OverviewDemographicsEarningsIndustryHousing

Lancaster

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

Lancaster supports 58,495 workplace jobs with median earnings 10% below the England average. Productivity (GVA per job) is ranked 216th of 391 local authorities.

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Population

145,006

↑ 5.8%

England: 58,620,101

Workplace Jobs

58,495

Median Annual Earnings

£29,651

287th of 348

England: £33,080

Median House Price

£246,942

↑ 1.8%287th of 348

England: £290,000

Price-to-Earnings

8.3x

GVA per Job

£59,639

216th 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 145,006. Population has grown by 5.8% over five years, significantly below the England rate of 11.4%.

Population

145,006

England: 58,620,101

Working-Age (16-64)

62.8%

England: 62.9%

Under 16

16.2%

Over 65

21.0%

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

Earnings & Income

Gross annual earnings distribution, 2025.

Median annual earnings of £29,651 are below the England median of £33,080.

Median Annual

£29,651

England: £33,080

10th Percentile

£10,418

90th Percentile

N/A

90/10 Ratio

N/A

Gender Pay Gap

The gender pay gap is 31.4% (male median £35,607, female median £24,419). This is above the England gap of 28.2%.

Gender Pay Gap

31.4%

England: 28.2%

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

Industry Structure

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

The most specialised sectors are Electricity, gas & air conditioning (LQ 5.91) and Education (LQ 2.00). Administrative & support services shows the strongest local competitive advantage. Wholesale & retail trade underperforms its national sectoral trend.

Largest Sector

Human health & social work

Most Specialised

Electricity, gas & air conditioning

England: LQ 5.91

Fastest Growing

Administrative & support services

Specialised Sectors

5

England: LQ > 1.25

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

Housing & Property Market

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

The median house price of £246,942 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

£246,942

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 Lancaster to England and Great Britain averages.

Lancaster's median earnings of £29,651 are 10% below the England average of £32,909. House prices are 10% below the England median. The claimant rate of 3.0% is lower than the GB average of 3.5%.

Median earnings

£29,651

England: £32,909(10% below)
GB: £32,401(8% below)

Median house price

£246,942

England: £274,076(10% below)
GB: £269,841(8% below)

Claimant rate

3.0%

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

GVA per job

£59,639

England: £61,178(3% below)
GB: £61,125(2% below)

Working-age population

62.8%

England: 62.1%(0.7pp higher)
GB: 61.9%(0.9pp higher)

Population change (5yr)

5.8%

England: 11.5%(5.7pp lower)
GB: 10.3%(4.5pp lower)

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