Executive summary

This publication sets out the evidence base for the setting of Cumberland Council’s Equality Objective for 2024 to 2028 and the four cross-cutting delivery themes. 

The analysis focuses on the following protected characteristics, where there is national and local population data and evidence of disparities (statistical inequalities):

• Age
• Ethnicity
• Health
• Disability
• Sexual Orientation (which covers Gender Identity and LGBT+)

The document is split into sections for each protected characteristic by focusing on:

• The 2021 Census
• National disparities and reports on disparities
• Relevant local information on disparities

With the Census information the headline figures are given at a Cumbria level with further district level data based on the pre-2023 district footprints of Carlisle, Allerdale and Copeland (when the Census was taken). 

The Census information is based on briefings prepared by the Cumbria Observatory and the disparities information is based on national government information or specific research. 

For people completing Impact Assessments it is important to consider Intersectionality when using the data. This relates to the cross-over between Protected Characteristics (including, disparities between males and females within the same ethnic group), or in other terms (including, the link between socio-economic conditions and disparities by race, sex, disability and so on, which in turn is related to environmental and health disparities experienced by the same groups).

Find the 2021 Census results (Cumbria Observatory website)

2021 Census Summary of key points for Cumberland

Age 

Cumberland has a population that is ageing faster than the national average with a greater number of people aged over 65 than in 2011. 

Ethnicity 

Cumberland continues to be among the areas with the highest proportion of ‘White British’ people in the country, however the level of diversity has increased since 2011 despite a fall in some European groups since Brexit. The county’s ethnic minority groups have become more globalised since the introduction of refugee programmes in 2015 and employers increasingly sourcing labour from round the world.

Health

Cumberland’s population’s health has improved faster than the national average; 

Although more people report ill health than the national average, when age is factored in it is under the national average.

There are stark differences within Cumberland especially in Copeland which has reported the 4th highest decrease in people reporting their health is fair or good.

Disability

Overall disability (defined as people reporting that they have a condition that limits day-to-day) has decreased, with Cumbrerland just above the national average for the whole population.

When age is factored in Cumberland’s rates of disability are close to the national average.

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

2.3% of people identified as gay, lesbian or bisexual.

0.3% identified as transgender.

While lower than the national average, these rates are higher than many non-urban metropolitan areas, including parts of the Home Counties.