Southampton
Economic profile. Data last updated 2026-03-28.
Southampton supports 113,125 workplace jobs with median earnings broadly in line with the England average. Productivity (GVA per job) is ranked 342nd of 391 local authorities.
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 259,424. Population has grown by 11.3% over five years. Working-age population (68.8%) is above 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 £32,907 are in line with the England median of £33,080.
Gender Pay Gap
The gender pay gap is 29.0% (male median £37,299, female median £26,474).
Source: ASHE via Nomis, 2025·Last updated March 2026
Industry Structure
Location quotients and shift-share analysis for Southampton's economy.
The most specialised sectors are Human health & social work (LQ 1.72) and Transport & storage (LQ 1.65). 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 Southampton vs England, 2015-2025.
The median house price of £274,059 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 Southampton to England and Great Britain averages.
Southampton's median earnings of £32,907 are in line with the England average. The claimant rate of 4.3% 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.