OverviewDemographicsEarningsIndustryHousing

Somerset

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

Somerset supports 245,145 workplace jobs with median earnings 10% below the England average. Productivity (GVA per job) is ranked 242nd of 391 local authorities.

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Population

588,328

↑ 11.3%

England: 58,620,101

Workplace Jobs

245,145

Median Annual Earnings

£29,908

270th of 348

England: £33,080

Median House Price

£249,083

↑ 1.8%270th of 348

England: £290,000

Price-to-Earnings

8.3x

GVA per Job

£59,211

242nd 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 588,328. Population has grown by 11.3% over five years. Working-age population (57.8%) is below the England average.

Population

588,328

England: 58,620,101

Working-Age (16-64)

57.8%

England: 62.9%

Under 16

16.8%

Over 65

25.4%

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

Earnings & Income

Gross annual earnings distribution, 2025.

Median annual earnings of £29,908 are below the England median of £33,080. The 90/10 earnings ratio is 5.9x (England: 6.2x), indicating relatively high wage inequality.

Median Annual

£29,908

England: £33,080

10th Percentile

£10,040

90th Percentile

£59,148

90/10 Ratio

5.9x

Gender Pay Gap

The gender pay gap is 31.0% (male median £35,484, female median £24,491). This is above the England gap of 28.2%.

Gender Pay Gap

31.0%

England: 28.2%

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

Industry Structure

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

The most specialised sectors are Mining & quarrying (LQ 2.92) and Agriculture, forestry & fishing (LQ 2.86). Administrative & support services shows the strongest local competitive advantage. Transport & storage underperforms its national sectoral trend.

Largest Sector

Wholesale & retail trade

Most Specialised

Mining & quarrying

England: LQ 2.92

Fastest Growing

Administrative & support services

Specialised Sectors

5

England: LQ > 1.25

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

Housing & Property Market

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

The median house price of £249,083 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

£249,083

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 Somerset to England and Great Britain averages.

Somerset's median earnings of £29,908 are 9% below the England average of £32,909. House prices are 9% below the England median. The claimant rate of 2.6% is lower than the GB average of 3.5%.

Median earnings

£29,908

England: £32,909(9% below)
GB: £32,401(8% below)

Median house price

£249,083

England: £274,076(9% below)
GB: £269,841(8% below)

Claimant rate

2.6%

England: 3.6%(1pp lower)
GB: 3.5%(0.9pp lower)

GVA per job

£59,211

England: £61,178(3% below)
GB: £61,125(3% below)

Working-age population

57.8%

England: 62.1%(4.3pp lower)
GB: 61.9%(4.1pp lower)

Population change (5yr)

11.3%

England: 11.5%
GB: 10.3%(1pp higher)

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