OverviewDemographicsEarningsIndustryHousing

Merton

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

Merton supports 78,050 workplace jobs with median earnings 32% above the England average.

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Population

218,539

↑ 9.7%

England: 58,620,101

Workplace Jobs

78,050

Median Annual Earnings

£43,507

13th of 348

England: £33,080

Median House Price

£362,339

↑ 1.8%13th of 348

England: £290,000

Price-to-Earnings

8.3x

GVA per Job

£62,346

114th 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 218,539. Population has grown by 9.7% over five years, below the England rate of 11.4%. Working-age population (67.6%) is above the England average.

Population

218,539

England: 58,620,101

Working-Age (16-64)

67.6%

England: 62.9%

Under 16

19.2%

Over 65

13.2%

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

Earnings & Income

Gross annual earnings distribution, 2025.

Median annual earnings of £43,507 are significantly above the England median of £33,080.

Median Annual

£43,507

England: £33,080

10th Percentile

£15,765

90th Percentile

N/A

90/10 Ratio

N/A

Gender Pay Gap

The gender pay gap is 24.7% (male median £50,869, female median £38,322). This is below the England gap of 28.2%.

Gender Pay Gap

24.7%

England: 28.2%

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

Industry Structure

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

The most specialised sectors are Other service activities (LQ 1.63) and Arts, entertainment & recreation (LQ 1.38). Information & communication shows the strongest local competitive advantage. Accommodation & food service underperforms its national sectoral trend.

Largest Sector

Wholesale & retail trade

Most Specialised

Other service activities

England: LQ 1.63

Fastest Growing

Information & communication

Specialised Sectors

5

England: LQ > 1.25

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

Housing & Property Market

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

The median house price of £362,339 is significantly above 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

£362,339

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 Merton to England and Great Britain averages.

Merton's median earnings of £43,507 are 32% significantly above the England average of £32,909. House prices are 32% significantly above the England median. The claimant rate of 4.6% is higher than the GB average of 3.5%.

Median earnings

£43,507

England: £32,909(32% above)
GB: £32,401(34% above)

Median house price

£362,339

England: £274,076(32% above)
GB: £269,841(34% above)

Claimant rate

4.6%

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

GVA per job

£62,346

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

Working-age population

67.6%

England: 62.1%(5.5pp higher)
GB: 61.9%(5.7pp higher)

Population change (5yr)

9.7%

England: 11.5%(1.8pp lower)
GB: 10.3%(0.6pp lower)

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