OverviewDemographicsEarningsIndustryHousing

Harlow

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

Harlow supports 42,580 workplace jobs with median earnings 7% below the England average. Productivity (GVA per job) is ranked 349th of 391 local authorities.

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Population

98,235

↑ 20.5%

England: 58,620,101

Workplace Jobs

42,580

Median Annual Earnings

£30,654

239th of 348

England: £33,080

Median House Price

£255,296

↑ 1.8%239th of 348

England: £290,000

Price-to-Earnings

8.3x

GVA per Job

£55,018

349th 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 98,235. Population has grown by 20.5% over five years, significantly above the England rate of 11.4%.

Population

98,235

England: 58,620,101

Working-Age (16-64)

63.4%

England: 62.9%

Under 16

22.3%

Over 65

14.4%

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

Earnings & Income

Gross annual earnings distribution, 2025.

Median annual earnings of £30,654 are below the England median of £33,080.

Median Annual

£30,654

England: £33,080

10th Percentile

£10,517

90th Percentile

N/A

90/10 Ratio

N/A

Gender Pay Gap

The gender pay gap is 22.7% (male median £35,626, female median £27,551). This is significantly below the England gap of 28.2%.

Gender Pay Gap

22.7%

England: 28.2%

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

Industry Structure

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

The most specialised sectors are Human health & social work (LQ 1.57) and Wholesale & retail trade (LQ 1.44). Education shows the strongest local competitive advantage. Professional, scientific & technical underperforms its national sectoral trend.

Largest Sector

Human health & social work

Most Specialised

Human health & social work

England: LQ 1.57

Fastest Growing

Education

Specialised Sectors

4

England: LQ > 1.25

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

Housing & Property Market

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

The median house price of £255,296 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

£255,296

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 Harlow to England and Great Britain averages.

Harlow's median earnings of £30,654 are 7% below the England average of £32,909. House prices are 7% below the England median. The claimant rate of 4.6% is higher than the GB average of 3.5%.

Median earnings

£30,654

England: £32,909(7% below)
GB: £32,401(5% below)

Median house price

£255,296

England: £274,076(7% below)
GB: £269,841(5% below)

Claimant rate

4.6%

England: 3.6%(1pp higher)
GB: 3.5%(1.1pp higher)

GVA per job

£55,018

England: £61,178(10% below)
GB: £61,125(10% below)

Working-age population

63.4%

England: 62.1%(1.3pp higher)
GB: 61.9%(1.5pp higher)

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.