Dorset's most and least deprived neighbourhoods revealed

The Department for Communities and Local Government published the Index of Multiple Deprivation for England, which shows the relative deprivation of neighbourhoods for selected areas according to their indices of deprivation 2019 study.

It is important to note that this is the latest available data, with no data from 2020 yet available. 

Their research looks into factors such as income deprivation, employment deprivation, education, skills and training deprivation, healthcare, crime, access to housing and services and living environment deprivation.

An interactive map, which can be found through this link, allows users to search by a place name or postcode and includes a dashboard which provides a brief summary of how relatively deprived the area selected is in each iteration.

The map separates locations known as LSOAs (Lower-layer Super Output Areas) which are small areas designed to be of a similar population size, with an average of approximately 1,500 residents or 650 households. There are 32,844 Lower-layer Super Output Areas (LSOAs) in England.

A broad look at Dorset shows varying levels of deprivation across the county, with some worse of in some particular areas. 

Here are how some locations in Dorset fare according to the map.

Graphic shows how the map is measured

Abbotsbury and Portesham

The large Chesil Bank Ward, which covers parishes of Abbotsbury, Portesham, Langton Herring and Fleet, is neither deprived or advantaged according to the map. 

Beaminster

It is a mixed bag for Beaminster with differing levels of deprived areas around the town.

A central area is ranked amongst the 40 per cent most deprived neighbourhoods in the country while more rural and less built-up locations are more advantaged. 

Blandford Forum

There are varying levels of deprivation across the town, ranging from 40 most deprived to 20 least deprived. 

Bridport 

There are different levels of deprived locations around Bridport and surrounding areas.

Areas around B3157, Alexandra Road, Princess Road, are among the 30 per cent most deprived neighbourhoods in the country, with an area off North Allington among the 20 per cent most deprived. 

Areas around Bridport town centre are more advantaged but Bothenhampton and West Bay locations are among the least deprived areas in the country. 

Burton Bradstock 

The scenic Dorset area is neither deprived nor advantaged according to the Government's research.

Chideock

The rural village is neither deprived nor advantaged according to the Government's findings.

Dorchester

Dorset's county town is one of the better places to live in the county according to the map's data but there are some deprived locations within the town. 

Locations around the town centre and in and around Fordington area are among the 40 per cent most deprived neighbourhoods in the country. 

Outside of these areas, there are plenty of advantaged areas within Dorchester. 

Poundbury is among the 40 per cent least deprived neighbourhoods in the country. 

East and West Lulworth

The West Purbeck area is among the 40 per cent most deprived areas in the country. 

Portland

An area of Portland which includes Harbour View Road, East Weare Road and Verne Common Road, is among the most deprived neighbourhoods in the country, falling in the bottom ten per cent. 

Surrounding locations are also among the 20 per cent most deprived areas in the country.

As the map shows, the more southern parts of Portland, including Southwell, Wakeham, are less deprived. 

Sherborne

The Dorset town has areas which are amongst the least deprived locations in the country.

But one area northeast of the town is among the 30 per cent most deprived neighbourhoods nationally. 

Swanage

On a whole, the area is among the 40 per cent least deprived locations in the country. 

However one area, which features Day's Road, Benlease Way, is amongst the 40 per cent most deprived neighbourhoods in the country. 

Weymouth

It is a mixed bag for Weymouth with differing levels of deprived areas around the town.

The Melcombe Regis and Rodwell and Wyke wards around the town centre along as a section of Westham ward are among the 10 per cent most deprived areas in the country.

Locations around the town centre range from 20 to 30 per cent most deprived in the country but some residential areas around Chickerell Road are less deprived. 

The Littlemoor area has varying levels of most deprivation, ranging from 10 to 30 per cent in the country. 

The further away from the town centre gets better, with less deprived areas in surrounding areas. Radipole area, which includes Weymouth College and Lodmoor County Park, is among the most advantaged areas in Weymouth.

Chickerell, Nottington and Upwey are the more advantaged locations in the area.