Deprivation in Sandwell
The Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) 2010 shows Sandwell’s average deprivation score as ranked 12th most deprived local authority in England, out of a total of 326. Previous IMD results for this measure show that Sandwell's position has deteriorated relative to other districts in England. Sandwell was 16th most deprived local authority in 2004 and 14th in 2007.
Within the West Midlands urban conurbation there is a central corridor of severe deprivation that runs from Birmingham, through Sandwell, into Wolverhampton, parts of Walsall, and Dudley, the less deprived areas are around the extremities of the urban conurbation and within the adjoining district of Solihull. IMD rankings from 2004 and 2007 for the average deprivation score for local authorities show Birmignham, Walsall and Wolverhampton as becoming relatively more deprived. Sandwell's location at the centre of this deprived urban area means that the borough does not benefit from having a semi-rural fringe. This appears to be a characteristic that is unique in a metropolitan borough outside London, and should not be underestimated as a significant limiting factor on the potential to address some of Sandwell’s deprivation characteristics. (See Deprivation in the WM Conurbation Map)
Deprivation within Sandwell is widespread and yet fairly evenly distributed across the borough. What relatively higher levels of deprivation there are run from Soho and Victoria ward in the
southeast, following the borough's main industrial areas through to the wards of Wednesbury North and Princes End in the northwest of the borough. (See Deprivation in Sandwell - Towns Map)
England is made up of 32,482 Lower Super Output Areas (LSOAs), 187 of which are in Sandwell. The percentage of Sandwell's LSOAs in the most deprived 10% nationally has continued to grow since 2004, with results from the IMD 2010 showing that over 30% of Sandwell’s LSOAs fall into this bracket. A further 28% fall into the most deprived 10-20%, clearly displaying the high levels of deprivation prevalent in large parts of Sandwell. About 90% of Sandwell LSOAs are in the most deprived half of England’s LSOAs.
Further Information
Click here to see further analysis of deprivation in Sandwell.
Click for the IMD Topic Page or Ward Deprivation Information
Useful Documents Concerning the Indices of Deprivation 2010:
Briefing Note 9 Indices of Deprivation 2010
Indices of Deprivation 2010 - Local Authorities
Index of Multiple Deprivation 2010 - Sandwell Small Areas
Additional Documents:
Indices of Deprivation 2010 - CLG Guidance