A Profile of Barking and Dagenham
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Barking and Dagenham is located at the heart of the Thames Gateway, approximately 11 miles east of central London.
The most recent figures indicate a population of approximately 166,900, living in just over 69,000 households. The borough is one of the fastest-growing in the country. By 2020 the population is likely to have increased to 174,000 according to the Office of National Statistics (ONS). However, the GLA put a figure of 205,000 this reflects the increased house building taking place in the borough, particularly the Thames Gateway social and physical regeneration such as Barking Riverside, which will bring increased demand for services, together with great opportunities.
At present, 26% of the population is aged 0-16, 62% is aged 17-64 and 12% is aged 65+. The borough has a higher proportion of both older and younger people than the London average.
An important recent change has been the rapid rise in the proportion of the borough’s population which is made up of black and minority ethnic residents. In 1991, only 6.8% of the borough’s population was non-white. This had risen to nearly 15% in 2001, and is now estimated to be approximately 23%. Historically, there has been a stable white, working-class population in many parts of the borough, although in areas of Barking there has been significant ethnic diversity since the 1960s. Increasing diversity offers considerable opportunities, but the pace of change poses a number of real challenges for community cohesion.
The percentage of residents with no qualifications is higher than the London average, and the percentage with degree level qualifications or equivalent, is the lowest in London. Levels of adult basic skills are very low, but are improving. As a result of long-term development, primary and secondary pupils achieve test and examination results close to the national average on measures, and the rate of improvement at GCSE grades 5A*- C since 2002 puts the borough in the top 25 of all authorities.
Barking and Dagenham has high areas of deprivation. Based on the Index of Multiple Deprivation 2007 average rank, our borough is ranked 11th highest of all Local Authorities nationally. The borough has 17 wards of which 5 are ranked within the 10% most deprived wards in England and a total of 14 wards are ranked within the 20% most deprived.
Life expectancy for men and women in the borough is approximately 1.5 years lower than the UK average. The life expectancy for men and women has improved over the past 10 years rising from 73 years to 76.3 years for men and from 78.8 to 80.3 for women. Death rates from major causes are higher than the England average. Though our death rate is reducing and life expectancy over the past 10 years has increased, we need to do more.
Physical Activity Leisure Services with the PCT and others are developing programmes to increase physical activity across the borough as part of a tackling obesity drive, with the borough recently securing free swimming to all residents in the borough 18 years and younger.