Population & Deprivation: Ageing population; low deprivation overall but rural isolation risks.
Health Outcomes: Life expectancy above England average; moderate inequalities between MSOAs.
Behavioural Risks: Lower smoking, drinking and obesity rates; average child health indicators.
Disease Burden: Relatively high LTC prevalence due to age profile; ageing trend will further increase demand.
Wider Determinants: Low economic activity; housing stability; average benefit dependency.
There is no single definition of a neighbourhood in the NHS and local authority planning context.
Neighbourhoods can be understood in several ways: Administrative or statistical boundaries such as wards, parishes, or Middle Layer Super Output Areas (MSOAs), which provide stable geographies for data analysis.
Economic centres like market towns or main urban areas, reflecting where people live, work, and access services.
Functional service areas, for example, GP practice or NHS trust catchments, which align with how health and care services are delivered.
Collaborative structures such as Primary Care Networks (PCNs) or integrated care partnerships, which represent groups of organisations working together to serve a defined population.
These neighbourhood profiles draw on recorded data for these areas - whether by GP practice population, PCN, or statistical geography - to provide a shared evidence base for planning, resource allocation, and addressing health inequalities.
The Dereham neighbourhood area is characterised by urban areas near Dereham and Watton surrounded by a predominantly rural area. The population’s age distribution is similar to the Norfolk & Waveney average, though there are fewer young adults and slightly more older people. Socioeconomic deprivation is relatively low overall.
None of the population of Dereham live in small areas that are among the 20% most deprived areas in England (Core20 areas). Across Norfolk and Waveney, 14.4% live in Core20 areas.
Small areas (MSOAs) with the highest proportions of non-White residents in Dereham include Dereham Central & Toftwood (3.4%) and Dereham North & Neatherd (3.3%).
In Dereham, 21.3% of children aged 0-19 live in low-income families, compared to 22.8% across Norfolk and Waveney and 22.2% across England. 30.5% of children aged 0 to 15 in Dereham are estimated to live in poverty according to the Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index (IDACI). In England overall, this is 36.25%. In Dereham, 22.1% of pupils from Reception to Year 13 are eligible for free school meals. This is significantly lower than across all schools in Norfolk, where 23.9% of pupils are eligible.
Economically Active Definition: Aged between 16-64 and either in employment, unemployed but looking for work and could start within two weeks of an offer, or unemployed but waiting to start a job that has been offered and accepted.
During the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 16-64 who were economically active was generally lower across neighbourhoods within Norfolk and Waveney than the averages for both the East of England (61.8% economically active) and England overall (60.9% economically active).Within the Dereham neighbourhood, 56.5% of working-age residents were classified as economically active, while 43.5% were economically inactive. These proportions position the area within the mid-range of economic activity when compared to other neighbourhoods, but still lower than the regional and national averages.
Levels of economic activity reported across MSOAs within the Dereham neighbourhood in the 2021 Census were consistently below the East of England (61.8% active) and England (60.9% active) averages.
Within the neighbourhood, Shipdham, Bradenham and Saham Toney recorded the lowest proportion of economically active residents aged 16-64 at 51.9%, indicating high levels of economic inactivity among the working-age population.
In contrast, Dereham Central recorded the highest proportion of economically active residents (58.5%) among MSOAs within the neighbourhood, though remained below national and regional benchmarks.
Occupation, as recorded in the 2021 Census, is derived from an individual’s main job title and the activities associated with that role. Values are based on the proportion of usual residents aged 16 and over in employment. In the Dereham neighbourhood, the highest levels of employment were in Skilled Trades (13.5%) and Associate Professional and Technical occupations (12.6%) both were above the Norfolk averages, indicating a strong presence of vocational and leadership roles within the local workforce.
The lowest employment levels were in Process, Plant & Machine Operatives (7.5%) which was close to the county average and below the national average, suggesting relatively fewer residents engaged in operational or customer-facing roles compared with national patterns.
Universal Credit is a monthly payment from the government to help with living costs for individuals on a low income or out of work. Eligible individuals must be between 18 and 66 years of age and have less than £16,000 in money, saving and investments. The proportion of residents claiming Universal Credit varies significantly across neighbourhoods. Dereham reported a significantly lower proportion of individual claimants (15.8%) than 13 of the other 19 neighbourhoods during August 2025. In addition, the proportion of claimants was significantly lower than both the East of England (16.3%) and England (18%) averages. In August 2025, the proportion of residents (aged 18 to 66) claiming Universal Credit varied significantly across MSOAs within the Dereham neighbourhood (ranging from 11.3%-21.5%).Dereham Central and Toftwood recorded the highest proportion of claimants at 21.1%, significantly more claimants than any other MSOA within the neighbourhood. This figure was also significantly higher than the East of England (16.3%) average and the England average (18%).Hockering, Mattishall and Cranworth reported the lowest proportion of claimants at 11.3%, significantly fewer claimants compared to four of the other five MSOAs within the area and both the East of England and England average.
Personal Independence Payments (PIP) entitlement statistics covers individuals currently receiving PIP and those whose payments are temporarily suspended (e.g., during a hospital stay).To be eligible for PIP an individual needs to be between 16-66 and have a long-term condition which makes everyday tasks or mobility difficult. PIP provides support through two components: daily living (help with everyday activities) and mobility (help with getting around).
During June 2025, entitlement within the Dereham neighbourhood (9.4%) was broadly aligned with the average across neighbourhoods. Entitlement was also significantly higher than the East of England (8%) and England average (8.7%) indicating significantly higher levels of PIP entitlement in this area compared with regional and national averages
In June 2025, the proportion of residents aged 16 to 66 entitled to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) across MSOAs within the Dereham neighbourhood was broadly consistent.
Dereham Central and Toftwood recorded the highest entitlement rate at 11.6%, while Hockering, Mattishall and Cranworth, and Bawdeswell, Swanton Morley and North Elmham recorded the lowest at 7.4%. Overall, differences between MSOAs within the neighbourhood were not statistically significant.
However, entitlement rates in Dereham Central and Toftwood, Shipdham, Bradenham and Saham Toney, and Dereham North and Neatherd were significantly higher than both the East of England average (8.0%) and the England average (8.7%), indicating above-average levels of PIP entitlement. In contrast, Hockering, Mattishall and Cranworth, and Bawdeswell, Swanton Morley and North Elmham were broadly similar to the East of England average and significantly lower than the England average.
Compared to England, Dereham has a higher proportion of homes owned outright (43.2% vs 32.5%) and a slightly lower proportion with a mortgage (27.1% vs 28.8%). Its combined social renting rate (council and housing association) is 12.8%, which is lower than the national average of 17.1%. The private renting rate (Landlord/rent free/other) at 16.4% is also lower than the England average (20.6%).
Compared to the average across neighbourhoods, Dereham has more homes owned outright and fewer homes that are mortgaged or rented (either privately or socially).
Life expectancy is broadly in line with Norfolk averages and above England overall. Premature mortality is 18% lower than England, and preventable mortality is 29% lower, reflecting relatively good health outcomes compared to national benchmarks. Life expectancy in the Dereham neighbourhood area is generally higher than the England average and slightly higher than Norfolk overall, reflecting average deprivation and healthier behaviours.
There is a large gap in life expectancy between people living in the most and least deprived areas of Breckland district. The leading causes of premature death - circulatory and respiratory conditions, cancer - are more prevalent in relatively more deprived small areas. Targeted prevention and improved access to care are essential.
Within the Dereham neighbourhood area, healthy life expectancy was generally similar to the Norfolk and Waveney average in 2021 and there was little variation between small areas (MSOAs). Within the Dereham neighbourhood area, female healthy life expectancy was lowest in Dereham Central & Toftwood and highest in Hockering, Mattishall & Cranworth in 2021. Male healthy life expectancy was lowest in Dereham Central & Toftwood and highest in Hockering, Mattishall & Cranworth in 2021.
There were 753 deaths of people under the age of 75 in Dereham in 2019-23. Overall, the rate of premature mortality was 18% lower than the England average. Locally, the highest rate of premature mortality was in Dereham Central & Toftwood (Standardised Mortality Ratio = 98.6). The lowest rate was in Shipdham, Bradenham & Saham Toney. Four small areas (MSOAs) had a significantly better premature mortality rate than the England average . In 2019-23, 301 deaths of people under the age of 75 in Dereham were from causes considered preventable. Overall, there was a 29% lower rate of preventable mortality compared to the national average. Locally, the highest rate of preventable mortality was in Dereham Central & Toftwood (Standardised Mortality Ratio = 90.5). The lowest rate was in Hockering, Mattishall & Cranworth. Four small areas (MSOAs) had a significantly better preventable mortality rate than the England average.
Preventable behavioural risk factors have an important impact on ill health and constitute a major challenge for health and social care. Of concern are our rates of smoking, poor diet and exercise, and alcohol consumption. Smoking, obesity, and alcohol-related risks are generally lower for Breckland than the Norfolk and England averages. Childhood overweight prevalence in the local areas is average but rates of emergency hospital admissions for young children are significantly elevated.
The burden of long-term conditions is higher than average, consistent with an older and ageing population.
Cardiovascular disease, dementia, and diet-related endocrine conditions remain priorities for prevention and management.
This chart shows the estimated number of patients with major long-term conditions within the Mid Norfolk PCN. Diabetes affects around 3,800 adults, and chronic kidney disease affects 2,600 people.
Stroke and transient ischaemic attack affect approximately 1,300 people. These figures highlight a significant burden of metabolic and cardiovascular disease, reinforcing the need for integrated prevention and management strategies.
Age-standardised unplanned hospital admission rates in the Dereham neighbourhood area are generally average or lower than those seen in more deprived areas, reflecting the neighbourhood’s relatively better health outcomes when accounting for its older population.