Population & Deprivation: Ageing population; average deprivation overall but some pockets of significant deprivation.
Health Outcomes: Life expectancy close to England average; inequalities between MSOAs with low life expectancy for males in some areas.
Behavioural Risks: Lower smoking and drinking but higher obesity rates; child health indicators average.
Disease Burden: High LTC prevalence; ageing trend will further increase demand.
Wider Determinants: Very low economic activity; housing stability; high 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.
Cromer and North Walsham have a much older population than the Norfolk and Waveney average. In three local areas, more than one in three residents are aged 65+.
Locally, the MSOA with the largest estimated overall population growth is Cromer with a 13.3% population increase by 2044.
There are small local pockets of significant deprivation in Cromer and North Walsham.
7.6% of the population of Cromer and North Walsham 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 Cromer and North Walsham include Cromer (2.5%) and North Walsham West (2.5%).
In Cromer and North Walsham, 26.0% of children aged 0-19 live in low-income families, compared to 22.8% across Norfolk and Waveney and 22.2% across England. 38.0% of children aged 0 to 15 in Cromer and North Walsham are estimated to live in poverty according to the Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index (IDACI). In England overall, this is 36.25%. In Cromer and North Walsham, 27.4% of pupils from Reception to Year 13 are eligible for free school meals. This is significantly higher than across all schools in Norfolk, where 23.7% 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.
In 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%) and England overall (60.9%).
Cromer and North Walsham recorded 52.2% of working-age residents economically inactive and 47.8 % economically active, placing it among the least economically active areas, second only to West Norfolk Coastal
Levels of economic activity reported across MSOAs within the Diss, Long Stratton, and Loddon Waveney Valley neighbourhood in the 2021 Census were consistently below the East of England (61.8% active) and the national average for England (60.9% active).
Within the neighbourhood, Mundesley, Trunch and Bacton recorded the lowest proportion of economically active residents aged 16-64 at 43.8%, indicating high levels of economic inactivity among the working-age population.
In contrast, North Walsham West recorded the highest proportion of economically active residents (54.1%) among MSOAs within the neighbourhood, though it 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 Cromer and North Walsham, the highest employment levels were in Skilled Trades (15.3%) and Caring, Leisure & Other Service roles (13.4%). Skilled Trades were notably above both the Norfolk and England averages, indicating a stronger local concentration of trade-based occupations. Caring and service-related roles were also higher than county and national levels, reflecting a comparatively larger workforce in care-focused and community-support roles.
Employment levels were lowest in Process, Plant & Machine Operatives (6.7%) and Administrative & Secretarial roles (8.5%). Additionally, Professional occupations (11.7%) were below both the Norfolk (16.6%) and England (20.3%) averages, suggesting a smaller professional workforce locally than seen regionally and nationally.
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. The Cromer and North Walsham neighbourhood reported one of the highest claimant rates during this period (19.5%), significantly higher than 13 of the 19 other neighbourhoods, but still significantly below top four neighbourhoods for universal claimants. The proportion of claimants in the Cromer and North Walsham neighbourhood was also higher 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 between MSOA areas within the Cromer and North Walsham neighbourhood. North Walsham East recorded the highest proportion of claimants at 23.3%, a significantly higher proportion of claimants than three of the remaining four MSOAs in the neighbourhood.
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 Cromer and North Walsham neighbourhood had a significantly higher proportion of individuals entitled to PIP (12.3%) than 16 of the other 19 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 Cromer and North Walsham neighbourhood varied significantly. Cromer recorded the highest entitlement rate at 14.3%, significantly higher than two of the remaining four MSOAs within the neighbourhood. Overstand, Roughton and the Runtons recorded the lowest PIP entitlement rate at 9.8%, significantly below three of the remaining four MSOAs within the neighbourhood. All MSOAs with the Cromer and Noth Walsham neighbourhood reported PIP entitlement rates significantly higher than the East of England (8%) and the England (8.7%) average, suggesting higher levels of entitlement within each MSOA compared to both regional and national benchmarks.
Compared to England, Cromer and North Walsham has a higher proportion of homes owned outright (48.4% vs 32.5%) and a lower proportion with a mortgage (20% vs 28.8%). Its combined social renting rate (council and housing association) is 13.1%, which is lower than the national average of 17.1%. The private renting rate (Landlord/rent free/other) at 17.9% is also lower than the England average (20.6%).
Compared to other neighbourhoods, Cromer and North Walsham has a higher proportion of homes owned outright, a lower proportion of homes privately or socially rented, and a lower proportion of homes owned with a mortgage.
Life expectancy is broadly in line with England averages, but inequalities exist between MSOAs for mortality rates. Premature mortality is 12% lower than England, and preventable mortality is 20% lower, reflecting relatively good health outcomes compared to national benchmarks. Life expectancy in Cromer and North Walsham is generally in line with the England average and a little lower than Norfolk overall. Life expectancy for males is lower than the Norfolk average for Cromer and North Walsham East.
There is a relatively small gap in life expectancy between people living in the most and least deprived areas of North Norfolk district. Nevertheless, the leading causes of premature death - cancer, respiratory and circulatory conditions - are more prevalent in relatively more deprived small areas. Targeted prevention and improved access to care are essential.
Within the Cromer and North Walsham neighbourhood area, male healthy life expectancy was generally a little below the Norfolk and Waveney average.
Female healthy life expectancy was closer to the Norfolk and Waveney average.
Among the small areas (MSOAs), Overstrand, Roughton & the Runtons has the best healthy life expectancy for males and females.
Within the Cromer and North Walsham neighbourhood area, female healthy life expectancy was lowest in Mundesley, Trunch & Bacton and highest in Overstrand, Roughton & the Runtons in 2021. Male healthy life expectancy was lowest in North Walsham West and highest in Overstrand, Roughton & the Runtons in 2021.
There were 642 deaths of people under the age of 75 in Cromer and North Walsham in 2019 - 23. Overall, the rate of premature mortality was 12% lower than the England average. Locally, the highest rate of premature mortality was in North Walsham East (Standardised Mortality Ratio = 100.1). The lowest rate was in Overstrand, Roughton & the Runtons, which had a significantly better premature mortality rate than the England average. In 2019 - 23, 268 deaths of people under the age of 75 in Cromer and North Walsham were from causes considered preventable. Overall, there was a 20% lower rate of preventable mortality compared to the national average. Locally, the highest rate of preventable mortality was in Cromer (Standardised Mortality Ratio = 84.6). The lowest rate was in Overstrand, Roughton & the Runtons, 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 lower in North Norfolk than Norfolk and England averages. But adult obesity prevalence is a little higher than average. Childhood overweight prevalence in the local areas is average.
The burden of long-term conditions varies greatly between small areas and will rise with ageing demographics. Cardiovascular disease and diseases associated with old age remain priorities for prevention and management. Unplanned hospital admissions are high for Cromer, especially for intentional and alcohol-related harm.
This chart shows the estimated number of patients with major long-term conditions within the North Norfolk 2 PCN. Diabetes affects around 4,700 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.
Unplanned hospital admission rates in the Cromer and North Walsham neighbourhood are generally close to the Norfolk and Waveney average. However, falls in older people and injuries and poisoning in young people tend to be higher than average.
Numbers of ACS asthma, epilepsy and diabetes admissions were too small for rates to be reliably calculated for many small areas.