People's views on work, schools, crime and health are at the heart of a new study into the different communities in Ipswich.
Researchers from University Campus Suffolk collected data at a very local level (the 16 electoral wards) in the town to provide the first ever community profile of its kind.
Among its findings are:
- Although Ipswich is a relatively densely populated area, St Margaret's and Westgate wards near the centre of town have the highest densities (more than 6,000 people per km);
- More people in north-west Ipswich (Whitton and Whitehouse) and in Sprites Ward work in retail than anywhere else in the town. St Margaret's, Rushmere, Bixley and St John's residents provide more public sector and education workers;
- There is more income deprivation in Priory Heath, Gainsborough and Gipping Wards and most children in income-deprived families live in these wards, Whitton and Stoke Park;
- In education, Bixley children perform best at GCSE, while people in Gainsborough and Sprites score least well when it comes to qualifications. The highest proportion of youngsters who go on to Higher Education live in Bixley, St Margaret's, Castle Hill and Rushmere;
- Burglaries per 10,000 population are highest in Holywells, Gipping, Stoke Park, Alexandra, Bridge and Westgate wards;
- Car crime (thefts from vehicles) is worst in Priory Heath, Gipping, Alexandra and Holywells wards while criminal damage per 10,000 population peaks in Gipping and Alexandra;
- Life expectancy for men is highest (84 to 88 years) in Bixley and Castle Hill, for women it is Bixley and Stoke Park;
- When it comes to local populations, Alexandra Ward has a high proportion of people living alone and a high proportion of younger people;
- More homes are being built in Bridge, Holywells and Priory Heath, reflecting the regeneration of the Waterfront, and in Alexandra Ward.
Councillor Liz Harsant, leader of Ipswich Borough Council and Chair of the one-Ipswich Local Strategic Partnership, said: "Detailed data such as this provides a fascinating insight into our town and is essential for planning the work that the one-Ipswich partnership does. We are very pleased with the work that CREATE have done on this study and we look forward to working with them and their colleagues at UCS again in the future."
Commenting on the research Dr Peter Funnell, Director of Enterprise and Executive Dean at UCS said: "I am delighted that through this research the CREATE Research Centre at University Campus Suffolk has been able to make a valuable contribution to understanding the local community. The analysis will help organisations in Ipswich make better use of their existing resources and develop new service and resource strategies in the future. This sort of practical research highlights the benefit of having a local university presence and is an example of one of the many ways UCS will continue to make a difference locally."
Further information on the Local Strategic Partnership for Ipswich is available on the one-ipswich pages.