Diversity Topic Data
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
- Ethnicity
Age & Religion
- Dorset has a much greater proportion (30%) of the population aged 65 and over than England and Wales (18%)1.
- West and East former districts have almost one in three residents 65 and over1.
- The five major non-Christian world religions Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism and Sikhism constitute 1% of Dorset's residents' religious beliefs2.
- Dorset’s main non-Christian religious groups are concentrated in Dorset’s towns. 0.5% of Weymouth’s residents are of Muslim faith. There are also concentrations around military establishments such as Blandford Camp where the Gurkhas and their families live who are predominantly Buddhist or Hindu in their religious belief2.
Ethnic minorities - residents of Dorset who are not 'White British'
- 6.1% of Dorset residents are from an ethnic minority, much lower than the country as a whole2.
- The highest proportion (40%) of Dorset’s ethnic minority population are classified as 'White Other'2. This classification includes people who identify as white but who do not have UK national identity (English, Welsh, Scottish, Northern Irish and British). An example would be Polish or Bulgarian. The next highest are Mixed Multiple ethnic groups which make up 19% of ethnic minorities followed by Asian, Asian British that make up 18% of the ethnic minority groups in Dorset Council area.
Disability
- 20% of Dorset's population are classified as disabled under the Equality Act 2010 definition2.
- Another method for looking at the number of residents with a disability is to consider those claiming either Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independance Payments or Attendance Allowance.3.
Gender, sexual and relationship diversity
- The Census 2021 asked new questions about sexual orientation and whether an individual’s gender identity differed from how they were assigned at birth4.
- The new Census questions reflects how our understanding of different experiences and the language that goes with these changes over time. In recent years there has been an increase in the terminology surrounding gender identity and expression.
- In Dorset, 2.2% of our population shared they were gay, lesbian, bisexual or had another, non-heterosexual, sexual orientation, approximately 7,000 residents. This compared to 3.1% in both England and Wales and the South West5.
- 0.2-0.4% of residents in Dorset, the South West and England and Wales shared their gender identity differed from how they were assigned at birth. Dorset residents identifying as gender diverse were lowest at 0.2%. Both questions on sexual orientation and gender identity were voluntary, for those aged 16 and over only.
Headline Figures
30%
Of Dorset's population is aged 65+
6.1%
Of Dorset's population are from an ethnic minority
2.2%
Identify as LGBTQ+
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
30%
Of Dorset's population is aged 65+
6.1%
Of Dorset's population are from an ethnic minority
2.2%
Identify as LGBTQ+
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
- 1 Mid–year population estimates (2023), ONS
- 2 Census 2021, ONS
- 3 Stat-Xplore, Department of Work and Pensions, May and July 2023 and 2021 Census, ONS
- 4 Preparing for the 2021 census (England and Wales), UK Parliament
- 5 Census 2021, ONS
21 Reports
Order by: Newest first
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State of Dorset 2023 - Diversity
01 January 2023
This is the key annual document bringing together the "picture" of Dorset based on the statistical evidence. This report contains just the Diversity topic.
Downloads: 231
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Tagged:
- Diversity
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State of Dorset 2023
01 January 2023
This is the key annual document bringing together the "picture" of Dorset based on the statistical evidence. It covers eleven key areas: Economy, Deprivation, Older People, Children, Health and Care, Natural and Historic Environment, Leisure and Culture, Crime, Diversity, Population and Housing
Downloads: 537
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State of Dorset 2021
06 July 2022
This is the key annual document bringing together the "picture" of Dorset based on the statistical evidence. It covers 10 key areas: Population, Children, Crime, Deprivation, Diversity, Economy, Health and Care, Leisure and Culture, Natural and Historic Environment, and Older People, covering the Dorset Council area.
Downloads: 1592
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State of Dorset 2021 - Diversity
01 June 2022
This is the key annual document bringing together the "picture" of Dorset based on the statistical evidence. This report contains the Diversity topic and covers the Dorset Council area.
Downloads: 1088
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Tagged:
- Diversity
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Our Communities Topic report - Brexit Bulletin 2019
21 February 2019
The Office for National Statistics released an analysis showing which parts of the country might feel the most impact of Brexit, based on the representation of employees by sector. This 2019 bulletin looks at the local picture for Dorset, updating our 2017 bulletin.
Downloads: 1482
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Our Communities Topic Report - Dorset's Coastal Communities
06 October 2017
According to a report written by the Social Market Foundation, on average, coastal communities are less productive economically than non-coastal communities. They often have lower levels of pay, higher rates of unemployment and have populations with lower skill levels and poorer health. Four of Dorset's district councils are coastal communities, along with Bournemouth and Poole. The socioeconomic picture across Dorset's coastal communities varies considerably. This bulletin looks at why this matters for Dorset.
Downloads: 2013
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Bere Regis Ward Factsheet 2016
01 October 2017
A report from Purbeck District Council providing a summary of information on the demographic and socio-economic make up of this ward within Purbeck.
Downloads: 2050
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Castle Ward Factsheet 2016
01 October 2017
A report from Purbeck District Council providing a summary of information on the demographic and socio-economic make up of this ward within Purbeck.
Downloads: 1790
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Creech Barrow Ward Factsheet 2016
01 October 2017
A report from Purbeck District Council providing a summary of information on the demographic and socio-economic make up of this ward within Purbeck.
Downloads: 1721
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Langton Ward Factsheet 2016
01 October 2017
A report from Purbeck District Council providing a summary of information on the demographic and socio-economic make up of this ward within Purbeck.
Downloads: 1556
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Lulworth & Winfrith Ward Factsheet 2016
01 October 2017
A report from Purbeck District Council providing a summary of information on the demographic and socio-economic make up of this ward within Purbeck.
Downloads: 1642
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Lytchett Matravers Ward Factsheet 2016
01 October 2017
A report from Purbeck District Council providing a summary of information on the demographic and socio-economic make up of this ward within Purbeck.
Downloads: 2292
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Lytchett Minster & upton East Ward Factsheet 2016
01 October 2017
A report from Purbeck District Council providing a summary of information on the demographic and socio-economic make up of this ward within Purbeck.
Downloads: 1722
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Lytchett Minster & Upton West Ward Factsheet 2016
01 October 2017
A report from Purbeck District Council providing a summary of information on the demographic and socio-economic make up of this ward within Purbeck.
Downloads: 1651
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St Martin Ward Factsheet 2016
01 October 2017
A report from Purbeck District Council providing a summary of information on the demographic and socio-economic make up of this ward within Purbeck.
Downloads: 1358
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Swanage North Ward Factsheet 2016
01 October 2017
A report from Purbeck District Council providing a summary of information on the demographic and socio-economic make up of this ward within Purbeck.
Downloads: 2539
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Swanage South Ward Factsheet 2016
01 October 2017
A report from Purbeck District Council providing a summary of information on the demographic and socio-economic make up of this ward within Purbeck.
Downloads: 3496
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Wareham Ward Factsheet 2016
01 October 2017
A report from Purbeck District Council providing a summary of information on the demographic and socio-economic make up of this ward within Purbeck.
Downloads: 1936
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Wool Ward Factsheet 2016
01 October 2017
A report from Purbeck District Council providing a summary of information on the demographic and socio-economic make up of this ward within Purbeck.
Downloads: 1785
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Our Communities Topic Report - Anxiety Bulletin
23 August 2017
Surveys have shown that feelings of anxiety and well-being can change considerably through a person's life. This bulletin looks at anxiety levels across Dorset, including how certain factors can affect levels of anxiety and other measures of well-being.
Downloads: 1949
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Preparing for the 2021 Census - Testing the next Census in West Dorset, 2017
15 March 2017
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) will be carrying out a census test in West Dorset this year. This is an important part of their preparations for the 2021 Census. The attached document explains in more detail, or go to www.dorsetforyou.com/census-test-2017 for more information.
Downloads: 1757
8 Related Datasets
Order by: Newest first
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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: 397
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Tagged:
- Economy
- Population
- Diversity
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National Insurance Registrations to overseas Nationals 2019-20
Published: 09 December 2020
National Insurance Registrations to overseas Nationals 2019-20
Downloads: 912
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Tagged:
- Economy
- Population
- Diversity
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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: 804
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Tagged:
- Economy
- Population
- Diversity
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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: 709
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Tagged:
- Population
- Diversity
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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: 861
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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: 1866
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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: 1597
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Tagged:
- Diversity
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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: 1739
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Tagged:
- Diversity
1 Related Dashboards
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Indices of Deprivation 2019
This dashboard uses data published by Central Government to measure deprivation in many different facets at a small geography across Dorset.