OverviewDemographicsEarningsIndustryHousing

Kirklees

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

Kirklees supports 160,300 workplace jobs with median earnings 9% below the England average. Productivity (GVA per job) is ranked 246th of 391 local authorities.

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Population

447,847

↑ 7.1%

England: 58,620,101

Workplace Jobs

160,300

Median Annual Earnings

£30,238

254th of 348

England: £33,080

Median House Price

£251,831

↑ 1.8%254th of 348

England: £290,000

Price-to-Earnings

8.3x

GVA per Job

£59,069

246th 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 447,847. Population has grown by 7.1% over five years, significantly below the England rate of 11.4%.

Population

447,847

England: 58,620,101

Working-Age (16-64)

62.2%

England: 62.9%

Under 16

19.7%

Over 65

18.1%

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

Earnings & Income

Gross annual earnings distribution, 2025.

Median annual earnings of £30,238 are below the England median of £33,080. The 90/10 earnings ratio is 5.7x (England: 6.2x), indicating relatively high wage inequality.

Median Annual

£30,238

England: £33,080

10th Percentile

£10,036

90th Percentile

£57,483

90/10 Ratio

5.7x

Gender Pay Gap

The gender pay gap is 28.2% (male median £34,931, female median £25,084).

Gender Pay Gap

28.2%

England: 28.2%

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

Industry Structure

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

The most specialised sectors are Manufacturing (LQ 2.20) and Wholesale & retail trade (LQ 1.30). Administrative & support services shows the strongest local competitive advantage. Construction underperforms its national sectoral trend.

Largest Sector

Wholesale & retail trade

Most Specialised

Manufacturing

England: LQ 2.20

Fastest Growing

Administrative & support services

Specialised Sectors

2

England: LQ > 1.25

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

Housing & Property Market

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

The median house price of £251,831 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

£251,831

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 Kirklees to England and Great Britain averages.

Kirklees's median earnings of £30,238 are 8% below the England average of £32,909. House prices are 8% below the England median. The claimant rate of 4.7% is higher than the GB average of 3.5%.

Median earnings

£30,238

England: £32,909(8% below)
GB: £32,401(7% below)

Median house price

£251,831

England: £274,076(8% below)
GB: £269,841(7% below)

Claimant rate

4.7%

England: 3.6%(1.1pp higher)
GB: 3.5%(1.2pp higher)

GVA per job

£59,069

England: £61,178(3% below)
GB: £61,125(3% below)

Working-age population

62.2%

England: 62.1%
GB: 61.9%

Population change (5yr)

7.1%

England: 11.5%(4.4pp lower)
GB: 10.3%(3.2pp lower)

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