Birmingham is the 2nd largest city in the UK in terms of both geographical size and population which currently stands at 1,010,200. The population is very diverse, with 32.75% originating from black or minority ethnic communities (far higher than the national average of 13%). The working age population (male: 16 - 64, female: 16 - 59) of is in line with the national average while the number employed is almost 10% lower than that reported nationally.
Birmingham is at the heart of the United Kingdom’s rail and road networks; however a significant percentage of the population commute by car. Birmingham International Airport “is the UK’s sixth largest Airport, third largest for charter traffic and has the highest proportion of business traffic second only to London Heathrow. In 2006, it handled over nine million passengers through its two terminals and acts as the Midlands’ premier gateway to Europe, Scandinavia, North America, the Middle East and the Indian sub-continent.”
Birmingham has approximately 3,200 hectares of parks and open spaces including a National Nature Reserve (Sutton Park), it’s industrial past however means that it has issues regarding contaminated land and water pollution.
16.4% of Birmingham’s housing stock are council houses. This is significantly higher than the regional and national proportions of 9.6% and 9.4%.
There are over 400 schools in Birmingham, including nursery/infant, primary, secondary and special schools. Educational achievement of GCSE grades from A* - C by pupils at the end of key stage 4, is above regional proportions and in line with the national proportions.
Crime rates in Birmingham has fallen by 20% over the last 5 years, however it is still seen as a high priority for Birmingham City Council.
