People aged 65 or over
14.7%21 March 2021 · Preston
Show the workings
Published Census 2021 count; percentage uses the matching population denominator
All usual residents
21,803 out of 147,836.
Source and method →Preston · England
Community life
Preston council area. Every figure carries its own date.
A place is more than its average house price. The census shows who lives here and some of the pressures households face.
People reporting bad or very bad health
5.6%21 March 2021 · Preston
Show the workings
Published Census 2021 count; percentage uses the matching population denominator
All usual residents; self-reported, not age-standardised
8,241 out of 147,835.
Source and method →Households facing at least one measured disadvantage
53.4%21 March 2021 · Preston
The census checks education, employment, health and housing. This is not a measure of income or poverty.
Show the workings
Published Census 2021 count; percentage uses the matching population denominator
All households
31,822 out of 59,607.
Source and method →Households facing two or more measured disadvantages
19.8%21 March 2021 · Preston
The census checks education, employment, health and housing. This is not a measure of income or poverty.
Show the workings
Published Census 2021 count; percentage uses the matching population denominator
All households
11,790 out of 59,607.
Source and method →People aged 16+ with no qualifications
19.4%21 March 2021 · Preston
Show the workings
Published Census 2021 count; percentage uses the matching population denominator
Residents aged 16 and over
23,079 out of 118,669.
Source and method →People aged 16+ with a degree or equivalent
31.7%21 March 2021 · Preston
Show the workings
Published Census 2021 count; percentage uses the matching population denominator
Residents aged 16 and over
37,641 out of 118,669.
Source and method →Different needs within the area
People reporting bad or very bad health
2.4% to 8.1%
People reporting bad or very bad health ranged from 2.4% in Preston Rural North to 8.1% in Ribbleton — a gap of 5.7 percentage points.
21 March 2021 · 16 of 16 current wards with comparable figures.
Residents described their own health. Differences in age matter, so this is a prompt to investigate needs, not a score for local health services.
See each ward and the workings
These are separate ward percentages, not an average of them. Boundaries: May 2026. Missing or differently defined figures are excluded from this range and stay visible on the ward pages.
| Ward | Share | Count | Population or households covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preston Rural North | 2.4% | 171 | 7,092 |
| Preston Rural East | 3.5% | 302 | 8,648 |
| Greyfriars | 3.7% | 306 | 8,346 |
| Garrison | 4.2% | 383 | 9,155 |
| Ashton | 5.3% | 457 | 8,670 |
| Plungington | 5.3% | 608 | 11,456 |
| Cadley | 5.3% | 453 | 8,506 |
| Sharoe Green | 5.5% | 453 | 8,259 |
| City Centre | 5.6% | 668 | 11,941 |
| Fishwick & Frenchwood | 6% | 566 | 9,431 |
| Deepdale | 6.3% | 606 | 9,667 |
| Ingol & Cottam | 6.3% | 582 | 9,258 |
| Brookfield | 6.5% | 539 | 8,274 |
| St Matthew's | 6.9% | 749 | 10,782 |
| Lea & Larches | 7.1% | 661 | 9,269 |
| Ribbleton | 8.1% | 733 | 9,075 |
People aged 65 or over
8% to 24%
People aged 65 or over ranged from 8% in City Centre to 24% in Sharoe Green — a gap of 16 percentage points.
21 March 2021 · 16 of 16 current wards with comparable figures.
Age helps locate demand for accessible homes, transport and support. Being older does not itself mean someone needs care.
See each ward and the workings
These are separate ward percentages, not an average of them. Boundaries: May 2026. Missing or differently defined figures are excluded from this range and stay visible on the ward pages.
| Ward | Share | Count | Population or households covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| City Centre | 8% | 959 | 11,939 |
| Plungington | 8.1% | 931 | 11,456 |
| St Matthew's | 8.4% | 905 | 10,781 |
| Deepdale | 9.8% | 948 | 9,669 |
| Fishwick & Frenchwood | 9.9% | 937 | 9,431 |
| Ribbleton | 13.3% | 1,207 | 9,077 |
| Brookfield | 15.2% | 1,256 | 8,274 |
| Garrison | 15.6% | 1,431 | 9,154 |
| Lea & Larches | 16.3% | 1,507 | 9,270 |
| Ingol & Cottam | 16.6% | 1,539 | 9,261 |
| Preston Rural North | 17% | 1,205 | 7,092 |
| Ashton | 17% | 1,476 | 8,670 |
| Preston Rural East | 20.2% | 1,751 | 8,650 |
| Greyfriars | 22.1% | 1,844 | 8,346 |
| Cadley | 22.7% | 1,928 | 8,508 |
| Sharoe Green | 24% | 1,983 | 8,261 |
People aged 16+ with no qualifications
9.8% to 30%
People aged 16+ with no qualifications ranged from 9.8% in Preston Rural North to 30% in St Matthew's — a gap of 20.2 percentage points.
21 March 2021 · 16 of 16 current wards with comparable figures.
Formal qualifications are only one part of someone's skills. Training decisions also need current vacancies, employment and residents' experience.
See each ward and the workings
These are separate ward percentages, not an average of them. Boundaries: May 2026. Missing or differently defined figures are excluded from this range and stay visible on the ward pages.
| Ward | Share | Count | Population or households covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preston Rural North | 9.8% | 558 | 5,684 |
| Preston Rural East | 13.3% | 916 | 6,886 |
| Greyfriars | 14.1% | 956 | 6,798 |
| Garrison | 14.2% | 1,049 | 7,397 |
| City Centre | 15.1% | 1,612 | 10,669 |
| Sharoe Green | 15.1% | 1,023 | 6,759 |
| Ashton | 15.4% | 1,113 | 7,245 |
| Plungington | 16.2% | 1,573 | 9,732 |
| Ingol & Cottam | 17.3% | 1,289 | 7,438 |
| Cadley | 18.4% | 1,287 | 6,983 |
| Lea & Larches | 20.8% | 1,525 | 7,318 |
| Brookfield | 26.9% | 1,686 | 6,267 |
| Fishwick & Frenchwood | 27% | 1,909 | 7,074 |
| Ribbleton | 29% | 1,999 | 6,900 |
| Deepdale | 29% | 2,118 | 7,310 |
| St Matthew's | 30% | 2,466 | 8,209 |
Households facing two or more measured disadvantages
6.7% to 31.3%
Households facing two or more measured disadvantages ranged from 6.7% in Preston Rural North to 31.3% in St Matthew's — a gap of 24.6 percentage points.
21 March 2021 · 16 of 16 current wards with comparable figures.
These households met at least two census conditions covering education, employment, health and housing. This is not an income or poverty measure.
See each ward and the workings
These are separate ward percentages, not an average of them. Boundaries: May 2026. Missing or differently defined figures are excluded from this range and stay visible on the ward pages.
| Ward | Share | Count | Population or households covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preston Rural North | 6.7% | 186 | 2,766 |
| Preston Rural East | 8.5% | 285 | 3,338 |
| Greyfriars | 11.2% | 377 | 3,381 |
| Garrison | 13.1% | 469 | 3,568 |
| Sharoe Green | 13.3% | 457 | 3,426 |
| Cadley | 15.4% | 577 | 3,750 |
| Ashton | 15.7% | 637 | 4,069 |
| Ingol & Cottam | 18.7% | 775 | 4,147 |
| Plungington | 22% | 964 | 4,372 |
| Lea & Larches | 22.2% | 897 | 4,032 |
| City Centre | 23% | 1,152 | 5,004 |
| Brookfield | 25% | 820 | 3,285 |
| Fishwick & Frenchwood | 26.1% | 907 | 3,478 |
| Deepdale | 28% | 899 | 3,212 |
| Ribbleton | 29.9% | 1,077 | 3,600 |
| St Matthew's | 31.3% | 1,312 | 4,187 |
Local places and initiatives
The Harris, Market Square
The Harris restoration and reopening
The historic museum, gallery and library has reopened after a major redevelopment, bringing exhibitions and public facilities back into use.
Reopened and operating · evidence dated 2026-01-14
Responsible body: Preston City Council and funding partners
What the source says: The council confirms the September 2025 reopening and reports visitor activity through the end of that year. This verifies operation; early attendance is not treated as a forecast of lasting growth.
Next thing to establish: What is the approved cost, including ongoing maintenance?
Progress, funding and source
- Cost
- Not established by the evidence checked.
- Funding
- Not established by the evidence checked.
- Area covered
- Unmapped: a verified current ward boundary or council ward statement is still needed.
No verified ward footprint is assigned.
The Harris reopens to record crowds →
Source checked 2026-10-17. A plan or announcement is not proof of completion.
Questions for the next progress report
- Which funding is committed, and what remains conditional?
- Which neighbourhoods are covered by an official project plan, and which benefits still need testing?
- What is the next published milestone, and what evidence will show residents benefit?
Keep the Harris accessible during Friargate work →
Connect local skills to local opportunities →
Target support where disadvantages overlap →
How to track delivery →Friargate South, Cheapside, Market Place and Orchard Street
Friargate South street improvements
New paving, planting and improved cycling and walking space will connect streets around the Harris Quarter. Work is being phased to manage access.
Construction start announced for July 2026 · evidence dated 2026-06-26
Responsible body: Preston City Council and Eric Wright Civil Engineering
What the source says: The council announced work from 6 July, phased over approximately 12 months. It described around 20 weeks of vehicle-access changes. This source does not confirm the programme’s later completion.
Next thing to establish: What is the approved cost, including ongoing maintenance?
Progress, funding and source
- Cost
- Not established by the evidence checked.
- Funding
- Not established by the evidence checked.
- Area covered
- Unmapped: a verified current ward boundary or council ward statement is still needed.
No verified ward footprint is assigned.
Friargate South improvement works start →
Source checked 2026-10-17. A plan or announcement is not proof of completion.
Questions for the next progress report
- Which funding is committed, and what remains conditional?
- Which neighbourhoods are covered by an official project plan, and which benefits still need testing?
- What is the next published milestone, and what evidence will show residents benefit?
Keep the Harris accessible during Friargate work →
Connect local skills to local opportunities →
How to track delivery →A phased development in Preston; location not disclosed in the reviewed announcement
Preston’s first new council-owned social-rent homes
The council has approved the next acquisition steps for 18 homes intended for social rent, following registration as a social housing provider.
Acquisition and investment approved to move to contract terms · evidence dated 2026-06-26
Responsible body: Preston City Council
What the source says: The June announcement records approval to progress the 18-home deal to heads of terms. All homes were expected to be ready by 2028, subject to the phased development timetable. Contract progression is not completed purchase, building completion or occupation.
Next thing to establish: What is the approved cost, including ongoing maintenance?
Progress, funding and source
- Cost
- Not established by the evidence checked.
- Funding
- £5 million was approved over two years for the wider social-rent ambition and similar schemes. The 18-home deal’s funding details were confidential in the June announcement.
- Area covered
- No verified current ward footprint is assigned. The named location or council-wide remit does not establish benefits in every ward.
No verified ward footprint is assigned.
Preston’s first new council-owned social-rent homes →
Source checked 2026-10-17. A plan or announcement is not proof of completion.
Questions for the next progress report
- Which neighbourhoods are covered by an official project plan, and which benefits still need testing?
- What is the next published milestone, and what evidence will show residents benefit?
Make the return to council-owned housing accountable →
Make room for homes people can afford →
Target support where disadvantages overlap →
How to track delivery →