West Sussex
Key facts
- Average IMD score 14.8 England 21.8
- Residents 915,037 mid-2024
Context
Index of Multiple Deprivation
Average IMD score
West Sussex: 14.8. This is lower than England (21.8). A lower figure is better.
Across the 7 districts, figures range from 8.7 (Mid Sussex) to 20.8 (Crawley).
% of residents living in England's most deprived 20% of neighbourhoods
West Sussex: 2.5%. This is lower than England (20.1%). A lower figure is better.
Across the 7 districts, figures range from 0.0% (Adur, Chichester, Horsham and Mid Sussex) to 9.7% (Arun).
Rank of average IMD score (1 = most deprived)
West Sussex ranks 128th of 153 county councils and unitary authorities in England.
See every ward and district for index of multiple deprivation →
Period: 2025. Data: MHCLG, English Indices of Deprivation 2025. Retrieved 30 September 2026. Source: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, English Indices of Deprivation 2025. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Ward values use ONS geography lookups: Source: Office for National Statistics licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Show index of multiple deprivation as a table
| Area | Average IMD score | % of residents living in England's most deprived 20% of neighbourhoods | Rank of average IMD score (1 = most deprived) |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Sussex | 14.8 | 2.5% | 128th of 153 |
| England | 21.8 | 20.1% | Not ranked |
Districts in West Sussex
| District | Average IMD score | % of residents living in England's most deprived 20% of neighbourhoods | Rank of average IMD score (1 = most deprived) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adur | 15.0 | 0.0% | 200th of 296 |
| Arun | 19.4 | 9.7% | 141st of 296 |
| Chichester | 15.6 | 0.0% | 191st of 296 |
| Crawley | 20.8 | 1.3% | 126th of 296 |
| Horsham | 9.6 | 0.0% | 279th of 296 |
| Mid Sussex | 8.7 | 0.0% | 286th of 296 |
| Worthing | 15.9 | 4.3% | 186th of 296 |
Population aged 65 and over
% of residents aged 65 and over
West Sussex: 23.3%. This is higher than the South East (19.8%) and England (18.7%).
Across the 7 districts, figures range from 13.5% (Crawley) to 29.0% (Arun).
See every ward and district for population aged 65 and over →
Period: mid-2024. Data: ONS, Small area population estimates (2021-based), mid-year. Retrieved 30 September 2026. Source: Office for National Statistics licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Show population aged 65 and over as a table
| Area | % of residents aged 65 and over |
|---|---|
| West Sussex | 23.3% |
| South East | 19.8% |
| England | 18.7% |
Districts in West Sussex
| District | % of residents aged 65 and over |
|---|---|
| Adur | 24.0% |
| Arun | 29.0% |
| Chichester | 27.7% |
| Crawley | 13.5% |
| Horsham | 23.6% |
| Mid Sussex | 20.8% |
| Worthing | 22.9% |
Life expectancy at birth
Life expectancy at birth: females
West Sussex: 84.6 years (95% confidence interval 84.4 to 84.8). This is better than England (83.5). It is higher than the South East (84.5).
Across the 7 districts, figures range from 83.7 (Worthing) to 85.8 (Horsham).
Life expectancy at birth: males
West Sussex: 80.8 years (95% confidence interval 80.6 to 81.0). This is better than England (79.7). It is the same as the South East (80.8).
Across the 7 districts, figures range from 79.6 (Arun) to 82.2 (Horsham).
Compare all areas for life expectancy at birth →
Period: 2023–25. Data: OHID, Fingertips Public Health Outcomes Framework (A01b), using ONS life expectancy for local areas. Retrieved 30 September 2026. Source: Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, Fingertips (Public Health Outcomes Framework), based on Office for National Statistics data. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Show life expectancy at birth as a table
| Area | Life expectancy at birth: females | Life expectancy at birth: males |
|---|---|---|
| West Sussex | 84.6 | 80.8 |
| South East | 84.5 | 80.8 |
| England | 83.5 | 79.7 |
Districts in West Sussex
| District | Life expectancy at birth: females | Life expectancy at birth: males |
|---|---|---|
| Adur | 84.1 | 81.5 |
| Arun | 83.9 | 79.6 |
| Chichester | 85.3 | 80.4 |
| Crawley | 84.0 | 79.8 |
| Horsham | 85.8 | 82.2 |
| Mid Sussex | 85.4 | 82.0 |
| Worthing | 83.7 | 79.9 |
Neighbourhood design
Access to Healthy Assets and Hazards (AHAH) overall index
Please note: AHAH combines distances to services, nearby retail such as fast food and gambling, green and blue space, and air pollution into a single index. Ranks are relative to all neighbourhoods in Great Britain.
% of residents in Great Britain's least healthy 20% of neighbourhoods
West Sussex: 6.2%. This is lower than the South East (12.7%) and England (24.4%). A lower figure is better.
Across the 7 districts, figures range from 2.2% (Horsham) to 17.5% (Worthing).
See every ward and district for access to healthy assets and hazards (ahah) overall index →
Period: 2026 (v5.1). Data: Geographic Data Service (University of Liverpool), Access to Healthy Assets and Hazards (AHAH) v5.1. Retrieved 30 September 2026. Source: Geographic Data Service (University of Liverpool), Access to Healthy Assets and Hazards (AHAH) v5.1, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Daras, K., Green, M.A., Davies, A., Barr, B. and Singleton, A. (2019) Open data on health-related neighbourhood features in Great Britain. Scientific Data 6, 107. Funded by Smart Data Research UK. Residents: Office for National Statistics small area population estimates (mid-2024), OGL v3.0.
Show access to healthy assets and hazards (ahah) overall index as a table
| Area | % of residents in Great Britain's least healthy 20% of neighbourhoods |
|---|---|
| West Sussex | 6.2% |
| South East | 12.7% |
| England | 24.4% |
Districts in West Sussex
| District | % of residents in Great Britain's least healthy 20% of neighbourhoods |
|---|---|
| Adur | 7.7% |
| Arun | 3.6% |
| Chichester | 5.6% |
| Crawley | 6.2% |
| Horsham | 2.2% |
| Mid Sussex | 4.8% |
| Worthing | 17.5% |
Housing
Fuel poverty
Please note: These are modelled estimates. The government advises using them to spot areas of particularly high or low fuel poverty, not to compare areas with similar levels.
% of households in fuel poverty
West Sussex: 7.9%. This is lower than the South East (8.2%) and England (9.9%). A lower figure is better.
Across the 7 districts, figures range from 7.1% (Mid Sussex) to 9.5% (Chichester).
See every ward and district for fuel poverty →
Period: 2024. Data: DESNZ, Sub-regional fuel poverty data 2026 (2024 data). Retrieved 30 September 2026. Source: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Sub-regional fuel poverty statistics. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Show fuel poverty as a table
| Area | % of households in fuel poverty |
|---|---|
| West Sussex | 7.9% |
| South East | 8.2% |
| England | 9.9% |
Districts in West Sussex
| District | % of households in fuel poverty |
|---|---|
| Adur | 8.1% |
| Arun | 7.8% |
| Chichester | 9.5% |
| Crawley | 7.2% |
| Horsham | 7.5% |
| Mid Sussex | 7.1% |
| Worthing | 8.8% |
Overcrowded households
% of households with fewer bedrooms than they need
West Sussex: 3.0%. This is lower than the South East (3.4%) and England (4.4%). A lower figure is better.
Across the 7 districts, figures range from 1.6% (Horsham) to 6.8% (Crawley).
See every ward and district for overcrowded households →
Period: 2021. Data: ONS, Census 2021. Retrieved 30 September 2026. Source: Office for National Statistics, Census 2021, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Show overcrowded households as a table
| Area | % of households with fewer bedrooms than they need |
|---|---|
| West Sussex | 3.0% |
| South East | 3.4% |
| England | 4.4% |
Districts in West Sussex
| District | % of households with fewer bedrooms than they need |
|---|---|
| Adur | 3.0% |
| Arun | 3.0% |
| Chichester | 1.9% |
| Crawley | 6.8% |
| Horsham | 1.6% |
| Mid Sussex | 2.1% |
| Worthing | 3.3% |
Food environment
Fast-food outlet density
Please note: Counts are premises registered with councils as takeaways or sandwich shops, per 100,000 people who live in the area. Town-centre wards with few residents can have very high figures because takeaways serve shoppers and workers too. Premises run from homes are counted for their district but cannot be placed in a ward.
Takeaways and sandwich shops per 100,000 residents
West Sussex: 60.1. This is lower than the South East (64.6) and England (88.6). A lower figure is better.
Across the 7 districts, figures range from 33.0 (Horsham) to 90.5 (Worthing).
See every ward and district for fast-food outlet density →
Period: September 2026. Data: Food Standards Agency, Food Hygiene Rating Scheme. Retrieved 30 September 2026. Source: Food Standards Agency, Food Hygiene Rating Scheme. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Residents: Office for National Statistics small area population estimates (mid-2024), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Show fast-food outlet density as a table
| Area | Takeaways and sandwich shops per 100,000 residents |
|---|---|
| West Sussex | 60.1 |
| South East | 64.6 |
| England | 88.6 |
Districts in West Sussex
| District | Takeaways and sandwich shops per 100,000 residents |
|---|---|
| Adur | 87.8 |
| Arun | 72.9 |
| Chichester | 51.2 |
| Crawley | 54.0 |
| Horsham | 33.0 |
| Mid Sussex | 51.3 |
| Worthing | 90.5 |
Year 6 obesity (incl. severe obesity)
Please note: Ward figures are based on small numbers of children (about 190 per ward over three school years), so their confidence intervals are wide. Compare wards using the ‘Better / Similar / Worse than England’ labels rather than small differences in the figures.
% of Year 6 children living with obesity
West Sussex: 18.5% (95% confidence interval 18.0% to 18.9%). This is better than England (22.3%). It is lower than the South East (19.3%).
Across the 7 districts, figures range from 14.4% (Mid Sussex) to 22.1% (Crawley).
See every ward and district for year 6 obesity (incl. severe obesity) →
Period: 2022/23–24/25. Data: OHID, National Child Measurement Programme via Fingertips. Retrieved 30 September 2026. Source: Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, Fingertips, based on the National Child Measurement Programme (NHS England). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Show year 6 obesity (incl. severe obesity) as a table
| Area | % of Year 6 children living with obesity |
|---|---|
| West Sussex | 18.5% |
| South East | 19.3% |
| England | 22.3% |
Districts in West Sussex
| District | % of Year 6 children living with obesity |
|---|---|
| Adur | 18.2% |
| Arun | 21.2% |
| Chichester | 18.4% |
| Crawley | 22.1% |
| Horsham | 14.8% |
| Mid Sussex | 14.4% |
| Worthing | 21.0% |
Natural environment
Mortality attributable to particulate air pollution
Please note: These are modelled estimates of the share of deaths among adults aged 30 and over linked to long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5). They are not counts of deaths caused by air pollution.
% of adult deaths linked to fine particulate air pollution
West Sussex: 4.9%. This is lower than the South East (5.1%) and England (5.3%). A lower figure is better.
Across the 7 districts, figures range from 4.5% (Chichester) to 5.3% (Crawley).
Compare all areas for mortality attributable to particulate air pollution →
Period: 2024. Data: OHID, Fingertips Public Health Outcomes Framework. Retrieved 30 September 2026. Source: Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, Fingertips (Public Health Outcomes Framework), based on UK Health Security Agency and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs modelling. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Show mortality attributable to particulate air pollution as a table
| Area | % of adult deaths linked to fine particulate air pollution |
|---|---|
| West Sussex | 4.9% |
| South East | 5.1% |
| England | 5.3% |
Districts in West Sussex
| District | % of adult deaths linked to fine particulate air pollution |
|---|---|
| Adur | 4.9% |
| Arun | 4.6% |
| Chichester | 4.5% |
| Crawley | 5.3% |
| Horsham | 4.9% |
| Mid Sussex | 5.1% |
| Worthing | 4.8% |
Access to green and blue space (AHAH domain)
Please note: AHAH combines distances to services, nearby retail such as fast food and gambling, green and blue space, and air pollution into a single index. Ranks are relative to all neighbourhoods in Great Britain.
% of residents in Great Britain's worst 20% of neighbourhoods for green and blue space
West Sussex: 16.8%. This is lower than the South East (19.7%) and England (22.9%). A lower figure is better.
Across the 7 districts, figures range from 1.8% (Mid Sussex) to 44.7% (Worthing).
See every ward and district for access to green and blue space (ahah domain) →
Period: 2026 (v5.1). Data: Geographic Data Service (University of Liverpool), Access to Healthy Assets and Hazards (AHAH) v5.1. Retrieved 30 September 2026. Source: Geographic Data Service (University of Liverpool), Access to Healthy Assets and Hazards (AHAH) v5.1, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Daras, K., Green, M.A., Davies, A., Barr, B. and Singleton, A. (2019) Open data on health-related neighbourhood features in Great Britain. Scientific Data 6, 107. Funded by Smart Data Research UK. Residents: Office for National Statistics small area population estimates (mid-2024), OGL v3.0.
Show access to green and blue space (ahah domain) as a table
| Area | % of residents in Great Britain's worst 20% of neighbourhoods for green and blue space |
|---|---|
| West Sussex | 16.8% |
| South East | 19.7% |
| England | 22.9% |
Districts in West Sussex
| District | % of residents in Great Britain's worst 20% of neighbourhoods for green and blue space |
|---|---|
| Adur | 22.9% |
| Arun | 23.7% |
| Chichester | 14.5% |
| Crawley | 15.7% |
| Horsham | 4.6% |
| Mid Sussex | 1.8% |
| Worthing | 44.7% |
Transport and active travel
Active travel to work
Please note: Census 2021 took place during COVID-19 restrictions, when many people worked from home. These figures show how people travelled to work in March 2021 and may not reflect usual patterns.
% of people travelling to work who walked or cycled
West Sussex: 14.6%. This is higher than England (14.2%) but lower than the South East (14.9%). A higher figure is better.
Across the 7 districts, figures range from 11.0% (Crawley) to 20.6% (Worthing).
% of working residents working mainly at or from home
West Sussex: 33.3%. This is higher than England (31.5%) but lower than the South East (35.8%).
Across the 7 districts, figures range from 24.7% (Arun) to 40.9% (Mid Sussex).
See every ward and district for active travel to work →
Period: 2021. Data: ONS, Census 2021 method used to travel to work. Retrieved 30 September 2026. Source: Office for National Statistics, Census 2021, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Show active travel to work as a table
| Area | % of people travelling to work who walked or cycled | % of working residents working mainly at or from home |
|---|---|---|
| West Sussex | 14.6% | 33.3% |
| South East | 14.9% | 35.8% |
| England | 14.2% | 31.5% |
Districts in West Sussex
| District | % of people travelling to work who walked or cycled | % of working residents working mainly at or from home |
|---|---|---|
| Adur | 13.8% | 31.1% |
| Arun | 13.3% | 24.7% |
| Chichester | 18.5% | 34.4% |
| Crawley | 11.0% | 27.0% |
| Horsham | 12.1% | 40.8% |
| Mid Sussex | 14.6% | 40.9% |
| Worthing | 20.6% | 31.3% |
Physically active adults
Please note: These are estimates from a survey of about 400 adults in each district, so small differences between areas may not be meaningful. The confidence interval shows the likely range.
% of adults doing at least 150 minutes of moderate activity a week
West Sussex: 70.6% (95% confidence interval 68.9% to 72.3%). This is better than England (68.0%). It is lower than the South East (70.9%).
Across the 7 districts, figures range from 63.5% (Arun) to 80.2% (Chichester).
Compare all areas for physically active adults →
Period: 2024/25. Data: OHID / Sport England, Active Lives Adult Survey via Fingertips. Retrieved 30 September 2026. Source: Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, Fingertips (Public Health Outcomes Framework), based on Sport England's Active Lives Adult Survey. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Show physically active adults as a table
| Area | % of adults doing at least 150 minutes of moderate activity a week |
|---|---|
| West Sussex | 70.6% |
| South East | 70.9% |
| England | 68.0% |
Districts in West Sussex
| District | % of adults doing at least 150 minutes of moderate activity a week |
|---|---|
| Adur | 67.6% |
| Arun | 63.5% |
| Chichester | 80.2% |
| Crawley | 63.6% |
| Horsham | 73.0% |
| Mid Sussex | 73.6% |
| Worthing | 71.9% |
Households with no car or van
% of households with no car or van
West Sussex: 16.0%. This is lower than the South East (16.9%) and England (23.5%).
Across the 7 districts, figures range from 11.2% (Horsham) to 21.8% (Worthing).
See every ward and district for households with no car or van →
Period: 2021. Data: ONS, Census 2021 car or van availability. Retrieved 30 September 2026. Source: Office for National Statistics, Census 2021, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Show households with no car or van as a table
| Area | % of households with no car or van |
|---|---|
| West Sussex | 16.0% |
| South East | 16.9% |
| England | 23.5% |
Districts in West Sussex
| District | % of households with no car or van |
|---|---|
| Adur | 18.5% |
| Arun | 16.9% |
| Chichester | 14.1% |
| Crawley | 20.6% |
| Horsham | 11.2% |
| Mid Sussex | 12.4% |
| Worthing | 21.8% |
About these figures
Figures for West Sussex are compared with England, and with the South East where regional figures are published. Comparisons say whether a figure is higher or lower; they do not say whether a difference is statistically significant. Ward maps and tables for each indicator are on its own page; see all indicators.
County code: E10000032.