The People

According to mid-2003 population estimates there were 81,800 people residing in South Hams, of whom 48.5% were male and 51.5% 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 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 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

• It is estimated that 64% of South Hams workers are employed either directly or indirectly in tourism related service sectors.
• 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).

The Local Economy

The South Hams has a diverse base of very small to medium size enterprises. There are over 5,000 businesses in the district more than half of which employ fewer than five people. ‘Land based industries’ are most likely to employ the fewest people per business while ‘manufacturing’ and ‘ICT’ businesses tend to employ the most. This can be seen in the table below. In 2004 local businesses employed 7.5% more paid workers than in 2003.

Table showing % Employees and % Business Activity (numbers) in major South Hams Business Sectors 2004

SECTOR	% OF EMPLOYEES	% OF ACTIVITY
Land Based and Fishing	3.1	12.8
Tourism and Leisure	15.2	14.7
Manufacturing	17.1	8.0
Retail and Wholesale	16.5	21.2
ICT	6.2	4.0

Source: South Hams Business Survey 2001

There are large companies in the western part of the district, with access to Plymouth and the A38 Devon Expressway, employing between 201-500 people. The district also has a very high number of self-employed people and micro-businesses.

Agriculture, tourism and fishing have been the backbone of the South Hams economy and, although in decline, agriculture and fishing remain important sectors. Tourism accounts for nearly one in seven of all jobs yet has been identified as a "sector in transition".

The Council’s Economy & Europe Service has encouraged the creation of business sector forums in the district. These are the: Agriculture Forum, Food & Drink Association, South Hams Marine Industries, ICT Forum and Tourism Forum. Each group holds regular meetings and promotes its sector locally and nationally. A programme for the formation of employment estate user groups has begun, starting with Totnes and Langage estates.

The South Hams is particularly well known for a local concentration of speciality food and drink producers. The diverse geography of the area lends itself to the production of a range of quality foods. The district is also fortunate to have towns that offer a wide range of quality retail outlets with most local residents and visitors prepared to demand high-quality, locally available, specialist goods.