Population & Deprivation: Ageing population; low deprivation overall but rural isolation risks.
Health Outcomes: Life expectancy near Norfolk average; moderate inequalities between MSOAs.
Behavioural Risks: Higher smoking, drinking and obesity rates; average child health indicators.
Disease Burden: High LTC prevalence; ageing trend will further increase demand.
Wider Determinants: Very low economic activity; average benefit dependency; high outright home ownership.
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.
West Norfolk Coastal has a rural population with small market towns and villages. The area’s age distribution is much older than Norfolk and Waveney overall.
Socioeconomic deprivation is relatively low overall, but pockets of disadvantage exist.
4.7% of the population of West Norfolk Coastal 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 West Norfolk Coastal include Hunstanton (2.6%) and Grimston, Gayton & East Winch (2.4%).
In West Norfolk Coastal, 22.8% of children aged 0-19 live in low-income families, compared to 22.8% across Norfolk and Waveney and 22.2% across England. 34.1% of children aged 0 to 15 in West Norfolk Coastal are estimated to live in poverty according to the Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index (IDACI). In England overall, this is 36.25%. In West Norfolk Coastal, 23.4% of pupils from Reception to Year 13 are eligible for free school meals. This is similar to across all schools in Norfolk, where 23.8% 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 West Norfolk Coastal neighbourhood, 46.9% of working-age residents were economically active, while 53.1% were economically inactive. This made West Norfolk Coastal the least economically active neighbourhood, far below both regional and national averages. Levels of economic activity reported across MSOAs within the West Norfolk Coastal neighbourhood during the 2021 Census varied considerably. Within the neighbourhood, Hunstanton recorded the lowest proportion of economically active residents aged 16-64 at 39.1%, indicating very high levels of economic inactivity among the working-age population.In contrast, Grimston, Gayton and East Winch recorded the highest proportion of economically active residents (54.9%) among MSOAs within the neighbourhood, However this was still below the East of England (61.8%) and England average (60.9%). This suggests below-average rates of economic activity across MSOAs compared with regional and national levels.
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 West Norfolk Coastal, the highest levels of employment were in Skilled Trades (15.8%) and Managers, Directors & Senior Officials (15.4%), both above the Norfolk and England averages. This indicates a strong presence of vocational, technical, and leadership-focused roles within the local labour market.
The lowest employment levels were in Process, Plant & Machine Operatives (6.2%) and Sales & Customer Service roles (7.2%), both below county and national averages, suggesting relatively fewer residents working in operational or customer-facing roles compared with wider 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 West Norfolk Coastal neighbourhood recorded a claimant rate of 15.9%, which was significantly lower than 11 of the 19 other neighbourhoods and below the England average (18%). The rate was statistically similar to the East of England average (16.3%). This suggests that economic inactivity in West Norfolk Coastal may be less pronounced than in many other neighbourhoods, though broadly in line with regional trends. In August 2025, the proportion of residents (aged 18 to 66) claiming Universal Credit varied significantly across MSOAs within the West Norfolk Coastal neighbourhood (ranging from 13.6%-20.3%).Hunstanton recorded the highest proportion of claimants at 20.3%, significantly more claimants than three of the other four MSOAs within the neighbourhood. This figure was also significantly higher than the East of England (16.3%) average and the England average(18%).Dersingham, Sandringham and Massingham reported the lowest proportion of claimants at 13.6%, significantly fewer claimants compared to two of the other four 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 West Norfolk Coastal neighbourhood had a PIP entitlement rate of 10.6%, which was broadly consistent with the average across neighbourhoods (average 10.4%). 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 West Norfolk Coastal neighbourhood showed only minor variation (ranging from 10% to 11.6%). Hunstanton recorded the highest entitlement rate at 11.6%, although this was not significantly higher than any other MSOA within the neighbourhood.
Entitlement in all MSOAs was significantly higher than the East of England average (8%) and the England average (8.7%). This suggests that health-related support needs in West Norfolk Coastal are consistently higher than regional and national levels, indicating a higher prevalence of long-term health conditions or disabilities across the neighbourhood.
Compared to England, West Norfolk Coastal has a higher proportion of homes owned outright (50.9% vs 32.5%) and a lower proportion with a mortgage (19.2%vs 28.8%). Its combined social renting rate (council and housing association) is 11.7%, which is lower than the national average of 17.1%. The private renting rate (Landlord/rent free/other) at 17.7% is lower than the England average (20.6%).Compared to the average across neighbourhoods , the West Norfolk Coastal East neighbourhood has a lower proportion of homes mortgaged or rented (from social housing or private sector) and a higher proportion of homes owned outright.
Life expectancy is similar or better than the England average, with good outcomes especially for males. Premature and preventable mortality rates are considerably lower than England, reflecting relatively good health outcomes compared to national benchmarks.
Life expectancy in West Norfolk Coastal is generally in better than England and similar to the Norfolk average, consistent with average levels of deprivation.
There is moderate variation between small areas. The difference between male and female life expectancy is small compared to other areas.
There is a considerable gap in life expectancy between people living in the most and least deprived areas of King’s Lynn & West Norwich district. 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 West Norfolk Coastal neighbourhood area, healthy life expectancy was generally similar to the Norfolk and Waveney average in 2021.
Among the small areas (MSOAs), Hunstanton had the lowest healthy life expectancy for males and females.
Within the West Norfolk Coastal neighbourhood area, female healthy life expectancy was lowest in Hunstanton and highest in Brancaster, Burnham Market & Docking in 2021.
Male healthy life expectancy was lowest in Hunstanton and highest in Brancaster, Burnham Market & Docking in 2021.
There were 657 deaths of people under the age of 75 in West Norfolk Coastal 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 Hunstanton (Standardised Mortality Ratio = 96.2). The lowest rate was in Grimston, Gayton & East Winch. Four small areas (MSOAs) had a significantly better premature mortality rate than the England average . In 2019 - 23, 274 deaths of people under the age of 75 in West Norfolk Coastal were from causes considered preventable. Overall, there was a 25% lower rate of preventable mortality compared to the national average. Locally, the highest rate of preventable mortality was in Heacham & Snettisham (Standardised Mortality Ratio = 88.9). The lowest rate was in Grimston, Gayton & East Winch. Three 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 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 is average, but there are high rates of hospital admissions for young children.
The burden of long-term conditions is high and will rise further with ageing demographics. Cardiovascular disease, respiratory conditions and diet-related risks remain priorities for prevention and management. Generally, unplanned hospital admissions are higher than average.
This chart shows the estimated number of patients with major long-term conditions within the West Norfolk Coastal PCN. Diabetes affects around 2,400 adults, and chronic kidney disease affects 1,900 people.
Stroke and transient ischaemic attack affect approximately 1,100 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.