Dorset

Key figures

16 of 16 measures have a published figure for Dorset. Each figure is the publisher’s own, for the period named beside it.

Why the population is changing

The ONS breaks the year’s population change into its components (Year to mid-2025). These are its published figures for Dorset, not our estimates.

• 2,500 births and 5,059 deaths: natural change reduced the population by 2,559.
• Moves within the UK (net) added 4,078 people.
• International migration (net) added 113 people.
• The ONS’s balancing item (“Other”, mainly armed forces and prisoner adjustments) added 63.
• Altogether the population grew by 1,695 over the year (the sum of the components above — our addition of the ONS’s published figures).

Each component is a series in its own right: births, deaths, moves within the UK and international migration.

Population change, year by year

The same decomposition for every published year in Dorset: births and deaths, net moves within the UK, net international migration, and the ONS’s balancing item.

Years to mid-2024 are the ONS’s rebased back series, made consistent with Census 2021 — its figures deliberately differ from the estimates published at the time. Every cell is a published figure; the total is the sum of net moves, natural change and other, which is our addition. A dash is a year the source does not publish for this area, never a zero.

Rates per 1,000 residents

The same population flows, adjusted for Dorset’s size, so they can be compared with any other area’s: each year’s flow divided by the population that mid-year, times 1,000.

A Civometry calculation, not a published figure: ONS publishes these flows and the population, but not the rates. Net rates are signed — below zero means more left than arrived. Rates are crude, not age-standardised, so areas with very different age structures still differ for reasons size cannot remove. Each link shows the full recipe and every year.

Pay against housing costs

How pay in Dorset moved over its latest published year, beside how the cost of buying and renting moved over theirs. The three series come from different publishers on different timetables, so each row covers its own year, named in the row.

Pay rose faster than both the house price and the rent over these periods.

Levels are the publishers’ own (ONS ASHE median annual pay for full-time employees living in the area; HM Land Registry UK House Price Index; ONS Price Index of Private Rents). The percentage changes are Civometry arithmetic on the two published values in each row. Pay is a survey of employees and says nothing about a particular household; one year is weather, not climate.

Who runs the council

Liberal Democrat and Green coalition (2026) — Liberal Democrat 41, Conservative 29, Other and independent 6, Green 4, Labour 2 of 82 seats.

Since 2016: Conservative (2016–2023); Liberal Democrat (2024); Liberal Democrat and Green coalition (2025–2026)

Not an official statistic. Compiled by Open Council Data UK, an independent project, not by any government department: no official body publishes council political control. Councils are matched to GSS codes by name here; county councils and districts abolished before the current boundaries are not included. This is the one dataset on the site that is not read from an official publication, and every page that shows it says so. Source: Open Council Data UK (CC0).

Between the censuses

How Dorset’s religion, ethnic-group and country-of-birth make-up changed between the 2011 and 2021 censuses, category by category. The two censuses compared.

Crime

20,615 recorded offences in the 12 months to June 2026, 52.7 per 1,000 residents. Full crime profile, by category and month.

Published for this area

• Median annual pay, full-time employees, by area of residence2025 · up 7.7% on a year earlier · ONS, published 23 October 2025£37,462
• Births by local authorityYear to mid-2025 · ONS, published 29 July 20262,500people
• Census 2011 country of birthCensus 2011 · ONS, published 30 January 2013365,153people
• Census 2021 country of birthCensus 2021 · ONS, published 2 November 2022379,579people
• Census 2011 ethnic group (detailed)Census 2011 · ONS, published 2 September 2026365,153people
• Census 2021 ethnic group (detailed)Census 2021 · ONS, published 2 September 2026379,580people
• Census 2011 ethnic group (five broad groups)Census 2011 · ONS, published 2 September 2026365,153people
• Census 2021 ethnic group (five broad groups)Census 2021 · ONS, published 2 September 2026379,580people
• Census 2021 ethnic group by age bandCensus 2021 · ONS, published 2 September 2026379,562people
• Census 2011 usual residentsCensus 2011 · ONS, published 2 September 2026365,153people
• Census 2021 usual residentsCensus 2021 · ONS, published 2 September 2026379,579people
• Census 2011 religionCensus 2011 · ONS, published 2 September 2026365,153people
• Census 2021 religionCensus 2021 · ONS, published 2 September 2026379,579people
• People claiming unemployment-related benefitsJuly 2026 · up 1.2% on a year earlier · ONS, published 18 August 20264,915people
• Claimants as a proportion of residents aged 16 to 64July 2026 · unchanged 0.0 points on a year earlier · ONS, published 18 August 20262.3%
• Band D council tax by billing authorityYear ending March 2027 · up 5.1% on a year earlier · MHCLG, published 25 March 2026£2,765
• Deaths by local authorityYear to mid-2025 · ONS, published 29 July 20265,059people
• Mean domestic electricity consumption per meter2024 · DESNZ, published 18 December 20253,546kWh a year
• Employment deprivation rate2025 · MHCLG, published 17 November 202510.9%
• Mean domestic gas consumption per meter2024 · DESNZ, published 5 May 202610,362kWh a year
• House price annual changeJune 2026 · up 3.8 points on a year earlier · HM Land Registry, published 20 August 20261.6%
• Average house priceJune 2026 · up 1.6% on a year earlier · HM Land Registry, published 20 August 2026£325,410
• Deprivation: IMD average score2025 · MHCLG, published 17 November 202516.3
• Deprivation: share of small areas in England's most deprived tenth2025 · MHCLG, published 17 November 20252.2%
• Income deprivation rate2025 · MHCLG, published 17 November 202516.4%
• Net internal migration by local authorityYear to mid-2025 · ONS, published 29 July 20264,078people
• International migration into a local authorityYear to mid-2025 · ONS, published 29 July 20261,747people
• Net international migration by local authorityYear to mid-2025 · ONS, published 29 July 2026113people
• International migration out of a local authorityYear to mid-2025 · ONS, published 29 July 20261,634people
• Births minus deaths by local authorityYear to mid-2025 · ONS, published 29 July 2026-2,559people
• Other population change by local authorityYear to mid-2025 · ONS, published 29 July 202663people
• Population by local authorityMid-2024 · up 1.0% on a year earlier · ONS, published 26 September 2025389,947people
• Private rent annual changeJuly 2026 · up 0.4 points on a year earlier · ONS, published 19 August 20264.8%
• Average private rent a monthJuly 2026 · up 4.8% on a year earlier · ONS, published 19 August 2026£1,051
• Median weekly pay, full-time employees, by area of residence2025 · up 6.4% on a year earlier · ONS, published 23 October 2025£737

National figures that apply here

These are not measured for Dorset; they are the figure for the nation or the UK, shown because they apply to everyone in it.

• Average Band D council tax (England average)Year ending March 2027 · up 4.9%£2,392
• Unemployment rate (UK)2026 Q2 · up 0.2 points4.9%
• Universal Credit caseload (Great Britain)Year ending March 2025 · up 16.3%5,473,000households
• Persistent absence (England)2024/25 academic year · down 1.8 points18.1%
• Average annual electricity bill (UK)2025 · down 1.3%£1,069

Then and now

The first and last years published for Dorset, and the difference between the two. Both figures are published for this area; the difference is those two numbers subtracted, which you can check by hand.

• £2,119Year ending March 2021→£2,765Year ending March 2027

  Band D council tax by billing authority

  In Dorset, band D council tax by billing authority rose from £2,119 in the year ending March 2021 to £2,765 in the year ending March 2027, a change of £646 or 30.5%, in cash terms, not adjusted for inflation (MHCLG).

  How this figure was worked out

  £2,765 in the year ending March 2027 − £2,119 in the year ending March 2021 = £646, which is 30.5% of the figure for the year ending March 2021.

  The two ends are rounded for display. The published figures are 2,765.02 and 2,118.86, and 2,765.02 − 2,118.86 = 646.16.

  7 published years spanning 6 years, from MHCLG. Years before the current series come from Band D council tax by billing authority, 2020-21 to 2024-25, held as a separate series so the two are never mixed inside one figure. Cash terms: these are the amounts as published, not adjusted for inflation.

  In Dorset, band D council tax by billing authority rose from £2,119 in the year ending March 2021 to £2,765 in the year ending March 2027, a change of £646 or 30.5%, in cash terms, not adjusted for inflation (MHCLG).

  Copy with source

• £22,3532008→£37,4622025

  Median annual pay, full-time employees, by area of residence

  In Dorset, median annual pay, full-time employees, by area of residence rose from £22,353 in 2008 to £37,462 in 2025, a change of £15,109 or 67.6%, in cash terms, not adjusted for inflation (ONS).

  How this figure was worked out

  £37,462 in 2025 − £22,353 in 2008 = £15,109, which is 67.6% of the figure for 2008.

  18 published years spanning 17 years, from ONS. Years before the current series come from Median annual pay, full-time employees, by area of residence, 2002 to 2023, held as a separate series so the two are never mixed inside one figure. Cash terms: these are the amounts as published, not adjusted for inflation.

  In Dorset, median annual pay, full-time employees, by area of residence rose from £22,353 in 2008 to £37,462 in 2025, a change of £15,109 or 67.6%, in cash terms, not adjusted for inflation (ONS).

  Copy with source

• £4422008→£7372025

  Median weekly pay, full-time employees, by area of residence

  In Dorset, median weekly pay, full-time employees, by area of residence rose from £442 in 2008 to £737 in 2025, a change of £295 or 66.7%, in cash terms, not adjusted for inflation (ONS).

  How this figure was worked out

  £737 in 2025 − £442 in 2008 = £295, which is 66.7% of the figure for 2008.

  The two ends are rounded for display. The published figures are 737.10 and 442.20, and 737.10 − 442.20 = 294.90.

  18 published years spanning 17 years, from ONS. Years before the current series come from Median weekly pay, full-time employees, by area of residence, 2002 to 2023, held as a separate series so the two are never mixed inside one figure. Cash terms: these are the amounts as published, not adjusted for inflation.

  In Dorset, median weekly pay, full-time employees, by area of residence rose from £442 in 2008 to £737 in 2025, a change of £295 or 66.7%, in cash terms, not adjusted for inflation (ONS).

  Copy with source

• 2,174Year to mid-2012→4,078Year to mid-2025

  Net internal migration by local authority

  In Dorset, net internal migration by local authority rose from 2,174 in Year to mid-2012 to 4,078 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 1,904 or 87.6% (ONS).

  How this figure was worked out

  4,078 in Year to mid-2025 − 2,174 in Year to mid-2012 = 1,904, which is 87.6% of the figure for Year to mid-2012.

  14 published years spanning 13 years, from ONS. Years before the current series come from Internal migration net by local authority, 2012 to 2024, held as a separate series so the two are never mixed inside one figure.

  In Dorset, net internal migration by local authority rose from 2,174 in Year to mid-2012 to 4,078 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 1,904 or 87.6% (ONS).

  Copy with source

• 1,158Year to mid-2012→1,747Year to mid-2025

  International migration into a local authority

  In Dorset, international migration into a local authority rose from 1,158 in Year to mid-2012 to 1,747 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 589 or 50.9% (ONS).

  How this figure was worked out

  1,747 in Year to mid-2025 − 1,158 in Year to mid-2012 = 589, which is 50.9% of the figure for Year to mid-2012.

  14 published years spanning 13 years, from ONS. Years before the current series come from International migration in by local authority, 2012 to 2024, held as a separate series so the two are never mixed inside one figure.

  In Dorset, international migration into a local authority rose from 1,158 in Year to mid-2012 to 1,747 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 589 or 50.9% (ONS).

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• 1,315Year to mid-2012→1,634Year to mid-2025

  International migration out of a local authority

  In Dorset, international migration out of a local authority rose from 1,315 in Year to mid-2012 to 1,634 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 319 or 24.3% (ONS).

  How this figure was worked out

  1,634 in Year to mid-2025 − 1,315 in Year to mid-2012 = 319, which is 24.3% of the figure for Year to mid-2012.

  14 published years spanning 13 years, from ONS. Years before the current series come from International migration out by local authority, 2012 to 2024, held as a separate series so the two are never mixed inside one figure.

  In Dorset, international migration out of a local authority rose from 1,315 in Year to mid-2012 to 1,634 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 319 or 24.3% (ONS).

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• -157Year to mid-2012→113Year to mid-2025

  Net international migration by local authority

  In Dorset, net international migration by local authority rose from -157 in Year to mid-2012 to 113 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 270 or 172.0% (ONS).

  How this figure was worked out

  113 in Year to mid-2025 − -157 in Year to mid-2012 = 270, which is 172.0% of the figure for Year to mid-2012.

  14 published years spanning 13 years, from ONS. Years before the current series come from International migration net by local authority, 2012 to 2024, held as a separate series so the two are never mixed inside one figure.

  In Dorset, net international migration by local authority rose from -157 in Year to mid-2012 to 113 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 270 or 172.0% (ONS).

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• 3,296Year to mid-2012→2,500Year to mid-2025

  Births by local authority

  In Dorset, births by local authority fell from 3,296 in Year to mid-2012 to 2,500 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 796 or 24.2% (ONS).

  How this figure was worked out

  2,500 in Year to mid-2025 − 3,296 in Year to mid-2012 = −796, which is 24.2% of the figure for Year to mid-2012.

  14 published years spanning 13 years, from ONS. Years before the current series come from Births by local authority, 2012 to 2024, held as a separate series so the two are never mixed inside one figure.

  In Dorset, births by local authority fell from 3,296 in Year to mid-2012 to 2,500 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 796 or 24.2% (ONS).

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• 4,121Year to mid-2012→5,059Year to mid-2025

  Deaths by local authority

  In Dorset, deaths by local authority rose from 4,121 in Year to mid-2012 to 5,059 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 938 or 22.8% (ONS).

  How this figure was worked out

  5,059 in Year to mid-2025 − 4,121 in Year to mid-2012 = 938, which is 22.8% of the figure for Year to mid-2012.

  14 published years spanning 13 years, from ONS. Years before the current series come from Deaths by local authority, 2012 to 2024, held as a separate series so the two are never mixed inside one figure.

  In Dorset, deaths by local authority rose from 4,121 in Year to mid-2012 to 5,059 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 938 or 22.8% (ONS).

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• -825Year to mid-2012→-2,559Year to mid-2025

  Births minus deaths by local authority

  In Dorset, births minus deaths by local authority fell from -825 in Year to mid-2012 to -2,559 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 1,734 or 210.2% (ONS).

  How this figure was worked out

  -2,559 in Year to mid-2025 − -825 in Year to mid-2012 = −1,734, which is 210.2% of the figure for Year to mid-2012.

  14 published years spanning 13 years, from ONS. Years before the current series come from Natural change by local authority, 2012 to 2024, held as a separate series so the two are never mixed inside one figure.

  In Dorset, births minus deaths by local authority fell from -825 in Year to mid-2012 to -2,559 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 1,734 or 210.2% (ONS).

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• -517Year to mid-2012→63Year to mid-2025

  Other population change by local authority

  In Dorset, other population change by local authority rose from -517 in Year to mid-2012 to 63 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 580 or 112.2% (ONS).

  How this figure was worked out

  63 in Year to mid-2025 − -517 in Year to mid-2012 = 580, which is 112.2% of the figure for Year to mid-2012.

  14 published years spanning 13 years, from ONS. Years before the current series come from Other population change by local authority, 2012 to 2024, held as a separate series so the two are never mixed inside one figure.

  In Dorset, other population change by local authority rose from -517 in Year to mid-2012 to 63 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 580 or 112.2% (ONS).

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Compare Dorset with another place

Every figure both areas publish, side by side, from its own publisher with the period named:

• Dorset and Birmingham
• Dorset and Leeds
• Dorset and North Yorkshire
• Dorset and Somerset
• Dorset and Cornwall
• Dorset and Buckinghamshire

Or open any two areas as /compare/places/<area>/<area> — the address carries the whole comparison.

Nearby areas

The closest other local authorities, each with its own report card and a side-by-side comparison:

• Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole · compare
• East Devon · compare
• New Forest · compare
• Somerset · compare
• Wiltshire · compare

Areas like Dorset

The local authorities whose published rents, pay, house prices, council tax and claimant count sit closest to Dorset’s, wherever they are in the UK. Computed from the figures, not curated.

• East Lothian · compare
• West Devon · compare
• Mid Devon · compare
• Teignbridge · compare
• South Hams · compare
• Rother · compare

Since you moved here

Pick the year you arrived, and see what every series published for Dorset said then and says now, with the periods named. Dorset since you moved here, or read the whole run year by year.

Where these figures come from

Every figure above is published by the body named here, for the release named here. Figures marked as a Civometry calculation are arithmetic on those published figures and are not official statistics.

Not yet published here

Income, employment, benefits by area, health, education and religion for Dorset are on the way where an open official source exists; where one does not, the data gaps register says why. Local claimant counts are behind a login.