New Forest
Economic profile. Data last updated 2026-03-28.
New Forest supports 69,920 workplace jobs with median earnings 5% below the England average.
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 176,116. Population has declined by 0.1% over five years, significantly below the England rate of 11.4%. Working-age population (54.4%) is below the England average.
Source: ONS Mid-Year Population Estimates, Census 2021, 2024·Last updated March 2026
Earnings & Income
Gross annual earnings distribution, 2025.
Median annual earnings of £31,344 are below the England median of £33,080.
Gender Pay Gap
The gender pay gap is 42.7% (male median £41,057, female median £23,536). This is significantly above the England gap of 28.2%.
Source: ASHE via Nomis, 2025·Last updated March 2026
Industry Structure
Location quotients and shift-share analysis for New Forest's economy.
The most specialised sectors are Mining & quarrying (LQ 4.36) and Agriculture, forestry & fishing (LQ 2.40). Wholesale & retail trade shows the strongest local competitive advantage. Construction underperforms its national sectoral trend.
Source: BRES via Nomis, 2020-2024·Last updated March 2026
Housing & Property Market
Estimated house prices for New Forest vs England, 2015-2025.
The median house price of £261,042 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.
Source: HM Land Registry, Census 2021, 2015-2025·Last updated March 2026
Benchmark to national figures
Comparing New Forest to England and Great Britain averages.
New Forest's median earnings of £31,344 are in line with the England average. The claimant rate of 2.5% is lower than the GB average of 3.5%.
Country averages computed from local authority-level data (England: 294 LAs, GB: 348 LAs). May differ slightly from official published national statistics.