OverviewDemographicsEarningsIndustryHousing

Wakefield

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

Wakefield supports 163,590 workplace jobs with median earnings 9% below the England average. Productivity (GVA per job) is ranked 196th of 391 local authorities.

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Population

367,666

↑ 12.9%

England: 58,620,101

Workplace Jobs

163,590

Median Annual Earnings

£29,954

268th of 348

England: £33,080

Median House Price

£249,466

↑ 1.8%268th of 348

England: £290,000

Price-to-Earnings

8.3x

GVA per Job

£60,172

196th 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 367,666. Population has grown by 12.9% over five years, above the England rate of 11.4%.

Population

367,666

England: 58,620,101

Working-Age (16-64)

62.2%

England: 62.9%

Under 16

18.7%

Over 65

19.1%

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

Earnings & Income

Gross annual earnings distribution, 2025.

Median annual earnings of £29,954 are below the England median of £33,080. The 90/10 earnings ratio is 4.9x (England: 6.2x), indicating relatively high wage inequality.

Median Annual

£29,954

England: £33,080

10th Percentile

£11,046

90th Percentile

£54,599

90/10 Ratio

4.9x

Gender Pay Gap

The gender pay gap is 27.6% (male median £34,899, female median £25,266).

Gender Pay Gap

27.6%

England: 28.2%

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

Industry Structure

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

The most specialised sectors are Transport & storage (LQ 2.26) and Manufacturing (LQ 1.61). Transport & storage shows the strongest local competitive advantage. Administrative & support services underperforms its national sectoral trend.

Largest Sector

Wholesale & retail trade

Most Specialised

Transport & storage

England: LQ 2.26

Fastest Growing

Transport & storage

Specialised Sectors

5

England: LQ > 1.25

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

Housing & Property Market

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

The median house price of £249,466 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

£249,466

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 Wakefield to England and Great Britain averages.

Wakefield's median earnings of £29,954 are 9% below the England average of £32,909. House prices are 9% below the England median. The claimant rate of 3.8% is higher than the GB average of 3.5%.

Median earnings

£29,954

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

Median house price

£249,466

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

Claimant rate

3.8%

England: 3.6%
GB: 3.5%

GVA per job

£60,172

England: £61,178(2% below)
GB: £61,125(2% below)

Working-age population

62.2%

England: 62.1%
GB: 61.9%

Population change (5yr)

12.9%

England: 11.5%(1.4pp higher)
GB: 10.3%(2.6pp higher)

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