Local help →Preston, in numbers
Preston local authority area. Every figure carries its own date.
Strengths to build on. Pressures to address. Choices to make.
These assessments connect evidence with proposed responses. They are not ratings of council performance.
strength
The Harris has reopened, while Friargate South improvements are being phased around changes to vehicle access.
Proposed response: Connect the reopened destination to safe, clear routes during and after street work.
What could help →strength
Average private rent is £790 a month (August 2026) in Preston council area. This is £669 lower than the England average for the same month. Homes rented privately ranged from 7.3% in Preston Rural North to 48.6% in City Centre — a gap of 41.3 percentage points.
Housing costs matter most alongside earnings and the number of affordable homes available. A local average cannot tell us whether a particular household can afford its home.
What could help →weakness
The works include phased road closures and vehicle diversions.
Proposed response: Keep routes practical for visitors, traders and people with limited mobility.
What could help →weakness
5.6% of people reported bad or very bad health in Preston council area (21 March 2021). Across England, the figure was 5.2%. People reporting bad or very bad health ranged from 2.4% in Preston Rural North to 8.1% in Ribbleton — a gap of 5.7 percentage points.
This is how residents described their health in the census. It can reveal differences between neighbourhoods, but does not diagnose illness or measure current waiting times. Age profiles differ between places, so these shares do not measure service quality.
What could help →opportunity
Preston has taken formal steps towards owning 18 homes for social rent.
Proposed response: Track contract, handover and letting stages alongside the new landlord responsibilities.
What could help →opportunity
14.7% of people in Preston council area were aged 65 or over (21 March 2021). People aged 65 or over ranged from 8% in City Centre to 24% in Sharoe Green — a gap of 16 percentage points.
Age alone does not mean poor health or a need for care. Accessible homes, reliable transport and support close to home matter as people get older.
What could help →opportunity
31.7% of people aged 16 or over had a degree or equivalent (21 March 2021) in Preston council area. Across England, the figure was 33.9%. People aged 16+ with no qualifications ranged from 9.8% in Preston Rural North to 30% in St Matthew's — a gap of 20.2 percentage points.
Qualifications show one part of the skills available locally. They do not show whether people have secure jobs or work that uses those skills.
What could help →opportunity
Mapped police records are available for neighbourhoods in Preston council area.
Published locations are approximate and some crimes are not mapped. Counts show recorded incidents, not the chance of an individual becoming a victim.
What could help →opportunity
3 named local projects or plans have official evidence in this collection.
A published plan makes responsibilities and intentions easier to inspect. It does not prove that funding is secured or that promised benefits have arrived.
What could help →opportunity
Households facing two or more measured disadvantages ranged from 6.7% in Preston Rural North to 31.3% in St Matthew's — a gap of 24.6 percentage points.
These households met at least two census conditions covering education, employment, health and housing. This is not an income or poverty measure.
What could help →threat
The social-rent homes still require contract and phased development steps.
Proposed response: Plan landlord services alongside acquisition.
What could help →| Evidence and response | Who could lead | Related published plans |
|---|---|---|
| Keep the Harris accessible during Friargate workThe Harris restoration and reopening: Reopened and operating; Friargate South street improvements: Construction start announced for July 2026. See the dated project evidence. | Preston City Council and funding partners; Preston City Council and Eric Wright Civil Engineering | |
| Make the return to council-owned housing accountablePreston’s first new council-owned social-rent homes: Acquisition and investment approved to move to contract terms. Evidence dated 2026-06-26. | Preston City Council | |
| Protect access while Friargate is rebuiltFriargate South street improvements: Construction start announced for July 2026 | Preston City Council | |
| Keep the new housing commitment affordable to runPreston’s first new council-owned social-rent homes: Acquisition and investment approved to move to contract terms | Preston City Council | |
| Make room for homes people can affordAverage private rent is £790 a month (August 2026) in Preston council area. Homes rented privately ranged from 7.3% in Preston Rural North to 48.6% in City Centre — a gap of 41.3 percentage points. 21 March 2021; 16 of 16 current wards have comparable figures. | The housing and planning authorities, housing associations and developers | |
| Plan homes and care around an older population14.7% aged 65 or over; 21 March 2021. People aged 65 or over ranged from 8% in City Centre to 24% in Sharoe Green — a gap of 16 percentage points. 21 March 2021; 16 of 16 current wards have comparable figures. | Adult social care, local health services, housing providers and transport authorities | No reviewed project is linked yet. This remains a proposal, with funding and delivery to establish. |
| Bring support closer to people in poor health5.6% reporting bad or very bad health; 21 March 2021. People reporting bad or very bad health ranged from 2.4% in Preston Rural North to 8.1% in Ribbleton — a gap of 5.7 percentage points. 21 March 2021; 16 of 16 current wards have comparable figures. | Local health services, public health teams, employers and community organisations | No reviewed project is linked yet. This remains a proposal, with funding and delivery to establish. |
| Connect local skills to local opportunities31.7% with a degree or equivalent; 21 March 2021. People aged 16+ with no qualifications ranged from 9.8% in Preston Rural North to 30% in St Matthew's — a gap of 20.2 percentage points. 21 March 2021; 16 of 16 current wards have comparable figures. | Employers, colleges, universities and the relevant skills authority | |
| Target safety work where problems repeatUse the dated, complete periods shown in Crime and safety; keep anti-social behaviour separate. | The local police force, council community safety team and relevant services | No reviewed project is linked yet. This remains a proposal, with funding and delivery to establish. |
| Target support where disadvantages overlapHouseholds facing two or more measured disadvantages ranged from 6.7% in Preston Rural North to 31.3% in St Matthew's — a gap of 24.6 percentage points. 21 March 2021; 16 of 16 wards. | The council's housing, public health and employment teams, with local services |