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Diversity Topic Data

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There are many definitions available for the term 'diversity' but they all cover the same fundamental issues. These include the recognition of differences, respecting those differences and appreciating the fact that different perspectives are valuable and can bring real benefits to society in general.

You can learn more about equality and diversity across Dorset on the Dorset Council Equality and Diversity pages.

There are nine protected characteristics to which the general public sector equality duty apply:

  • Age
  • Disability
  • Sex
  • Religion & Belief
  • Gender Reassignment
  • Sexual Orientation
  • Marriage & Civil Partnership
  • Pregnancy & Maternity
  • Race
Download this report (PDF)

Age & Religion

  • Dorset has a much smaller working age population at 55% compared to 63% in England and Wales1.
  • The five major non-Christian world religions Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism and Sikhism make up 1% of Dorset's population2.
  • Dorset’s main non-Christian religious groups are mostly found in the county’s towns2.

Ethnic minorities2

  • 6% of Dorset residents are from an ethnic minority compared to 20% nationally.
  • 40% of Dorset’s ethnic minority population are ‘White Other’—people who identify as white but not as British (for example, Polish or Bulgarian).
  • Mixed or multiple ethnic groups make up 19% of Dorset’s ethnic minorities.
  • Asian or Asian British groups account for 18% of the ethnic minority population in the Dorset Council area.
Diversity chart
Makeup of non-White British residents in Dorset

Disability

  • 20% of Dorset residents have a long-term health problem or disability2.
  • 11% of Dorset residents claim a disability benefit—the same as England3.
  • The number of disabled people varies greatly by neighbourhood. Some areas have up to 10 times as many disabled residents as others3.

Gender and sexuality2

  • The 2021 Census included new questions about sexual orientation and gender identity.
  • Under the Equality Act 2010, the protected characteristic is gender reassignment, not gender identity. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) collects gender identity data for insight, but classifies it as "statistics in development," advising cautious interpretation.
  • 2.2% of Dorset residents (about 7,000 people) identified as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or another non-heterosexual orientation. This is lower than the national and South West average (3.1%).
  • 0.3% of Dorset residents said their gender identity was different from the sex assigned at birth, similar to the national average.
  • Both questions were voluntary and only asked of people aged 16 and over.

Headline Figures

31%

Of Dorset's population is aged 65+

6.1%

Of Dorset's population are from an ethnic minority

2.2%

Identify as LGBQ+

0.3%

Have a gender identity that is different from that assigned at birth

6,820

Follow a non-Christian religion

20%

Of all residents have a health condition that limits their day to day activities

Headline Figures

31%

Of Dorset's population is aged 65+

6.1%

Of Dorset's population are from an ethnic minority

2.2%

Identify as LGBQ+

0.3%

Have a gender identity that is different from that assigned at birth

6,820

Follow a non-Christian religion

20%

Of all residents have a health condition that limits their day to day activities

Sources

  • * Gender identity data has been reclassified by the ONS as Official Statistics in development
  • 1 Mid–year population estimates (2024), ONS
  • 2 Census 2021, ONS
  • 3 Stat-Xplore, Department of Work and Pensions, February and July 2025

25 Reports

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8 Related Datasets

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  • NINO Registrations 2021

    Published: 18 July 2022

    This dataset includes total NINO registrations 2002 to 2021 as well as the most common country of origin in 2021.

    Downloads: 615

    Download (Excel)

  • National Insurance Registrations to overseas Nationals 2019-20

    Published: 09 December 2020

    National Insurance Registrations to overseas Nationals 2019-20

    Downloads: 1194

    Download (Excel)

  • International Migration for Mid-Years 2002-2019

    Published: 08 December 2020

    International Migration by 5 year age group for Dorset Council and Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council

    Downloads: 1014

    Download (Excel)

  • ONS Sexual Orientation Data at LA Geography (experimental dataset)

    Published: 27 November 2020

    Office for National Statistics experimental data on sexual orientation at LA Geography 2016-2018

    Downloads: 877

    Download (Excel)

  • Data for EqIAs (diversity data)

    Published: 14 November 2020

    Various diversity data for Dorset with national comparators. For assistance in completing Equality Impact Assessments (EqIAs).

    Downloads: 1232

    Download (Excel)

  • Indices of Deprivation 2019- National and Dorset Council Ranks

    Published: 03 January 2020

    The English Indices of Deprivation helps identify and prioritise areas to assist the government and other agencies both national and local in narrowing the gap between deprived neighbourhoods and the rest of the country.

    Downloads: 2689

    Download (Excel)

  • Subnational Sexual Identity Tables (ONS Research)

    Published: 17 May 2017

    Data on sexual identity at subnational level produced by the Office for National Statistics, published as part of a piece of research.

    Downloads: 1747

    Download (Excel)

  • Equality and Diversity Community Research and Consultation

    Published: 11 January 2017

    View the consultation, research and information on the equality and diversity of our communities used in setting our equality objectives.

    Downloads: 1864

    Download (Website)

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