Population & Deprivation: Ageing population; low deprivation overall but rural isolation risks.
Health Outcomes: Life expectancy above England average; inequalities between MSOAs.
Behavioural Risks: Lower smoking and obesity rates; positive child health indicators.
Disease Burden: Moderate LTC prevalence; ageing trend will increase demand.
Wider Determinants: Low economic activity; housing stability; variable 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.
Wroxham, Stalham and the Broads neighbourhood profile has a predominantly rural population with small market towns and villages. The area’s population is older than the Norfolk & Waveney average, with fewer children and young adults. Socioeconomic deprivation is relatively low overall, but pockets of disadvantage exist, particularly in coastal and isolated communities.
2.2% of the population of Wroxham, Stalham and the Broads 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 Wroxham, Stalham and the Broads include Brundall & Cantley (3.5%) and Wroxham, Rackheath & the Plumsteads (3.5%).
In Wroxham, Stalham and the Broads, 17.5% 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 Wroxham, Stalham and the Broads are estimated to live in poverty according to the Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index (IDACI). In England overall, this is 36.25%. In Wroxham, Stalham and the Broads, 20.1% of pupils from Reception to Year 13 are eligible for free school meals. This is significantly lower than across all schools in Norfolk, where 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 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 Wroxham, Stalham and the Broads neighbourhood, 53.7% of working-age residents were economically active, while 46.3% were economically inactive. These proportions position the area towards the mid-to-lower end of economic activity compared with other neighbourhoods and below both the regional and national averages. Levels of economic activity reported across MSOAs within the Wroxham, Stalham and the Broads neighbourhood during the 2021 Census varied considerably. Within the neighbourhood, Hoverton, Horning and Potter Heigham recorded the lowest proportion of economically active residents aged 16-64 at 45.2%, indicating very high levels of economic inactivity among the working-age population. In contrast, Wroxham, Rackheath and the Plumsteads recorded the highest proportion of economically active residents (59%) among MSOAs within the neighbourhood. However, this was still below the East of England average (61.8%) and slightly below the 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 Wroxham, Stalham and the Broads, the highest employment levels were in Professional occupations (17.5%), Managers, Directors & Senior Officials (14.3%), and Skilled Trades (14.5%). All three were above the Norfolk averages, indicating a strong mix of professional, leadership, and vocational roles in the area.
The lowest levels of employment were in Process, Plant & Machine Operatives (5.9%) and Sales & Customer Service roles (7.3%), both below county and national averages, suggesting fewer residents working in operational or customer-facing occupations compared with county and national averages.
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 Wrexham, Stalham and the Broads neighbourhood recorded a claimant rate of 17.3%, which was significantly lower than 15 of the 19 other neighbourhoods and both the East of England (16.3%) and England average (18%). In August 2025, the proportion of residents (aged 18 to66) claiming Universal Credit varied significantly across MSOAs within the Wroxham, Stalham and the Broads neighbourhood (ranging from 11.2%-18.6%).Stalham and Sea Palling recorded the highest proportion of claimants at 18.6%, significantly more claimants than all other MSOAs within the neighbourhood. This figure was also significantly higher than the East of England (16.3%) average but similar to the England average(18%).Biolfield, Lingwood and Upton reported the lowest proportion of claimants at 11.2%, significantly fewer claimants compared to four 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 Wroxham, Stalham and the Broads neighbourhood had a PIP entitlement rate of 9.2%, significantly lower than nine of the other 19 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 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 Wroxham, Stalham and the Broads neighbourhood varied significantly (ranging from 7.1%-12.1%).Stalham and Sea Palling recorded the highest entitlement rate at 12.1%, significantly higher than five of the other six MSOAs within the neighbourhood. Entitlement in three of seven MSOAs was also significantly above the East of England average (8%) and the England average (8.7%). This suggests that health-related support needs in these MSOAs are considerably higher than both regional and national benchmarks.Brundall and Cantley reported the lowest entitlement rate at 7.1%, significantly lower than three of the other six MSOAs within the area and the England average. However, similar to the East of England average.
Compared to England, Wroxham Stalham and the Broads has a higher proportion of homes owned outright (47.4% vs 32.5%) and a slightly lower proportion with a mortgage (27.3% vs 28.8%). Its combined social renting rate (council and housing association) is 10.8%, which is lower than the national average of 17.1%. The private renting rate (Landlord/rent free/other) at 13.6% is also lower than the England average (20.6%).Compared to the average across neighbourhoods , the Wroxham Stalham and the Broads neighbourhood has a higher proportion of homes owned outright or mortgaged and a lower proportion rented (from social housing or private sector).
Life expectancy is broadly in line with Norfolk averages and above England overall, but inequalities exist between MSOAs for healthy life expectancy. Premature mortality is 21% lower than England, and preventable mortality is 30% lower, reflecting relatively good health outcomes compared to national benchmarks. Life expectancy in Wroxham, Stalham and the Broads is generally higher than the England average and broadly in line with Norfolk overall, reflecting lower deprivation and healthier behaviours.
Only a very small proportion live in Core20 areas. Nevertheless, there is some variation in relative deprivation in the North Norfolk Place Board area, especially among males. Looking at relatively most and least quintiles shows that circulatory, respiratory and digestive diseases cause most of the existing gaps.
Within the Wroxham, Stalham and the Broads neighbourhood area, female healthy life expectancy was lowest in Stalham & Sea Palling and highest in Brundall & Cantley in 2021.
Male healthy life expectancy was lowest in Felmingham, Worstead & Happisburgh and highest in Blofield, Lingwood & Upton and Wroxham, Rackheath & the Plumsteads in 2021.
Within the Wroxham, Stalham and the Broads neighbourhood area, female healthy life expectancy was lowest in Stalham & Sea Palling and highest in Brundall & Cantley in 2021.
Male healthy life expectancy was lowest in Felmingham, Worstead & Happisburgh and highest in Blofield, Lingwood & Upton and Wroxham, Rackheath & the Plumsteads in 2021.
There were 853 deaths of people under the age of 75 in Wroxham, Stalham and the Broads in 2019 - 23. Overall, the rate of premature mortality was 21% lower than the England average. Locally, the highest rate of premature mortality was in Hoveton, Horning & Potter Heigham (Standardised Mortality Ratio = 87.4). The lowest rate was in Blofield, Lingwood & Upton. Four small areas (MSOAs) had a significantly better premature mortality rate than the England average . In 2019 - 23, 347 deaths of people under the age of 75 in Wroxham, Stalham and the Broads were from causes considered preventable. Overall, there was a 30% lower rate of preventable mortality compared to the national average. Locally, the highest rate of preventable mortality was in Acle & Reedham (Standardised Mortality Ratio = 85.6). The lowest rate was in Brundall & Cantley. Five 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 than Norfolk and England averages. Childhood overweight prevalence is among the lowest (Reception: 18.8%, Year 6: 32.1%), suggesting positive early-life health behaviours. However, rural isolation may limit access to physical activity opportunities for some families.
The burden of long-term conditions is moderate compared to coastal and urban areas but will rise with ageing demographics. Cardiovascular disease, dementia and respiratory conditions remain priorities for prevention and management. Unplanned hospital admissions are lower than in deprived areas but still significant for older adults.
This chart shows the estimated number of patients with major long-term conditions within the North Norfolk 4 PCN. Diabetes affects around 3,900 adults, and chronic kidney disease affects 2,200 people.
Stroke and transient ischaemic attack affect approximately 1,400 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 Wroxham, Stalham and the Broads are generally lower than those seen in more deprived coastal and urban areas, reflecting the neighbourhood’s relatively better health outcomes. However, variation exists across MSOAs: older populations in rural and coastal communities contribute to higher admission rates for conditions such as falls.