Recent census data from the Office for National Statistics has provided a detailed profile of the population within a 15-mile radius of Shepton Mallet.

The data offers insights into the age distribution in the area, revealing significant trends when compared to national averages for England.

The total population within this radius is 294,500 people, representing a diverse age range. However, when breaking down the age profiles, it is evident that the area has a higher proportion of older residents compared to the national average.

Key Findings:

• Young Children (0-4 years): The proportion of young children in the Shepton Mallet area is slightly lower than the national average, with 4.8% compared to 5.4% for England as a whole.
• School-Age Children (5-9 years): Similarly, the percentage of school-age children stands at 5.4%, slightly below the national figure of 5.9%.
• Teenagers and Young Adults (10-19 years): The area has a comparable percentage of teenagers and young adults, with 5.9% aged 10-14 and 5.9% aged 15-19, which aligns closely with the national average.
• Young Adults (20-34 years): This age group, which often represents those entering the workforce or higher education, is underrepresented in the Shepton Mallet area. Only 5.6% of the population is aged 20-24, and 5% are aged 25-29, compared to the national averages of 6% and 6.6%, respectively.
• Middle-Aged Residents (35-64 years): The data shows that the Shepton Mallet area has a slightly lower proportion of residents in the 35-44 age bracket. However, the 50-64 age group is notably higher, with 7.4% of the population aged 50-54 and 7.5% aged 55-59, both surpassing the national averages.
• Older Residents (65 and above): The most significant trend is the higher proportion of older residents. The percentage of people aged 65-69 is 6%, compared to 4.9% nationally. Similarly, those aged 70-74 make up 6.4% of the population, and those aged 75-79 represent 4.7%, both higher than the national averages of 5% and 3.6%. The trend continues in the oldest age groups, with 3.2% of the population aged 80-84 (compared to 2.5% nationally) and 3.1% aged 85 and over (compared to 2.4% nationally).

Implications for the Community:

The data suggests that the Shepton Mallet area has a notably ageing population. This could have implications for local services, healthcare provision, and community planning. With a higher proportion of older residents, there may be increased demand for healthcare services, age-friendly infrastructure, and social support networks.

Additionally, the relatively lower proportion of younger adults could impact the local economy, particularly in terms of workforce availability and economic dynamism.

Community leaders and policymakers may need to consider these demographic trends when planning for the future to ensure that the needs of an ageing population are met while also finding ways to attract and retain younger residents.