Westmorland and Furness

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

Westmorland and Furness supports 108,420 workplace jobs with median earnings broadly in line with the England average. Productivity (GVA per job) is ranked 207th of 391 local authorities.

Population

230,185

↑ 1.7%

England: 58,620,101

Workplace Jobs

108,420

Median Annual Earnings

£33,988

122nd of 348

England: £33,080

Median House Price

£283,062

↑ 1.8%122nd of 348

England: £290,000

Price-to-Earnings

8.3x

GVA per Job

£59,892

207th 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 230,185. Population has grown by 1.7% over five years, significantly below the England rate of 11.4%. Working-age population (58.6%) is below the England average.

Population

230,185

England: 58,620,101

Working-Age (16-64)

58.6%

England: 62.9%

Under 16

14.8%

Over 65

26.6%

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

Earnings & Income

Gross annual earnings distribution, 2025.

Median annual earnings of £33,988 are in line with the England median of £33,080.

Median Annual

£33,988

England: £33,080

10th Percentile

£10,700

90th Percentile

N/A

90/10 Ratio

N/A

Gender Pay Gap

The gender pay gap is 32.8% (male median £42,016, female median £28,217). This is significantly above the England gap of 28.2%.

Gender Pay Gap

32.8%

England: 28.2%

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

Industry Structure

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

The most specialised sectors are Mining & quarrying (LQ 5.03) and Agriculture, forestry & fishing (LQ 2.96). Manufacturing shows the strongest local competitive advantage. Wholesale & retail trade underperforms its national sectoral trend.

Largest Sector

Manufacturing

Most Specialised

Mining & quarrying

England: LQ 5.03

Fastest Growing

Manufacturing

Specialised Sectors

5

England: LQ > 1.25

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

Housing & Property Market

Estimated house prices for Westmorland and Furness vs England, 2015-2025.

The median house price of £283,062 is in line with 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

£283,062

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 Westmorland and Furness to England and Great Britain averages.

Westmorland and Furness's median earnings of £33,988 are in line with the England average. The claimant rate of 1.9% is lower than the GB average of 3.5%.

Median earnings

£33,988

England: £32,909(3% above)
GB: £32,401(5% above)

Median house price

£283,062

England: £274,076(3% above)
GB: £269,841(5% above)

Claimant rate

1.9%

England: 3.6%(1.7pp lower)
GB: 3.5%(1.6pp lower)

GVA per job

£59,892

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

Working-age population

58.6%

England: 62.1%(3.5pp lower)
GB: 61.9%(3.3pp lower)

Population change (5yr)

1.7%

England: 11.5%(9.8pp lower)
GB: 10.3%(8.6pp lower)

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