Population & Deprivation: Ageing population; low deprivation overall but rural isolation risks.
Health Outcomes: Life expectancy near England average; moderate inequalities between MSOAs.
Behavioural Risks: Higher smoking, drinking and obesity rates; average to worse child health indicators.
Disease Burden: LTC prevalence similar to Norfolk and Waveney average; ageing trend will further increase demand.
Wider Determinants: Low economic activity; average 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.
Downham Market and Villages has a predominantly rural population with small market towns and villages. The area’s age distribution is similar to Norfolk and Waveney overall, albeit with a notably smaller proportion of females in their late teens and early twenties.
Socioeconomic deprivation is relatively low overall, but pockets of disadvantage exist, particularly in isolated communities.
7.5% of the population of Downham Market and Villages 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 Downham Market and Villages include Southery, Feltwell & Hockwold (5.8%) and Downham Market (4.2%).
In Downham Market and Villages, 19.3% of children aged 0-19 live in low-income families, compared to 22.8% across Norfolk and Waveney and 22.2% across England. 28.2% of children aged 0 to 15 in Downham Market and Villages are estimated to live in poverty according to the Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index (IDACI). In England overall, this is 36.25%. In Downham Market and Villages, 22.0% 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 within the Norfolk and Waveney neighbourhoods was generally lower than both the East of England (61.8% economically active) and England average (60.9% economically active).Within the Downham Market and Villages neighbourhood 56.2% of working-age residents were classified as economically active, while 43.8% 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 Downham Market and Villages neighbourhood in the 2021 Census were consistently below the East of England (61.8% active) and England (60.9% active) averages.
Within the neighbourhood, Downham Market recorded the lowest proportion of economically active residents aged 16-64 at 52.4%, indicating high levels of economic inactivity among the working-age population.
In contrast, West Winch, Marham and Shouldham recorded the highest proportion of economically active residents (59.8%) among MSOAs within the neighbourhood, though remained marginally 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 Downham Market and Villages neighbourhood, Skilled Trades occupations represented the largest occupational group, with 14.7% of usual residents aged 16 years and over in employment engaged in these roles. This proportion is noticeably higher than both the Norfolk and England averages, indicating a strong presence of practical, vocational and technically specialised roles within the local labour market.
In contrast, the neighbourhood recorded a lower-than-average share of residents working in professional occupations, relative to both county and national levels. This suggests that the area has a comparatively smaller concentration of workers engaged in higher-skilled, graduate-oriented, or knowledge-based roles, such as those found in leadership, technical, or specialist professional sectors.
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. Downham Market and Villages reported a significantly lower proportion of individual claimants (13.9%) than 15 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 in the Downham Market and Villages neighbourhood ranged from 9.6% to 17.3%, indicating notable variation across MSOAs. Downham Market recorded the highest proportion of claimants at 17.3%, which was significantly higher than three of the four remaining MSOAs in the neighbourhood and above the East of England average of 16.3%, though similar to the England average of 18%. In contrast, West Winch, Marham and Shouldham reported the lowest proportion of claimants at 9.6%, markedly lower than any other MSOA in the area and below both the regional and national averages.
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).
In June 2025, the proportion of residents entitled to PIP in the Downham Market and Villages neighbourhood was 9.2%, which was broadly consistent with the average across neighbourhoods. However, entitlement in this area was higher than both the East of England average (8%) and the England average (8.7%), indicating comparatively elevated levels of PIP entitlement locally when compared with regional and national figures.
In June 2025, the proportion of residents aged 16 to 66 entitled to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) across MSOAs within the Downham Market and Villages neighbourhood differed significantly. Upwell, Delph and Emmeth recorded the highest entitlement rate at 11.3%. This was significantly higher than Southery,Feltwell and Hockwold (8.7%) and West Winch, Marham and Shouldham (6.8%). In addition, entitlement in this MSOA was significantly higher than both the East of England average (8%) and England average (8.7%).
In Contrast, West Winch, Marham and Shouldham, recorded the lowest entitlement rate within the neighbourhood, significantly lower than all other MSOAs in the area as well as East of England and England average, indicating below-average levels of PIP entitlement.
Compared to England, Downham Market and villages has a higher proportion of homes owned outright (43.9% vs 32.5%) and a slightly lower proportion with a mortgage (26.8% vs 28.8%). Its combined social renting rate (council and housing association) is 9.9%, which is lower than the national average of 17.1%. The private renting rate (Landlord/rent free/other) at 19.0% is also slightly lower than the England average (20.6%).
Compared to the average across neighbourhoods, Downham Market and Villages has more homes owned outright or mortgaged. A lower proportion of homes rented privately, and higher portion rented from social housing.
Life expectancy is broadly in line with Norfolk and England, but some inequalities exist between MSOAs. Premature and preventable mortality rates are 13% lower than England, reflecting relatively good health outcomes compared to national benchmarks.
Life expectancy in Downham Market and Villages is generally in line with the England and Norfolk averages, consistent with average levels of deprivation.
There is moderate variation between small areas.
There is a relatively moderate gap in life expectancy between people living in the most and least deprived areas of King’s Lynn & West Norwich district. Nonetheless, the leading causes of premature death - cancer, circulatory and respiratory conditions - are more prevalent in relatively more deprived small areas. Targeted prevention and improved access to care are essential.
Within the Downham Market and Villages neighbourhood area, healthy life expectancy was generally similar to the Norfolk and Waveney average in 2021.
Among the small areas (MSOAs), Downham Market had the lowest healthy life expectancy for males and females.
Within the Downham Market and Villages neighbourhood area, female healthy life expectancy was lowest in Downham Market and Upwell, Delph & Emneth and highest in West Winch, Marham & Shouldham in 2021. Male healthy life expectancy was lowest in Downham Market and highest in West Winch, Marham & Shouldham in 2021.
There were 754 deaths of people under the age of 75 in Downham Market and Villages in 2019 - 23. Overall, the rate of premature mortality was 13% lower than the England average.
Locally, the highest rate of premature mortality was in Downham Market (Standardised Mortality Ratio = 100.4). The lowest rate was in West Winch, Marham & Shouldham. Two neighbourhood areas (MSOAs) had a significantly better premature mortality rate than the England average .
In 2019 - 23, 349 deaths of people under the age of 75 in Downham Market and Villages were from causes considered preventable. Overall, there was a 13% lower rate of preventable mortality compared to the national average.
Locally, the highest rate of preventable mortality was in Downham Market (Standardised Mortality Ratio = 103.2). The lowest rate was in West Winch, Marham & Shouldham which 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 and alcohol-related risks are generally higher in King’s Lynn & West Norfolk than Norfolk. And adult obesity prevalence is a little higher than average. Childhood overweight prevalence in the local areas tends to be a little higher than average.
The burden of long-term conditions is relatively high and will rise further with ageing demographics. Diet-related conditions and cardiovascular disease remain priorities for prevention and management. Generally, unplanned hospital admissions are higher than average, especially in some local areas.
This chart shows the estimated number of patients with major long-term conditions within the Fens and Brecks PCN. Diabetes affects around 4,400 adults, and chronic kidney disease affects 2,300 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.
Generally, unplanned hospital admission rates in the area are higher than average. Admissions for more specific conditions such as falls and injuries are closer to the Norfolk and Waveney averages.
Numbers of ACS asthma, epilepsy and diabetes admissions were too small for rates to be reliably calculated for many small areas.