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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 within our strands of diversity.

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

Age & Religion

  • Dorset has a much greater proportion (29%) of the population aged 65 and over than England and Wales (19%)1.
  • Some of the 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. Weymouth has just over 300 residents of Muslim faith. There are also concentrations around military establishments such as Blandford Camp where the Gurkha’s and their families live who are predominantly Hindu in their religious belief2.

Please note: Robust statistical data at a Local Authority level on Sexual Orientation and Gender Reassignment does not currently exist apart from data on couples living in a same sex relationship from the Census 2011 (see Headline Figures).

Ethnic minorities - residents of Dorset who are not 'White British'

  • 4.4% of Dorset residents are from an ethnic minority, much lower than the country as a whole (19.5%)2.
  • The highest proportion (41%) 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 Irish.
Diversity chart
Makeup of non-White British residents in Dorset

Disability

  • One in five of Dorset's population consider that they have a long-term health problem or disability2.
  • 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. 15% of Dorset’s residents claim a disability benefit compared to 13% in England3.

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.
  • Annual Population Survey statistics on sexual orientation began in 2014. Between 2014 and 2019, the number of people identifying as something other than heterosexual nationally almost doubled from 865,000 to 1,526,0005.
  • In the South West, 2.5% of people shared that they identify with a sexual orientation other than heterosexual in 2019. Whilst this figure is broadly in line with the Census 2011, data on sexual orientation is very difficult to obtain, however, when the Census 2021 data is released it is expected that this shall give a robust dataset5.

Headline Figures

29%

Of Dorset's population is aged 65+

4.4%

Of Dorset's population are from an ethnic minority

Almost 1 in 3

Of the former East Dorset area's population aged 65+

1,900

Living in a same sex relationship

5,300

Follow a non-Christian religion

1 in 5

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

Headline Figures

29%

Of Dorset's population is aged 65+

4.4%

Of Dorset's population are from an ethnic minority

Almost 1 in 3

Of the former East Dorset area's population aged 65+

1,900

Living in a same sex relationship

5,300

Follow a non-Christian religion

1 in 5

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

Sources

  • 1 Mid–year population estimates (2020), ONS
  • 2 Census 2011, ONS
  • 3 Stat-Xplore, Department of Work and Pensions, February 2021 & 2020 Mid-year estimates, ONS
  • 4 Preparing for the 2021 census (England and Wales), UK Parliament
  • 5 Sexual Orientation 2014-2019, Annual Population Survey, 2019

19 Reports

Order by: Newest first

8 Related Datasets

Order by: Newest first

  • 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: 216

    Download (Excel)

  • National Insurance Registrations to overseas Nationals 2019-20

    Published: 09 December 2020

    National Insurance Registrations to overseas Nationals 2019-20

    Downloads: 693

    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: 635

    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: 562

    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: 685

    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: 1302

    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: 1325

    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: 1585

    Download (Website)

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