Situated in the South - West of the West Midlands region, Wolverhampton is a city of contrasts; vibrant and diverse, city life is combined with areas where deprivation and inequality are major issues. Comprising 821 hectares of open space, the area also plays host to 83 sites of nature conservation value.
The population is currently estimated to be in the region of 236,000. Diverse in nature approximately 22% originate from black or minority ethnic communities (significantly higher than the national average of 13%). It has the 4th largest Sikh community in England and Wales. The number of residents of working age male 16 - 64, female: 16-59) is currently below the national average whilst economic inactivity lies above it
A significant proportion of the labour market is focused in the manufacturing sector.
A quarter of Wolverhampton’s population live in council homes. Over half of these council homes fall below the national standard as set by the government’s decent home standard.
There are 118 schools in Wolverhampton (Including special schools, nursery schools and pupil referral units).
There are also many adult education services catering for over 6000 adults annually.
Key Stage 3, GCSE results, attendance and exclusion rates have improved both faster and above the national average respectively. However, school retention rates (post 16) are still low and the percentage of the population with no qualifications in 2007 was significantly higher than that experienced nationally.
Wolverhampton’s crime rates are currently above the national average. By way of example, dwelling burglaries in Wolverhampton equate to 6.4 per 1,000 of the population compared to 4.3 per 1,000 of the population in England.
