OverviewDemographicsEarningsIndustryHousing

West Dunbartonshire

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

West Dunbartonshire supports 30,105 workplace jobs with median earnings broadly in line with the England average. Productivity (GVA per job) is ranked 356th of 391 local authorities.

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Population

89,120

↓ 1.9%

England: 58,620,101

Workplace Jobs

30,105

Median Annual Earnings

£31,962

184th of 348

England: £33,080

Median House Price

£266,189

↑ 1.8%184th of 348

England: £290,000

Price-to-Earnings

8.3x

GVA per Job

£54,736

356th 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 89,120. Population has declined by 1.9% over five years, significantly below the England rate of 11.4%.

Population

89,120

England: 58,620,101

Working-Age (16-64)

62.5%

England: 62.9%

Under 16

16.7%

Over 65

20.8%

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

Earnings & Income

Gross annual earnings distribution, 2025.

Median annual earnings of £31,962 are in line with the England median of £33,080.

Median Annual

£31,962

England: £33,080

10th Percentile

£12,655

90th Percentile

N/A

90/10 Ratio

N/A

Gender Pay Gap

The gender pay gap is 29.5% (male median £38,396, female median £27,062).

Gender Pay Gap

29.5%

England: 28.2%

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

Industry Structure

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

The most specialised sectors are Public administration & defence (LQ 2.20) and Human health & social work (LQ 1.69). Manufacturing shows the strongest local competitive advantage. Financial & insurance underperforms its national sectoral trend.

Largest Sector

Human health & social work

Most Specialised

Public administration & defence

England: LQ 2.20

Fastest Growing

Manufacturing

Specialised Sectors

4

England: LQ > 1.25

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

Housing & Property Market

Estimated house prices for West Dunbartonshire vs England, 2015-2025.

The median house price of £266,189 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

£266,189

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 West Dunbartonshire to Scotland and Great Britain averages.

West Dunbartonshire's median earnings of £31,962 are in line with the Scotland average. The claimant rate of 3.8% is higher than the GB average of 3.5%.

Median earnings

£31,962

Scotland: £32,365
GB: £32,401

Median house price

£266,189

Scotland: £269,541
GB: £269,841

Claimant rate

3.8%

Scotland: 2.8%(1pp higher)
GB: 3.5%

GVA per job

£54,736

Scotland: £61,363(11% below)
GB: £61,125(10% below)

Working-age population

62.5%

Scotland: 61.4%(1.1pp higher)
GB: 61.9%(0.6pp higher)

Population change (5yr)

-1.9%

Scotland: 4.0%(5.9pp lower)
GB: 10.3%(12.2pp lower)

Country averages computed from local authority-level data (Scotland: 32 LAs, GB: 348 LAs). May differ slightly from official published national statistics.