Kent
Main towns: Kent is a mix of rural communities and urban areas, with no dominant centre of population but a network of 18 towns, the largest of which is Maidstone. Rochester is significant as is the City of Canterbury.
Demographics: The population is ageing and is predicted to have one of the UK’s highest increases in the number of people aged 85 over the next few years, together with a fall in under-18s. The county has growing numbers of new arrivals, both economic migrants and asylum-seekers.
The Thames and Medway estuaries have substantial areas of post-industrial decline, though they are also ecologically important. Many of the county’s seaside towns have suffered long-term economic decline.
Population growth is creating pressures.
HGV traffic is growing at 8 per cent each year, placing a strain on infrastructure. Kent is the main link between the UK and mainland Europe, with two international rail stations, the world’s busiest passenger ferry port, two growing airports, the Channel Tunnel and the newly-constructed international high-speed rail link.
Its closeness to London has contributed to large commuter volumes. A higher than average proportion of people live in rural areas and car ownership is above average.
Kent has a £19.3 billion service-based economy and prosperity is growing overall, with significant tourism and a growing base in creative industries, pharmaceuticals and bio-science.
Agriculture and fruit-growing remain important to the character of the County, but are no longer significant employers. The health of people in Kent is generally good.
Kent has lower than average numbers of people with black and minority ethnic (BME) heritage but also a large, established Sikh community.
Migration is high, potentially contributing to the economy, but also putting demands on education and other infrastructure. There are significant numbers of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.
Population: Kent is the UK’s most populated county, with 1.65 million people.
Places of Interest: The longest coastline of any English county. Kent is widely known as the Garden of England for its hops and fruit orchards. Also renowned for the quality of its countryside, landscape and historic building.
Tourists favour Canterbury with Chaucer's pilgrims and Rochester with Dickens.
At Hever Castle visitors can discover how Anne Boleyn spent her childhood, while rising from a lake in 500 acres of parkland, Leeds Castle is another popular family attraction. England's second-oldest cathedral – Rochester Cathedral – offers something for those who enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. Rochester Castle is among the best-preserved and finest examples of Norman building in the country.
House/Flat Prices: The average property price in Kent today is £172,000. The average price five years ago, in 2004, was £166,300.
Planning issues: Kent contains two of the government’s major growth areas.
Three districts - Dartford, Gravesham and Swale - are part of the Thames Gateway, and Ashford has been designated because of its fast rail connection to mainland Europe.
More than 120,000 new households are planned over the next 20 years.
Demand for affordable housing, transport infrastructure, waste management, social, recreational and educational services and water supply are all challenging, and urbanisation is increasing flood risk.