Wolverhampton
Economic profile. Data last updated 2026-03-28.
Wolverhampton supports 109,060 workplace jobs with median earnings 5% below the England average.
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 281,251. Population has grown by 13.6% over five years, significantly above the England rate of 11.4%.
Source: ONS Mid-Year Population Estimates, Census 2021, 2024·Last updated March 2026
Earnings & Income
Gross annual earnings distribution, 2025.
Median annual earnings of £31,308 are below the England median of £33,080.
Gender Pay Gap
The gender pay gap is 23.0% (male median £34,947, female median £26,907). This is significantly below the England gap of 28.2%.
Source: ASHE via Nomis, 2025·Last updated March 2026
Industry Structure
Location quotients and shift-share analysis for Wolverhampton's economy.
The most specialised sectors are Water supply & waste management (LQ 1.56) and Human health & social work (LQ 1.53). Administrative & support services 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 Wolverhampton vs England, 2015-2025.
The median house price of £260,742 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 Wolverhampton to England and Great Britain averages.
Wolverhampton's median earnings of £31,308 are in line with the England average. The claimant rate of 6.9% 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.