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 within our strands of diversity.
- Age
- Disability
- Sex
- Religion & Belief
- Gender Reassignment
- Sexual Orientation
- Marriage & Civil Partnership
- Pregnancy & Maternity
- Ethnicity
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.

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
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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: 1054
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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: 581
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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: 1270
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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: 1707
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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: 1735
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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: 1473
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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: 1449
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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: 1339
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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: 1260
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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: 1689
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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: 1426
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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: 1346
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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: 1132
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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: 2021
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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: 2698
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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: 1360
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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: 1329
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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: 1530
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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: 1470
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: 216
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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: 693
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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: 635
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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: 562
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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: 685
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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: 1302
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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: 1325
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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: 1585
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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.