Somerset
Main towns: The three main towns are Taunton, Yeovil and Bridgwater.
Demographics: Somerset's residents enjoy a relatively good quality of life, but pockets of deprivation exist in parts of Taunton, Bridgwater and in some rural areas, particularly West Somerset. The county has a small but growing black and minority ethnic population, currently estimated at 4 per cent. In recent years, increasing numbers of migrant workers from Europe have been attracted by local skill shortages in sectors such as food preparation and care services.
Relatively high numbers of elderly people may represent future pressures on the economy. It has a higher proportion of people aged over 65 than the national and regional averages and a lower proportion of working age adults. The number of 15 to 24 year olds is declining.
Much of Somerset is low lying and at risk of flooding, making the implications of climate change particularly challenging.
Levels of employment are high and increasing, but skill levels are slightly below the national average. Levels of productivity are also lower than average. Somerset has good transport links to its main towns, but improvements in rural areas, particularly Mendip and West Somerset, are required.
Crime is low and levels are reducing at a faster rate than average for crimes such as burglary, violent crime, and robbery. Life expectancy for both men and women is higher than the national average and rising and premature death rates from heart disease and strokes are lower and falling.
Population: Somerset has a population of 512,500, with roughly a quarter of the population living in the three largest towns of Taunton, Yeovil and Bridgwater. Somerset's population is growing faster than both the regional and national averages. 31 per cent of the population live in settlements of 3,000 to 25,000 people with the remainder of the county being rural with many villages and smaller settlements. Population density is lower than the regional average at 148.5 persons per square kilometre.
Places of Interest: The county has a good quality natural environment, including within its boundaries two thirds of Exmoor National Park and four Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This quality landscape has contributed to the county being one of the most visited regions in southern England.
House/Flat Prices: The average property price in Somerset today is £268,000. The average price five years ago, in 2004, was £180,300.
Planning issues: Plans for a 300,000 sq ft business park are expected to create more than 1,000 jobs to Weston-super-Mare. The development aims to provide accommodation for blue chip companies. Summerfield Developments has lodged a planning application with North Somerset Council for the 20-acre site. Work was expected to start in February 2009 on a £8m development to house Somerset’s archives, local studies and museum reserve collections. Planning permission had been granted for the Somerset Heritage Centre at Langford Mead, Norton Fitzwarren, on the former Taunton Trading Estate. Tens of thousands of items connected with the county’s history are currently in storage. The new centre will consist of two new buildings, covering more than 75,000sq ft and is due to be completed by developers St Modwen by 2010.