Population and deprivation

Current population

This graphic shows the total population of Wiltshire (based on 2024 mid-year ONS population estimates) alongside a breakdown of the population by broad age band and males and females.

Definition: Total population of Wiltshire by males and females and age band.

Data source and time period: Office for National Statistics (ONS), 2024 mid year population estimates for England and Wales, local authority boundaries edition, 2025.

Comparison of current and projected population in Wiltshire by 10 year age band

By 2045, the population of Wiltshire is estimated to rise by 11%, to 581,308 persons. This increase, however, will not be uniform across all age groups. The proportion of persons aged 30 years and under is forecast to decline, whilst, conversely the proportion of persons in older age groups is predicted to increase. The ageing population in Wiltshire presents a unique range of challenges and opportunities in terms of service delivery across the county. Whilst it will undoubtedly increase future demand for health, social care and housing services, it is important to consider all factors that influence wellbeing in later life. These include our neighbourhoods, the built environment, transport and leisure. Embedding an age friendly approach should therefore be a key consideration in the design and provision of services across the county.

Definition: Comparison of the composition of the current (2024) population and the projected population in 2045 in Wiltshire, by 10 year age band. This is presented as a proportion of the total population.

Data source and time period: Office for National Statistics (ONS), 2024 mid year population estimates for England and Wales, local authority boundaries edition and Office for National Statistics (ONS) 2022-based (migration category variant edition) population projections, both 2025.

Percentage change between the current and projected population by broad age band

Over the next twenty years, the proportion of people aged 65+ years and 85+ years is expected to rise at a higher rate compared with younger age groups. This is true locally, regionally and nationally.

The anticipated increases in persons aged over 65 and 85 years in Wiltshire are, however, both higher than those predicted for the South West region and England as a whole.

By 2045, the population aged over 65 years in Wiltshire is forecast to rise by 39% compared with 35% in the South West and 32% in England. The population aged over 85 years in Wiltshire meanwhile, is predicted to double (an increase of just over 100%). This is again higher than proportional increases for this age group anticipated in the South West (88%) and across England (75%).

Definition: The percentage change between the current (2024) population and the projected population in 2045, by broad age band.

Data source and time period: Office for National Statistics (ONS), 2024 mid year population estimates for England and Wales, local authority boundaries edition and Office for National Statistics (ONS) 2022-based (migration category variant edition) population projections, both 2025.

Numerical change between the current and projected population in Wiltshire by broad age band

The number of people aged 65 years and over in Wiltshire is expected to increase by around 47,500 persons over the next 20 years. Wiltshire's population aged over 85 years however, is expected to double. This represents an increase of just over 17,000 persons within this age range.

Definition: The numerical change between the current (2024) population and the projected population in 2045, by broad age band.

Data source and time period: Office for National Statistics (ONS), 2024 mid year population estimates for England and Wales, local authority boundaries edition and Office for National Statistics (ONS) 2022-based (migration category variant edition) population projections, both 2025.

Number of serving military personnel based in Wiltshire

As of 2025, there are in the region of 16,000 serving military personnel residing in Wiltshire. Numbers have remained consistent since 2024.

This figure excludes spouses, partners and children and is equivalent to 3% of the total population of the county.

There is a high military presence in Stonehenge (Amesbury), Tidworth and Warminster community areas. Additional community area locations with military populations include Chippenham, Corsham, Pewsey, Royal Wootton Bassett and Cricklade.

The 2025 Healthwatch report, the health needs and experiences of military families in Wiltshire, highlights a number of significant barriers faced by military families when accessing health and social care services. Key drivers are loneliness and isolation which can reduce resilience and damage physical and mental health.

Definition: Number of serving military personnel (UK Regular Forces) based in Wiltshire. This includes officers and other ranks and but excludes MOD civilian personnel.

Data source and time period: Ministry of Defence, Location statistics for UK regular armed forces and civilians, 2023 - 2025

Deprivation

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) publish the English indices of deprivation around every five years. The most recent publication was in 2019 and it is due to be updated again at the end of 2025. As a result of this impending update, deprivation data will be kept to a minimum in the initial publication of this JSNA. Once the new data is available, the relevant sections of this JSNA will be refreshed to include the most up to date deprivation information. This work will be undertaken early in 2026.

The 2019 English indices of deprivation uses a collection of indicators grouped into seven deprivation domains to provide an estimate of relative deprivation levels within England. These domains are weighted to evaluate their impact on deprivation and are combined into a single index of multiple deprivation (IMD). This information can then be used to gain insight into levels of deprivation within Wiltshire and enables comparison with other parts of the country. Deprivation can be categorised as either deciles (ten equal subsections of 10%, where decile 1 is the most deprived and decile 10 is the least) or quintiles (five equal subsections of 20% where quintile 1 is the most deprived and quintile 5, the least).

Persons living in the most deprived areas face the most significant healthcare inequalities in terms of access to, and experience of, healthcare services as well as overall health outcomes. This is most clearly demonstrated when looking at life expectancy and this can be seen in the infographic included in this section. In 2021-2023 in Wiltshire, female life expectancy was 4.9 years longer for females living in the least deprived decile (86.6 years) compared with females living in the most deprived decile (81.7 years). Similarly, male life expectancy in Wiltshire is 5.5 years longer for males living in the least deprived decile (82.1 years) compared with the most deprived decile (76.6 years). More detail on life expectancy can be found in the life expectancy and causes of death section of this JSNA.

The infographic here also includes summary deprivation information from the 2019 English indices of deprivation. It shows Wiltshire's overall national ranking (compared with other local authorities in England) as well as the number of named small geographical areas in Wiltshire (known as lower super output areas or LSOAs) that sit in the top 20% of the most deprived areas nationally (the most deprived quintile, quintile 1). Within Wiltshire, only 3% of the population live in areas within the most deprived quintile, whilst nearly a third live in the least deprived quintile.

Definition: Summary deprivation information from the 2019 English indices of deprivation and life expectancy for males and females in Wiltshire by national deprivation decile 2021 - 2023.

Data source and time period: Life expectancy: Office for National Statistics (ONS), Life expectancy for local areas in Great Britain, 2021-2023, via the OHID Fingertips tool
Deprivation: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), English indices of deprivation, 2019

Ethnicity

The table below provides a breakdown of the populations of Wiltshire, the South West and England by broad ethnicity grouping, taken from the 2021 Census.

Definition: The percentage of the population by broad ethnicity grouping.

Data source and time period: Office for National Statistics (ONS), ethnic group (TS021), Census 2021, March 2021.

Top five languages spoken in Wiltshire other than English

Polish, Nepalese, Romanian, Portuguese and Spanish were identified as the top five most common languages spoken in Wiltshire (other than English) in the 2021 Census.

Definition: Top five most commonly spoken languages in Wiltshire, other than English, in persons aged 3 years and over.

Data source and time period: Office for National Statistics (ONS), main language (detailed) (TS024), Census 2021, March 2021.

Percentage of the population who are disabled under the 2010 Equality Act

In the 2021 Census, 17% of people in Wiltshire were considered disabled under the 2010 Equality Act. This is broadly in line with proportions observed in the South West (19%) and England (17%). 6% of Wiltshire's population have a disability under the 2010 Equality Act that significantly limits their daily activities. This is again similar to levels seen both regionally and nationally.

Definition: In the 2021 Census, people were asked the question 'Do you have any physical or mental health conditions or illnesses lasting, or expected to last, 12 months or more?' Persons answering 'yes' in response to this question were then asked 'Do any of your conditions or illnesses reduce your ability to carry out day-to-day activities?' and were provided with the following response options
'Yes, a lot', 'Yes, a little' or 'Not at all'.

In line with the Equality Act (2010), people who assessed their day-to-day activities as limited by long-term physical or mental health conditions or illnesses were considered disabled. Those who stated that they had a condition that did not limit their day-to-day activities or had no condition, were considered not to be disabled. This definition meets the harmonised standard for measuring disability and is in line with the Equality Act (2010).

Data source and time period: Office for National Statistics (ONS), disability (TS038), Census 2021, March 2021.

Percentage of population with specific physical impairments

The table here shows the percentage of the population (aged 18-64 years and 65+ years) estimated to have mobility, vision and hearing impairments.

Whilst Wiltshire is broadly comparable with the South West and England, it shows how the percentage of the population experiencing compromised mobility, sight and hearing increases with age.

Definition: Estimated numbers of persons (aged 18-64 years and 65+ years) with mobility, vision and hearing impairments. Estimates are jointly produced by Oxford Brookes University and the Institute of Public Care, accessed via the Projecting Adult Needs and Service Information (PANSI) and Projecting Older People Population Information (POPPI) data portals. These are shown as a percentage of the total population using ONS 2024 mid year population estimates.

Data source and time period: Projecting Adult Needs and Service Information (PANSI) and and Projecting Older People Population Information (POPPI) data portals, Oxford Brookes University and the Institute of Public Care, 2025.

Percentage of patients with a learning disability

People with learning disabilities are known to experience inequalities (such as barriers to accessing health care), and can often experience poorer health outcomes as a result.

In 2023/24, around 2,800 people (of all ages) in Wiltshire registered with a GP had a known or diagnosed learning disability. This is equivalent to 0.5% of Wiltshire's population and is similar to levels reported regionally and nationally (0.6%) in the same year.

This data refers only to persons with a known diagnosis. Estimates produced by Oxford Brookes University and the Institute of Public Care suggest however, that actual numbers of persons living in the county with a learning disability could be much higher, at nearly 10,000 in 2025 (7,342 between the ages of 18-64 years and 2,561 for persons aged 65+ years).

Definition: The percentage of patients with a learning disability, as recorded on GP practice registers.

Data source and time period: NHS England, Quality and Outcomes Framework, 2019/20 - 2023/24, via the OHID Fingertips tool.

Total new referrals for autism diagnosis

Autism is a lifelong condition that influences how people experience and interact with the world. Early diagnosis of autism can be helpful in terms of fostering self-understanding and accessing tailored support and resources. Sometimes referred to as a spectrum or an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the way autism presents is individually unique, with differing combinations of strengths and challenges.

NHS England autism statistics are not available at Local Authority level, yet it is possible to examine this data nationally as well as by Integrated Care Board (ICB). This section shows data relating to autism diagnosis referrals (for all persons, of all ages) for Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board area (BSW ICB), as well as England.

In 2024/25, there were almost 950 new referrals seeking (a positive or negative) autism diagnosis across NHS BSW ICB, equivalent to approximately 78 per month. A total of almost 138,000 referrals of this nature were recorded across England over the same time frame.

Definition: Number of new autism referrals by month. This data set (indicator ASD12) counts new referrals (for any person, of any age) with suspected autism, who is seeking a positive or negative autism diagnosis via the autism spectrum disorder diagnostic pathway. All referrals are unique and are only counted once.

Data source and time period: NHS England, Autism waiting time statistics, referral to care contact, indicator ASD12, number of new suspected autism referrals, April 2024 - March 2025, May 2025.

Total unfinished (open) referrals for autism diagnosis

Referrals remain open on the autism spectrum disorder diagnostic pathway until persons are effectively discharged, following a positive or negative autism diagnosis. Numbers of open, 'unfinished' referrals are notably higher than initial referrals in both NHS BSW ICB and England over the period analysed. Whilst these statistics are currently experimental, this could indicate a backlog in persons awaiting a final diagnostic outcome following initial referral for autism assessment and testing.

Definition: Number of unfinished (open) autism referrals by month. This data set (indicator ASD16) counts unfinished (open) referrals (for any person, of any age) with suspected autism, who is seeking a positive or negative autism diagnosis via the autism spectrum disorder diagnostic pathway. All referrals are unique and are only counted once. Referrals remain open until persons have been discharged from the pathway following a positive or negative autism diagnosis.

Data source and time period: NHS England, Autism waiting time statistics, referral to care contact, indicator ASD12, number of new suspected autism referrals, April 2024 - March 2025, May 2025.

Unpaid carers

Carers provide an important role in supporting those they care for. Undertaking caring responsibilities can however, have a significant impact on both the physical and mental health of care givers. Ensuring that carers have access to appropriate support mechanisms, including those that foster social connection outside of the parameters of caring, is therefore vital.

In the 2021 Census, around 42,000 people in Wiltshire were identified as providing some form of unpaid care. This is equivalent to approximately 9% of Wiltshire's population, similar to levels in both the South West and England. Almost 12,000 people in Wiltshire (2.4% of the population) provide more than 50 hours of unpaid care per week.

In Wiltshire, 15% of the population aged 50-64 years provide some form of unpaid care. This is the largest proportion across all of the different age groups. Persons within this age bracket are still of working-age and may therefore, face numerous challenges in terms of balancing work and care giving responsibilities.

As our population ages, more reliance is being placed on the provision of informal care and it is increasingly common that people are becoming carers in later life. 10% of people aged 65 years and over in the county provide unpaid care and 4% of this age group (almost 4,700 people) provide more than 50 hours of unpaid care per week.

Definition: Percentage of persons providing some form of unpaid care (by hours per week).

Data source and time period: Office for National Statistics (ONS), provision of unpaid care (TS039), Census 2021, March 2021.

Definition: Percentage of persons by age band, providing some form of unpaid care (by hours per week) in Wiltshire.

Data source and time period: Office for National Statistics (ONS), provision of unpaid care (TS039), 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.