Our Residents
It is always interesting and valuable to understand the make-up of a neighbourhood. The following statistics are drawn from a combination of the Office of National Statistics census data for 2021 for Waterloo and South Bank and a report commissioned to assess the socio-economic impact of the Pandemic on the area. Inevitably some of this data will have changed over time.
A relatively young and cosmopolitan neighbourhood
Waterloo and South Bank is home to around 10,000 people, living in some 3,900 households. Almost 35% are aged 20-30, compared to just 17% for London and 13% for England. This is in large part explained by the fact that some 25% are full-time students (at all levels of education). Indeed, some c.17% have lived in the UK for less than 2 years, indicating a significant international student presence. Overall, around 50% of the population was born in the UK and 50% elsewhere. A significant student population contributes to the fact that people move in and out of the area more often than in much of London. However, the estates and housing cooperatives across the neighbourhood anchor established, long standing communities.
Diverse in every sense
Some 55% of residents are White, with 19% of Asian descent and 14% Black British, Caribbean or African, much in line with the rest of London. The neighbourhood has proportionately more Asian residents than Lambeth as a whole. It also has a higher share of residents identifying as gay, lesbian, bisexual or another sexual orientation (9.7%) than either Lambeth (8.3%) or Inner London (6.6%).
Many well qualified and employed, others less so
55% of working age residents hold a NVQ4+ level qualification or above, compared to 34% for England and 47% for London. Some 12% have no qualifications with 28% attaining levels 1,2 or 3. Some 55% of those above age 16 are in employment (61% in London), but 6% are unemployed (compared to 4.8% for London) and 39% economically inactive (similar to England as a whole). 3.7% are claimants to benefits (5.5% for London).
Living space under pressure
The area has high rental occupancy - 35% socially and 41% privately rented (23% and 30% respectively across London). Situated in the heart of London it is not surprising that homes cost more than 17 times local earnings, against 13 times across London. Only 22% of residents own their own homes (outright or with a mortgage), compared to 47% for London and 62% for England. The area is also dominated by flats, maisonettes and apartments - 89% of households, with just 11% of people occupying a whole house.
While Waterloo and South Bank is not an area of significant multiple deprivation, every part of the neighbourhood ranks among the 20% most deprived in England for living environment, driven by air quality and by conflict between people on foot and traffic. Green space runs to 8.2 square metres per resident, less than half the Greater London average. Parks are closer here than in most of London, but on average 87% smaller.
