Bristol’s Deprivation Index Exposes Widening Socio-Economic Gaps

The recent release of the Government’s latest deprivation index highlights significant socio-economic disparities in Bristol. For the first time in six years, these detailed rankings showcase the stark contrast between affluent and deprived neighborhoods within the city. The data reflects a troubling stagnation in improvement, revealing deep-rooted inequality that persists across the region.

The findings indicate that Bristol hosts some of the most prosperous areas in England, such as Henleaze, which ranks in the top 0.3 percent of over 33,000 neighborhoods. Conversely, just a short distance away lies Southmead, identified as one of the lowest three percent of deprived areas in the country. This juxtaposition exemplifies the significant socio-economic divide within the city.

According to the Government’s ‘English Indices of Deprivation 2025’, the index evaluates seven critical aspects of life, including income, employment, health, education, housing, crime, and the overall living environment. Each street and home is categorized into one of 33,755 neighborhoods, allowing for a granular understanding of deprivation. In Bristol, the city has been segmented into 268 neighborhoods, typically comprising small clusters of streets.

The data reveals that six of the eight most deprived neighborhoods in Bristol are located in Hartcliffe, with the remaining two in Withywood and Inns Court. The most deprived area, designated as ‘Bristol 053E’, encompasses part of Hartcliffe and ranks as the 211th most deprived neighborhood in England, placing it in the bottom 0.6 percent nationwide.

Other neighboring areas in Hartcliffe, such as those around Morrisons and along Maynard Road, also rank within the one percent most deprived areas in the country. The findings paint a grim picture for many residents, as places like Knowle West, Barton Hill, and Easton also fall into the bottom five percent of deprived regions in England.

Interestingly, the most deprived neighborhood in the broader Bristol area is not located within the city itself. Two neighborhoods within the Bournville Estate in Weston-super-Mare rank in the lowest one percent of England’s most deprived areas, with one area identified as the 86th most deprived in the country.

In stark contrast, areas such as Henleaze boast some of the lowest deprivation levels in England. The neighborhood surrounding West Broadway scored favorably across metrics of income, crime, employment, housing, and health, with only 103 other small areas in England performing better. This section of Henleaze is located less than three-quarters of a mile from Southmead, which is one of the most deprived areas in the country.

As the Government’s latest index underscores the growing disparity in socio-economic conditions within Bristol, community leaders and policymakers face the challenge of addressing these persistent inequalities. The data serves as a crucial tool for identifying areas in need of urgent support and resources, highlighting the importance of targeted intervention to bridge the widening gap between the city’s wealthiest and most disadvantaged residents.