as home address)

Other: Taxi, passenger in a car or van, other method of travel to work.

Data source and time period: Office for National Statistics (ONS), method used to travel to work by distance travelled to work (RM077), Census 2021, March 2021.

Car or van availability

Having access to a regular method of transport is important for work opportunities, accessing health services, socialising and staying connected.

In a predominantly rural area like Wiltshire, where public transport may not always be accessible, having access to a car or van is a key mode of transport.

In Wiltshire, only 13% of households do not have a car or van, which is less than both the South West (17%) and England (24%). This figure may be reflective of the rural nature of Wiltshire compared with more urban areas in the South West and England, where vehicle ownership is less common.

Definition: Percentage of households by number of cars or vans available to household members.

Data source and time period: Office for National Statistics (ONS) Car or van availability (TS045), Census 2021, March 2021.

Walking for travel: Percentage of adults estimated to walk for travel by frequency

Whilst just over a third of people in Wiltshire walk as a means of travel at least once per week, the proportion of people walking as a means of travel on a regular basis (at least 3 or 5 times a week) is much lower. The same is true for geographical comparators.

Definition: Proportion of adults estimated to walk for travel, by frequency and local authority, England.

Data source and time period: Department for Transport, walking and cycling statistics, 2023.

Walking for travel: Percentage of adults estimated to walk for travel at least 3 times per week

Looking at trends in adults estimated to walk on a more regular basis (3 times a week) in 2023, Wiltshire reports slightly lower proportions than the South West and England.

Walking as a form of active travel has multiple benefits. With the UK’s aim to reach net zero emissions by 2050, encouraging travel that does not use vehicles is important to help reach this goal. Alongside the environmental benefits of walking, it also has the added health benefit of physical exercise.

Definition: Proportion of adults estimated to walk for travel at least three time per week.

Data source and time period: Department for Transport, walking and cycling statistics, 2019 - 2023.