Population & Deprivation: Large variation in deprivation, ranging from the most to the least deprived national deciles.
Overall average levels of child poverty and Free School Meal eligibility, but there is stark local socioeconomic variation.
Health Outcomes: Life expectancy overall similar to the England average; but strong inequalities across Norwich (8-year gap for men, 6-year gap for women).
Premature and preventable mortality similar to national average; but areas with worst outcomes have rates up to 30-50% worse than national averages.
Behavioural Risks: Smoking slightly higher, alcohol-related admissions much higher, and obesity rates lower than Norfolk and England averages. Likely partly explained by demographic differences.
Childhood overweight among the lowest within Norfolk and Waveney.
Disease Burden: Prevalence of some long-term conditions higher than Norfolk and Waveney averages (osteoporosis, mental health, learning difficulties), other conditions with lower than national prevalence (e.g. cancer, COPD).
Wider Determinants: Average economic activity 61.1% (England 60.9%). Large variation locally.
Average Universal Credit (16.8%) and PIP entitlement (9.2%). Large variation locally.
Generally good access to healthcare. But poor accessibility of childcare.
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.
Natural communities or 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.
Norwich East has an age profile that is characterised by a considerably younger population than that of Norfolk & Waveney as a whole. Heartsease and Pilling Park has the largest proportion of children (almost 1 in 5 aged under 16), whereas more than one in four are aged 65+ in Thorpe St. Andrew North.
Locally, the MSOA with the largest estimated overall population growth is Thorpe St Andrew North with a 16.4% population increase by 2044.
There is stark variation in deprivation between local areas.
11.6% of the population of Norwich East 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 Norwich East include City Centre East (18.9%) and Thorpe Hamlet & Mousehold South (9.2%).
In Norwich East, 20.4% of children aged 0-19 live in low-income families, compared to 22.8% across Norfolk and Waveney and 22.2% across England. 28.0% of children aged 0 to 15 in Norwich East are estimated to live in poverty according to the Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index (IDACI). In England overall, this is 36.25%. In Norwich East, 21.0% of pupils from Reception to Year 13 are eligible for free school meals. This is significantly lower than across all schools in Norfolk, where 24.0% 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 had 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 Norwich East neighbourhood 61.1% of working-age residents were classified as economically active, while 38.9% were economically inactive. This placed the area among the more economically active neighbourhoods, above the national average but below the regional average.
Levels of economic activity reported across MSOAs within the Norwich East neighbourhood during the 2021 Census varied considerably. Within the neighbourhood, Heartsease and Pilling Park recorded the lowest proportion of economically active residents aged 16-64 at 43.9%, indicating high levels of economic inactivity among the working-age population.
In contrast, Thorpe Hamlet and Mousehold South recorded the highest proportion of economically active residents (67.3%) among MSOAs within the neighbourhood. This MSOA, along with City Centre East (67.1%) and Thorpe St Andrews South and Dussindale (63.6%), exceeded both the East of England average (61.8%) and the England average (60.9%). This suggests that economic activity in these areas is notably higher than regional and national 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 Norwich South, professional occupations represented the largest occupational group, accounting for 27.8% of usual residents aged 16 years and over in employment. This proportion is substantially higher than both Norfolk (16.6%) and England (20.3%), highlighting a high concentration of higher-skilled roles within the local labour market. In addition, employment in associate professional and technical roles (13.5%) was slightly above Norfolk (11.8%) and similar to England (13.3%), reinforcing the area’s professional profile.
Conversely, Norwich South recorded lower proportions of residents employed in skilled trades (7.1%) and process, plant and machine operative roles (4.9%) compared with Norfolk (12.8% and 8.0% respectively) and England (10.2% and 6.9%). Employment in caring, leisure, and other service roles (8.8%) and administrative and secretarial roles (7.7%) was also below Norfolk and England averages. This suggests that Norwich South has a relatively low concentration of routine and manual occupations, reflecting a labour market that is more professional compared to county and 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 Graph shows the proportion of the population (aged 18-66) claiming Universal Credit across different neighbourhoods in Norfolk during August 2025. The proportion of residents claiming Universal Credit varies across neighbourhoods. In August 2025, the Norwich East neighbourhood recorded a claimant rate of 16.8%, which was significantly lower than six of the 19 other neighbourhoods and below the England average (18%). However, the rate remained marginally above the East of England average (16.3%).
In August 2025, the proportion of residents (aged 18 to 66) claiming Universal Credit varied significantly across MSOAs within the Norwich East neighbourhood (ranging from 10.5%-28.3%).
Heartsease and Pilling Park recorded the highest proportion of claimants at 28.3%, significantly more claimants than all other MSOAs within the neighbourhood. This figure was also significantly higher than the East of England (16.3%) average and the England average (18%).
Thorpe St Andrews North reported the lowest proportion of claimants at 10.5%, significantly fewer claimants compared to five of the other six 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, the Norwich East neighbourhood had a significantly lower proportion of individuals entitled to PIP (9.2%) than eight neighbourhoods and a similar proportion to five other neighbourhoods. Entitlement in this area was also higher than the East of England average (8%) and the England average (8.7%). This suggests that PIP entitlement levels in Norwich East are elevated 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 Norwich East neighbourhood varied significantly (ranging from 6.3%-15.9%).
Heartsease and Pilling Park recorded the highest entitlement rate at 15.9%, significantly higher than all other MSOAs within the neighbourhood. This figure was also significantly higher than the East of England (16.3%) average and the England average (18%).Thorpe St Andrew South and Dussindale reported the lowest entitlement rate at 6.3%, significantly lower than five of the other six MSOAs within the area and both the East of England and England average.
Compared to England, Norwich East has a slightly higher proportion of homes owned outright (34% 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 18.3%, which is higher than the national average of 17.1%. The private renting rate (Landlord/rent free/other) at 20.3% is slightly lower than the England average (20.6%).
Compared to the average across neighbourhoods , the Norwich East neighbourhood has a higher proportion of homes mortgaged or rented (from social housing or privately) and a lower proportion of homes owned outright.
Within Norwich East, there are local areas that have significantly longer life expectancy than the England average, but other areas have significantly worse mortality outcomes. Specifically, Heartsease and Pilling Park has high rates of early and preventable mortality.
There is considerable variation in life expectancy across small areas within Norwich East, alongside variation in multiple deprivation.
Heartsease and Pilling Park has the lowest life expectancy, significantly lower than the Norfolk and England averages.
Females live longer than males in all areas.
There is a large gap in life expectancy between people living in the most and least deprived areas of Norwich Place Board (former CCG). 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.
As for other indicators, there is substantial variation between local areas with regards to healthy life expectancy.
Residents of Heartsease and Pilling Park have lower healthy life expectancy than the Norfolk and Waveney average.
Within the Norwich East neighbourhood area, female healthy life expectancy was lowest in Heartsease & Pilling Park and highest in Sprowston Central in 2021.
Male healthy life expectancy was lowest in Heartsease & Pilling Park and highest in Thorpe St Andrew South & Dussindale in 2021.
There were 766 deaths of people under the age of 75 in Norwich East in 2019 - 23. Overall, the rate of premature mortality was 4% lower than the England average but there was large variation between local areas.
Locally, the highest rate of premature mortality was in Heartsease & Pilling Park (Standardised Mortality Ratio = 133.2). The lowest rate was in Sprowston East. Three local areas (MSOAs) had a significantly better premature mortality rate than the England average .
In 2019 - 23, 362 deaths of people under the age of 75 in Norwich East were from causes considered preventable. Overall, there was a 3% lower rate of preventable mortality compared to the national average but there was large variation between local areas.
Locally, the highest rate of preventable mortality was in Heartsease & Pilling Park (Standardised Mortality Ratio = 148.1). The lowest rate was in Thorpe St Andrew South & Dussindale. Three local 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.
Behavioural risk factors such as smoking, poor diet, physical inactivity, and alcohol consumption contribute to preventable disease and health inequalities.
Children – Childhood weight is generally lower than or similar to the England average, though there is some variation between small areas.
Adults – Smoking prevalence across Norwich is similar to Norfolk and England averages.
Alcohol-specific hospital admissions are increased compared to regional and national benchmarks.
A smaller proportion of adults are overweight or obese.
All these factors are likely in part explained by the younger demographic in Norwich compared to other areas.
Environmental and Social Factors – A few local areas show elevated hospital admissions for children under 5.
Behavioural risks are preventable, highlighting opportunities for targeted community and family-based interventions.
Implications – High prevalence of behavioural risks in some local areas contributes to disease burden (injuries, chronic disease).
Tackling smoking, diet and physical activity could significantly reduce health inequalities and improve long-term outcomes.
Overall rates of emergency hospital admissions are similar to or lower than the England average.
But there are local areas with a high burden of alcohol- or mental health-related issues and some with a high rate of CVD-related admissions.
This chart shows the estimated number of patients with major long-term conditions within the Norwich East PCN. Diabetes affects around 5,400 adults, and chronic kidney disease affects 3,400 people.
Stroke and transient ischaemic attack affect approximately 1,600 people. These figures highlight a significant burden of metabolic and cardiovascular disease, reinforcing the need for integrated prevention and management strategies.
As for other indicators, there is a large spread of Norwich East MSOAs across the scale for most hospital admission measures.
City Centre East had the highest rate of hospital admissions for injury and poisoning out of all MSOAs in Norfolk and Waveney.
Numbers of ACS asthma, epilepsy and diabetes admissions were too small for rates to be reliably calculated.