The People
According to mid-2003 population estimates there were 81,800 people residing in the South Hams, of whom 48.5% were male and 51.3% were female. Children under five accounted for approximately 5% of the resident population compared to almost 6 % for England and Wales.
Between 1982 and 2002 the population of the South Hams grew by nearly a quarter (23%), nearly twice as much as for South West region as a whole (12.7 %). The population density of the South Hams averaged 92 people per square kilometre, compared with 380 people per square kilometre for England overall.
The 2001 Census shows 34,810 households with an average Household Size of 2.3 persons. 85 % of households have least one car.
Characteristics & Trends
The South Hams Economy Report - 1992 to 2002 indicates that the balance of the economy is good.
Trends 2001 To 2004 (Source: Business Survey 2004)
- Business optimism increased (based on businesses employee numbers & turnover estimates for 2005)
- Increase in employed staff (supported by ONS data)
- Decrease in recruitment difficulties of suitably qualified staff
- Adjusted average earnings have not kept pace with increased cost of living
- Increased demand for workspace
- Increase in the uptake of ICT and broadband technology
- Doubling of ICT sector contribution
- Increased environmental / sustainability awareness and activity by businesses
- A quarter of businesses said over 25% of their trade comes directly from tourism.
Tourism - Somewhere Special Website
- It is estimated that 64% of South Hams workers are employed either directly or indirectly in tourism related service sectors.
- The South Hams receives 12.8% of visitors to Devon.
- Private houses account for the greatest number of visitor nights during 2003.
- Since 1987 visitor nights have increased, by 18.9%, to 4,208,600 in 2003.
- Bed spaces have decreased by 3,460 since 1995.
- The combined expenditure of day and staying visitors amounted to £250.5 million in 2001.
- Staying visitors contributed an annual total spend of £136.3 million. (Source: Economic Impact Study of Tourism in the South West 2003).
