Local Context
The Bradford District is diverse and vibrant with:
- A beautiful rural environment
- The fastest growing major urban population in the UK
- The third largest concentration of manufacturing and tenth largest concentration of "advanced" manufacturing in the UK
- An impressive built heritage including a world heritage site at Saltaire
- Strong and vocal communities who care about their local areas
- A high level of participation by individuals and communities as volunteers and holders of public office
- Rich and diverse cultural traditions and festivals
- A University with a national and international reputation for scientific research, work on conflict resolution, graduate employment and widening participation
- Entrepreneurs and business leaders committed to the district's future
- Sports teams which inspire committed and passionate support
Some Statistics
- Population is 506,800 (2009 Mid-Year estimates, ONS)
- 80% of the population live in urban areas but 66% of the District is rural in character.
- 28% are under the age of 20 compared to 24% Yorkshire and Humberside and England and Wales.
- 34% under 19s are from BME backgrounds (2001 Census)
- 46% of children in the District's non-maintained schools are from non-white backgrounds (January 2009 school census)
- The population of the District is set to rise by 33% by 2031. The average increase throughout Yorkshire and Humber will be 23% and 19% throughout England.
- The under 20 year old population is also set to rise within the District, by 32%. Throughout Yorkshire & Humber the proportion will rise by 14% and in England 12%.
- Bradford has the third largest population of under 16s in any UK city outside London and is the fastest growing metropolitan area outside London. (Yorkshire and Humber Population Projections September 2006).
