OverviewDemographicsEarningsIndustryHousing

Ashford

Economic profile. Data last updated 2026-03-28.

Ashford supports 62,160 workplace jobs with median earnings broadly in line with the England average. Productivity (GVA per job) is ranked 329th of 391 local authorities.

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Population

140,936

↑ 20.5%

England: 58,620,101

Workplace Jobs

62,160

Median Annual Earnings

£32,991

157th of 348

England: £33,080

Median House Price

£274,759

↑ 1.8%157th of 348

England: £290,000

Price-to-Earnings

8.3x

GVA per Job

£56,217

329th of 391

England: £63,763

Source: ONS, Nomis, HM Land Registry, 2024-2025·Last updated March 2026

Demographics & Population

Mid-year population estimates (2024) and Census 2021 age profile.

Mid-year population estimate of 140,936. Population has grown by 20.5% over five years, significantly above the England rate of 11.4%.

Population

140,936

England: 58,620,101

Working-Age (16-64)

60.7%

England: 62.9%

Under 16

19.6%

Over 65

19.7%

Source: ONS Mid-Year Population Estimates, Census 2021, 2024·Last updated March 2026

Earnings & Income

Gross annual earnings distribution, 2025.

Median annual earnings of £32,991 are in line with the England median of £33,080.

Median Annual

£32,991

England: £33,080

10th Percentile

£11,660

90th Percentile

N/A

90/10 Ratio

N/A

Gender Pay Gap

The gender pay gap is 23.2% (male median £37,322, female median £28,677). This is significantly below the England gap of 28.2%.

Gender Pay Gap

23.2%

England: 28.2%

Source: ASHE via Nomis, 2025·Last updated March 2026

Industry Structure

Location quotients and shift-share analysis for Ashford's economy.

The most specialised sectors are Agriculture, forestry & fishing (LQ 3.25) and Electricity, gas & air conditioning (LQ 1.78). Wholesale & retail trade shows the strongest local competitive advantage. Professional, scientific & technical underperforms its national sectoral trend.

Largest Sector

Human health & social work

Most Specialised

Agriculture, forestry & fishing

England: LQ 3.25

Fastest Growing

Wholesale & retail trade

Specialised Sectors

6

England: LQ > 1.25

Source: BRES via Nomis, 2020-2024·Last updated March 2026

Housing & Property Market

Estimated house prices for Ashford vs England, 2015-2025.

The median house price of £274,759 is below the England median of £290,000. The price-to-earnings ratio is 8.3x. Prices have risen 1.8% over the past year.

Median Price

£274,759

England: £290,000

Price-to-Earnings

8.3x

12-Month Change

1.8%

Source: HM Land Registry, Census 2021, 2015-2025·Last updated March 2026

Benchmark to national figures

Comparing Ashford to England and Great Britain averages.

Ashford's median earnings of £32,991 are in line with the England average. The claimant rate of 3.0% is lower than the GB average of 3.5%.

Median earnings

£32,991

England: £32,909
GB: £32,401(2% above)

Median house price

£274,759

England: £274,076
GB: £269,841(2% above)

Claimant rate

3.0%

England: 3.6%(0.6pp lower)
GB: 3.5%(0.5pp lower)

GVA per job

£56,217

England: £61,178(8% below)
GB: £61,125(8% below)

Working-age population

60.7%

England: 62.1%(1.4pp lower)
GB: 61.9%(1.2pp lower)

Population change (5yr)

20.5%

England: 11.5%(9pp higher)
GB: 10.3%(10.2pp higher)

Country averages computed from local authority-level data (England: 294 LAs, GB: 348 LAs). May differ slightly from official published national statistics.