Plymouth

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

Plymouth supports 118,355 workplace jobs with median earnings 12% below the England average. Productivity (GVA per job) is ranked 256th of 391 local authorities.

Population

272,067

7.0%

England: 58,620,101

Workplace Jobs

118,355

Median Annual Earnings

£28,992

307th of 348

England: £33,080

Median House Price

£241,454

1.8%307th of 348

England: £290,000

Price-to-Earnings

8.3x

GVA per Job

£58,686

256th 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 272,067. Population has grown by 7.0% over five years, significantly below the England rate of 11.4%.

Population

272,067

England: 58,620,101

Working-Age (16-64)

64.2%

England: 62.9%

Under 16

16.9%

Over 65

18.9%

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

Earnings & Income

Gross annual earnings distribution, 2025.

Median annual earnings of £28,992 are below the England median of £33,080.

Median Annual

£28,992

England: £33,080

10th Percentile

£11,081

90th Percentile

N/A

90/10 Ratio

N/A

Gender Pay Gap

The gender pay gap is 28.1% (male median £34,977, female median £25,144).

Gender Pay Gap

28.1%

England: 28.2%

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

Industry Structure

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

The most specialised sectors are Manufacturing (LQ 1.67) and Human health & social work (LQ 1.51). Human health & social work shows the strongest local competitive advantage. Manufacturing underperforms its national sectoral trend.

Largest Sector

Human health & social work

Most Specialised

Manufacturing

England: LQ 1.67

Fastest Growing

Human health & social work

Specialised Sectors

3

England: LQ > 1.25

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

Housing & Property Market

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

The median house price of £241,454 is significantly 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

£241,454

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 Plymouth to England and Great Britain averages.

Plymouth's median earnings of £28,992 are 12% below the England average of £32,909. House prices are 12% below the England median. The claimant rate is in line with the GB average.

Median earnings

£28,992

England: £32,909(12% below)
GB: £32,401(11% below)

Median house price

£241,454

England: £274,076(12% below)
GB: £269,841(11% below)

Claimant rate

3.5%

England: 3.6%
GB: 3.5%

GVA per job

£58,686

England: £61,178(4% below)
GB: £61,125(4% below)

Working-age population

64.2%

England: 62.1%(2.1pp higher)
GB: 61.9%(2.3pp higher)

Population change (5yr)

7.0%

England: 11.5%(4.5pp lower)
GB: 10.3%(3.3pp lower)

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