OverviewDemographicsEarningsIndustryHousing

Waltham Forest

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

Waltham Forest supports 88,145 workplace jobs with median earnings 15% above the England average. Productivity (GVA per job) is ranked 343rd of 391 local authorities.

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Population

279,737

↑ 10.1%

England: 58,620,101

Workplace Jobs

88,145

Median Annual Earnings

£37,971

52nd of 348

England: £33,080

Median House Price

£316,234

↑ 1.8%52nd of 348

England: £290,000

Price-to-Earnings

8.3x

GVA per Job

£55,580

343rd 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 279,737. Population has grown by 10.1% over five years, below the England rate of 11.4%. Working-age population (69.2%) is above the England average.

Population

279,737

England: 58,620,101

Working-Age (16-64)

69.2%

England: 62.9%

Under 16

20.0%

Over 65

10.7%

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

Earnings & Income

Gross annual earnings distribution, 2025.

Median annual earnings of £37,971 are above the England median of £33,080.

Median Annual

£37,971

England: £33,080

10th Percentile

£11,998

90th Percentile

N/A

90/10 Ratio

N/A

Gender Pay Gap

The gender pay gap is 20.3% (male median £41,532, female median £33,106). This is significantly below the England gap of 28.2%.

Gender Pay Gap

20.3%

England: 28.2%

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

Industry Structure

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

The most specialised sector is Administrative & support services (LQ 2.46). Administrative & support services shows the strongest local competitive advantage. Transport & storage underperforms its national sectoral trend.

Largest Sector

Administrative & support services

Most Specialised

Administrative & support services

England: LQ 2.46

Fastest Growing

Administrative & support services

Specialised Sectors

1

England: LQ > 1.25

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

Housing & Property Market

Estimated house prices for Waltham Forest vs England, 2015-2025.

The median house price of £316,234 is above 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

£316,234

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 Waltham Forest to England and Great Britain averages.

Waltham Forest's median earnings of £37,971 are 15% significantly above the England average of £32,909. House prices are 15% significantly above the England median. The claimant rate of 6.7% is higher than the GB average of 3.5%.

Median earnings

£37,971

England: £32,909(15% above)
GB: £32,401(17% above)

Median house price

£316,234

England: £274,076(15% above)
GB: £269,841(17% above)

Claimant rate

6.7%

England: 3.6%(3.1pp higher)
GB: 3.5%(3.2pp higher)

GVA per job

£55,580

England: £61,178(9% below)
GB: £61,125(9% below)

Working-age population

69.2%

England: 62.1%(7.1pp higher)
GB: 61.9%(7.3pp higher)

Population change (5yr)

10.1%

England: 11.5%(1.4pp lower)
GB: 10.3%

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