Sandwell
Economic profile. Data last updated 2026-03-28.
Sandwell supports 124,910 workplace jobs with median earnings 16% 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 353,860. Population has grown by 15.6% over five years, significantly above the England rate of 11.4%.
Source: ONS Mid-Year Population Estimates, Census 2021, 2024·Last updated March 2026
Earnings & Income
Gross annual earnings distribution, 2025.
Median annual earnings of £27,652 are significantly below the England median of £33,080.
Gender Pay Gap
The gender pay gap is 24.5% (male median £32,233, female median £24,323). This is below the England gap of 28.2%.
Source: ASHE via Nomis, 2025·Last updated March 2026
Industry Structure
Location quotients and shift-share analysis for Sandwell's economy.
The most specialised sectors are Manufacturing (LQ 2.07) and Transport & storage (LQ 1.81). Transport & storage 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 Sandwell vs England, 2015-2025.
The median house price of £230,294 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.
Source: HM Land Registry, Census 2021, 2015-2025·Last updated March 2026
Benchmark to national figures
Comparing Sandwell to England and Great Britain averages.
Sandwell's median earnings of £27,652 are 16% significantly below the England average of £32,909. House prices are 16% significantly below the England median. The claimant rate of 6.8% is higher 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.