People aged 65 or over
24.8%21 March 2021 · Somerset
Show the workings
Published Census 2021 count; percentage uses the matching population denominator
All usual residents
141,897 out of 571,548.
Source and method →Wells · England
Community life
Somerset 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
5.1%21 March 2021 · Somerset
Show the workings
Published Census 2021 count; percentage uses the matching population denominator
All usual residents; self-reported, not age-standardised
29,227 out of 571,548.
Source and method →Households facing at least one measured disadvantage
50%21 March 2021 · Somerset
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
125,087 out of 250,122.
Source and method →Households facing two or more measured disadvantages
15.6%21 March 2021 · Somerset
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
39,060 out of 250,122.
Source and method →People aged 16+ with no qualifications
17.1%21 March 2021 · Somerset
Show the workings
Published Census 2021 count; percentage uses the matching population denominator
Residents aged 16 and over
81,075 out of 474,940.
Source and method →People aged 16+ with a degree or equivalent
30.5%21 March 2021 · Somerset
Show the workings
Published Census 2021 count; percentage uses the matching population denominator
Residents aged 16 and over
144,903 out of 474,940.
Source and method →Different needs within the area
People reporting bad or very bad health
3.5% to 8.4%
People reporting bad or very bad health ranged from 3.5% in Monkton & North Curry to 8.4% in Highbridge & Burnham South — a gap of 5 percentage points.
21 March 2021 · 55 of 55 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monkton & North Curry | 3.5% | 445 | 12,892 |
| Brympton | 3.6% | 343 | 9,425 |
| Mendip South | 3.9% | 358 | 9,267 |
| Mendip West | 3.9% | 395 | 10,127 |
| Lydeard | 3.9% | 432 | 10,942 |
| Comeytrowe & Trull | 4% | 400 | 10,060 |
| Frome North | 4% | 391 | 9,658 |
| King Alfred | 4.2% | 408 | 9,829 |
| Shepton Mallet | 4.2% | 470 | 11,170 |
| Castle Cary | 4.3% | 451 | 10,548 |
| North Petherton | 4.3% | 454 | 10,456 |
| Blackmoor Vale | 4.3% | 400 | 9,204 |
| Wincanton & Bruton | 4.4% | 514 | 11,792 |
| Mendip Central and East | 4.4% | 417 | 9,484 |
| Mendip Hills | 4.5% | 440 | 9,864 |
| Cannington | 4.5% | 421 | 9,332 |
| Ilminster | 4.5% | 474 | 10,479 |
| Cheddar | 4.6% | 427 | 9,365 |
| Frome East | 4.6% | 606 | 13,128 |
| Bridgwater East & Bawdrip | 4.6% | 568 | 12,291 |
| Upper Tone | 4.8% | 455 | 9,412 |
| Yeovil South | 4.8% | 500 | 10,332 |
| Wellington | 4.8% | 632 | 13,040 |
| Curry Rivel & Langport | 4.9% | 523 | 10,753 |
| South Petherton & Islemoor | 4.9% | 508 | 10,422 |
| Rowbarton & Staplegrove | 4.9% | 517 | 10,499 |
| Brent | 4.9% | 498 | 10,098 |
| Somerton | 5% | 514 | 10,295 |
| Martock | 5% | 528 | 10,553 |
| Yeovil West | 5% | 422 | 8,395 |
| Bishop's Hull & Taunton West | 5.1% | 555 | 10,962 |
| Yeovil East | 5.2% | 600 | 11,596 |
| Coker | 5.2% | 488 | 9,416 |
| Wells | 5.2% | 578 | 11,145 |
| Bridgwater West | 5.2% | 581 | 11,199 |
| Chard North | 5.2% | 558 | 10,684 |
| Dulverton & Exmoor | 5.2% | 415 | 7,928 |
| Frome West | 5.3% | 556 | 10,558 |
| Taunton East | 5.3% | 641 | 12,017 |
| Taunton South | 5.4% | 604 | 11,285 |
| Street | 5.4% | 684 | 12,708 |
| Blackdown & Neroche | 5.5% | 598 | 10,906 |
| Huntspill | 5.6% | 551 | 9,828 |
| Crewkerne | 5.8% | 518 | 8,999 |
| Yeovil Central | 6% | 662 | 11,039 |
| Taunton North | 6.1% | 640 | 10,497 |
| Glastonbury | 6.3% | 563 | 8,980 |
| Dunster | 6.3% | 554 | 8,733 |
| Bridgwater North & Central | 6.4% | 704 | 11,081 |
| Chard South | 6.5% | 565 | 8,734 |
| Minehead | 6.8% | 590 | 8,642 |
| Bridgwater South | 7.1% | 855 | 12,018 |
| Burnham on Sea North | 7.2% | 706 | 9,803 |
| Watchet & Stogursey | 7.4% | 712 | 9,636 |
| Highbridge & Burnham South | 8.4% | 846 | 10,043 |
People aged 65 or over
14% to 37.1%
People aged 65 or over ranged from 14% in Bridgwater North & Central to 37.1% in Minehead — a gap of 23.1 percentage points.
21 March 2021 · 55 of 55 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgwater North & Central | 14% | 1,554 | 11,082 |
| Taunton East | 14.7% | 1,762 | 12,019 |
| Brympton | 15.4% | 1,452 | 9,424 |
| Yeovil East | 16% | 1,854 | 11,599 |
| Bridgwater West | 17.2% | 1,930 | 11,199 |
| Bridgwater South | 17.3% | 2,082 | 12,018 |
| North Petherton | 17.8% | 1,856 | 10,456 |
| Frome East | 18.1% | 2,371 | 13,131 |
| Taunton North | 18.8% | 1,972 | 10,497 |
| Bridgwater East & Bawdrip | 19.6% | 2,412 | 12,289 |
| Shepton Mallet | 19.7% | 2,195 | 11,170 |
| Yeovil West | 19.7% | 1,658 | 8,397 |
| Lydeard | 20.1% | 2,195 | 10,936 |
| Frome West | 20.7% | 2,182 | 10,560 |
| Rowbarton & Staplegrove | 21% | 2,200 | 10,498 |
| Street | 21.2% | 2,695 | 12,707 |
| Yeovil South | 21.7% | 2,237 | 10,329 |
| Taunton South | 21.8% | 2,459 | 11,283 |
| Monkton & North Curry | 21.9% | 2,823 | 12,894 |
| Wincanton & Bruton | 22.4% | 2,647 | 11,791 |
| Yeovil Central | 22.8% | 2,520 | 11,039 |
| Mendip Central and East | 24.4% | 2,310 | 9,484 |
| Mendip Hills | 24.7% | 2,440 | 9,866 |
| Wellington | 24.9% | 3,243 | 13,040 |
| Bishop's Hull & Taunton West | 25% | 2,738 | 10,962 |
| Glastonbury | 25.3% | 2,268 | 8,980 |
| Chard North | 25.6% | 2,732 | 10,683 |
| Mendip West | 25.6% | 2,597 | 10,126 |
| Martock | 25.7% | 2,715 | 10,551 |
| Highbridge & Burnham South | 26.3% | 2,644 | 10,043 |
| Cheddar | 26.5% | 2,485 | 9,367 |
| Blackdown & Neroche | 26.6% | 2,906 | 10,907 |
| Mendip South | 26.7% | 2,474 | 9,270 |
| Chard South | 26.8% | 2,341 | 8,733 |
| Frome North | 27.4% | 2,650 | 9,656 |
| Castle Cary | 27.5% | 2,904 | 10,548 |
| Brent | 28.2% | 2,848 | 10,096 |
| Blackmoor Vale | 28.3% | 2,605 | 9,201 |
| Crewkerne | 28.5% | 2,567 | 9,001 |
| Huntspill | 28.7% | 2,817 | 9,829 |
| Cannington | 29.1% | 2,713 | 9,329 |
| Upper Tone | 30.2% | 2,844 | 9,413 |
| Comeytrowe & Trull | 30.2% | 3,042 | 10,062 |
| King Alfred | 30.3% | 2,977 | 9,832 |
| Coker | 30.3% | 2,856 | 9,417 |
| Curry Rivel & Langport | 30.6% | 3,293 | 10,755 |
| Somerton | 30.7% | 3,159 | 10,295 |
| Wells | 30.8% | 3,430 | 11,145 |
| Ilminster | 30.8% | 3,229 | 10,480 |
| South Petherton & Islemoor | 31.4% | 3,269 | 10,422 |
| Watchet & Stogursey | 33.1% | 3,186 | 9,635 |
| Dunster | 33.9% | 2,959 | 8,731 |
| Burnham on Sea North | 35.6% | 3,489 | 9,800 |
| Dulverton & Exmoor | 36.6% | 2,904 | 7,929 |
| Minehead | 37.1% | 3,207 | 8,644 |
People aged 16+ with no qualifications
12.4% to 27.9%
People aged 16+ with no qualifications ranged from 12.4% in Monkton & North Curry to 27.9% in Bridgwater North & Central — a gap of 15.5 percentage points.
21 March 2021 · 55 of 55 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monkton & North Curry | 12.4% | 1,279 | 10,355 |
| Comeytrowe & Trull | 12.5% | 1,046 | 8,352 |
| Lydeard | 12.5% | 1,113 | 8,885 |
| Frome North | 13% | 1,055 | 8,121 |
| Brympton | 13.2% | 1,001 | 7,594 |
| Upper Tone | 13.6% | 1,096 | 8,048 |
| Cheddar | 14.1% | 1,103 | 7,811 |
| Castle Cary | 14.1% | 1,280 | 9,052 |
| Mendip Hills | 14.1% | 1,169 | 8,263 |
| North Petherton | 14.3% | 1,183 | 8,287 |
| Coker | 14.3% | 1,153 | 8,046 |
| Mendip West | 14.7% | 1,236 | 8,413 |
| Wells | 14.7% | 1,403 | 9,514 |
| Blackmoor Vale | 14.8% | 1,142 | 7,714 |
| Mendip South | 14.9% | 1,170 | 7,833 |
| Curry Rivel & Langport | 14.9% | 1,370 | 9,168 |
| Rowbarton & Staplegrove | 15% | 1,288 | 8,579 |
| Bishop's Hull & Taunton West | 15% | 1,377 | 9,165 |
| King Alfred | 15.3% | 1,289 | 8,447 |
| Somerton | 15.3% | 1,333 | 8,718 |
| Blackdown & Neroche | 15.4% | 1,398 | 9,088 |
| South Petherton & Islemoor | 15.7% | 1,394 | 8,868 |
| Wincanton & Bruton | 15.8% | 1,505 | 9,542 |
| Taunton South | 15.9% | 1,479 | 9,303 |
| Martock | 16% | 1,406 | 8,808 |
| Frome East | 16% | 1,655 | 10,341 |
| Cannington | 16% | 1,260 | 7,869 |
| Yeovil South | 16.3% | 1,420 | 8,710 |
| Glastonbury | 16.6% | 1,274 | 7,683 |
| Ilminster | 16.6% | 1,469 | 8,850 |
| Yeovil West | 16.9% | 1,124 | 6,640 |
| Mendip Central and East | 17.1% | 1,344 | 7,856 |
| Dulverton & Exmoor | 17.2% | 1,213 | 7,052 |
| Wellington | 17.3% | 1,888 | 10,896 |
| Frome West | 17.4% | 1,488 | 8,568 |
| Yeovil East | 17.8% | 1,628 | 9,125 |
| Bridgwater West | 18.2% | 1,635 | 9,002 |
| Dunster | 18.2% | 1,377 | 7,557 |
| Brent | 18.5% | 1,589 | 8,597 |
| Bridgwater East & Bawdrip | 18.6% | 1,876 | 10,081 |
| Shepton Mallet | 18.7% | 1,718 | 9,179 |
| Yeovil Central | 18.8% | 1,729 | 9,209 |
| Crewkerne | 19.1% | 1,456 | 7,642 |
| Huntspill | 19.3% | 1,606 | 8,321 |
| Street | 19.4% | 1,992 | 10,271 |
| Taunton North | 19.4% | 1,645 | 8,469 |
| Taunton East | 19.6% | 1,894 | 9,680 |
| Chard North | 19.6% | 1,734 | 8,856 |
| Watchet & Stogursey | 21.3% | 1,755 | 8,249 |
| Burnham on Sea North | 21.6% | 1,854 | 8,590 |
| Minehead | 22.1% | 1,680 | 7,610 |
| Chard South | 22.1% | 1,606 | 7,274 |
| Highbridge & Burnham South | 24.3% | 2,016 | 8,310 |
| Bridgwater South | 25.1% | 2,447 | 9,743 |
| Bridgwater North & Central | 27.9% | 2,432 | 8,728 |
Households facing two or more measured disadvantages
10.7% to 26.8%
Households facing two or more measured disadvantages ranged from 10.7% in King Alfred to 26.8% in Bridgwater South — a gap of 16.1 percentage points.
21 March 2021 · 55 of 55 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| King Alfred | 10.7% | 442 | 4,140 |
| Frome North | 10.7% | 460 | 4,286 |
| Comeytrowe & Trull | 10.8% | 479 | 4,443 |
| Monkton & North Curry | 11% | 586 | 5,340 |
| Upper Tone | 11.2% | 452 | 4,050 |
| Mendip Hills | 11.3% | 448 | 3,957 |
| Mendip West | 11.6% | 489 | 4,200 |
| Brympton | 11.8% | 473 | 4,021 |
| Mendip South | 12% | 466 | 3,880 |
| Lydeard | 12% | 538 | 4,471 |
| Cheddar | 12.3% | 501 | 4,062 |
| North Petherton | 12.4% | 520 | 4,189 |
| Coker | 12.6% | 534 | 4,248 |
| South Petherton & Islemoor | 12.8% | 602 | 4,698 |
| Curry Rivel & Langport | 12.8% | 612 | 4,766 |
| Castle Cary | 12.9% | 550 | 4,269 |
| Cannington | 12.9% | 517 | 4,007 |
| Somerton | 13.5% | 613 | 4,533 |
| Blackmoor Vale | 13.6% | 558 | 4,098 |
| Mendip Central and East | 13.9% | 547 | 3,942 |
| Wincanton & Bruton | 13.9% | 708 | 5,077 |
| Rowbarton & Staplegrove | 14.1% | 634 | 4,512 |
| Bishop's Hull & Taunton West | 14.2% | 731 | 5,133 |
| Ilminster | 14.3% | 683 | 4,772 |
| Blackdown & Neroche | 14.5% | 673 | 4,644 |
| Martock | 14.6% | 684 | 4,691 |
| Brent | 14.7% | 624 | 4,231 |
| Wells | 14.8% | 794 | 5,362 |
| Dulverton & Exmoor | 14.8% | 558 | 3,763 |
| Bridgwater East & Bawdrip | 15% | 800 | 5,338 |
| Bridgwater West | 15.2% | 708 | 4,661 |
| Frome East | 15.3% | 840 | 5,490 |
| Shepton Mallet | 15.4% | 754 | 4,911 |
| Wellington | 15.5% | 911 | 5,876 |
| Yeovil South | 15.5% | 731 | 4,708 |
| Huntspill | 15.6% | 668 | 4,274 |
| Chard North | 16.4% | 775 | 4,724 |
| Taunton South | 16.7% | 831 | 4,971 |
| Crewkerne | 17.2% | 716 | 4,155 |
| Frome West | 17.3% | 813 | 4,702 |
| Glastonbury | 17.5% | 754 | 4,306 |
| Yeovil West | 17.6% | 615 | 3,493 |
| Dunster | 18% | 724 | 4,024 |
| Minehead | 18.1% | 756 | 4,175 |
| Street | 18.4% | 967 | 5,258 |
| Yeovil East | 18.5% | 909 | 4,925 |
| Burnham on Sea North | 18.7% | 875 | 4,689 |
| Yeovil Central | 19.3% | 943 | 4,889 |
| Taunton North | 19.8% | 916 | 4,618 |
| Chard South | 20.4% | 789 | 3,868 |
| Taunton East | 20.7% | 1,136 | 5,483 |
| Watchet & Stogursey | 20.9% | 937 | 4,487 |
| Bridgwater North & Central | 25.1% | 1,146 | 4,567 |
| Highbridge & Burnham South | 25.8% | 1,159 | 4,485 |
| Bridgwater South | 26.8% | 1,409 | 5,261 |
Local places and initiatives
Wells
Wells skatepark proposal
Residents are raising money for a modern concrete skatepark for local young people.
Planning permission reported; fundraising continues · evidence dated 2025-08-18
Responsible body: Local skatepark charity, supported by Wells City Council
What the source says: The council-hosted mayoral update reports full planning permission and funds raised towards a larger target. Permission and fundraising do not establish that construction has begun or the park has opened.
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
- No official project-to-ward mapping has been verified; no ward allocation is inferred from a city or street name.
No verified ward footprint is assigned.
Update from the Mayor of Wells: skatepark fundraising →
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?
Turn Wells’ skatepark permission into a viable community facility →
Plan homes and care around an older population →
Bring support closer to people in poor health →
Target support where disadvantages overlap →
How to track delivery →Strawberry Line between Haybridge, Wells and the Dulcote area
Strawberry Line signs and route access
New signs help residents and visitors find the walking and cycling route around Wells.
New signs installed · evidence dated 2026-10-05
Responsible body: Wells City Council and the Strawberry Line team
What the source says: The council confirms installation of new Wells signs and describes a continuous marked section from Haybridge to east of the Dulcote recycling centre. This does not mean the entire wider Strawberry Line network is complete.
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
- No official project-to-ward mapping has been verified; no ward allocation is inferred from a city or street name.
No verified ward footprint is assigned.
New signs improve wayfinding along the Strawberry Line →
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?
Wells city
Community emergency preparedness
A newly adopted plan coordinates local help during flooding, severe weather and other major disruptions. It supports emergency services rather than replacing them.
Plan adopted; practical readiness still needs testing · evidence dated 2026-10-12
Responsible body: Wells City Council, community partners and emergency-response agencies
What the source says: The council’s 12 October update confirms adoption and describes local coordination, accessible information and alternatives when digital channels fail. It also signposts flood-resilience kits for vulnerable homes.
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
- No verified current ward footprint is assigned. The named site or council-wide remit is not proof of benefits to every ward.
No verified ward footprint is assigned.
Wells City Council adopts new Community Resilience Plan →
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?
Turn Wells’ emergency plan into tested local readiness →
Target safety work where problems repeat →
Target support where disadvantages overlap →
How to track delivery →