OverviewDemographicsEarningsIndustryHousing

Preston

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

Preston supports 99,595 workplace jobs with median earnings 9% below the England average. Productivity (GVA per job) is ranked 192nd of 391 local authorities.

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Population

162,864

↑ 17.3%

England: 58,620,101

Workplace Jobs

99,595

Median Annual Earnings

£30,038

266th of 348

England: £33,080

Median House Price

£250,165

↑ 1.8%266th of 348

England: £290,000

Price-to-Earnings

8.3x

GVA per Job

£60,278

192nd 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 162,864. Population has grown by 17.3% over five years, significantly above the England rate of 11.4%.

Population

162,864

England: 58,620,101

Working-Age (16-64)

65.9%

England: 62.9%

Under 16

19.9%

Over 65

14.3%

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

Earnings & Income

Gross annual earnings distribution, 2025.

Median annual earnings of £30,038 are below the England median of £33,080.

Median Annual

£30,038

England: £33,080

10th Percentile

£10,326

90th Percentile

N/A

90/10 Ratio

N/A

Gender Pay Gap

The gender pay gap is 29.6% (male median £36,402, female median £25,621).

Gender Pay Gap

29.6%

England: 28.2%

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

Industry Structure

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

The most specialised sectors are Public administration & defence (LQ 3.33) and Electricity, gas & air conditioning (LQ 2.22). Public administration & defence shows the strongest local competitive advantage. Administrative & support services underperforms its national sectoral trend.

Largest Sector

Human health & social work

Most Specialised

Public administration & defence

England: LQ 3.33

Fastest Growing

Public administration & defence

Specialised Sectors

3

England: LQ > 1.25

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

Housing & Property Market

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

The median house price of £250,165 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

£250,165

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 Preston to England and Great Britain averages.

Preston's median earnings of £30,038 are 9% below the England average of £32,909. House prices are 9% below the England median. The claimant rate of 4.6% is higher than the GB average of 3.5%.

Median earnings

£30,038

England: £32,909(9% below)
GB: £32,401(7% below)

Median house price

£250,165

England: £274,076(9% below)
GB: £269,841(7% below)

Claimant rate

4.6%

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

GVA per job

£60,278

England: £61,178
GB: £61,125

Working-age population

65.9%

England: 62.1%(3.8pp higher)
GB: 61.9%(4pp higher)

Population change (5yr)

17.3%

England: 11.5%(5.8pp higher)
GB: 10.3%(7pp higher)

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