Deprivation (2025)
Deprivation in Devon within the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) focuses on the social and economic conditions that shape the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.
The Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) is a UK government measure used to assess and rank the relative level of deprivation across small geographic areas (LSOAs) in England. It combines data across seven domains to produce overall deprivation for each area. These domains include: income, employment, health, education, crime, housing, and access to services which are essential to living a healthy and fulfilling life.
In Devon, the impact of deprivation is felt unevenly, with rural isolation, coastal challenges, and hidden poverty in market towns contributing to significant inequalities. Addressing these issues is vital not only for improving individual outcomes but also for building stronger, more resilient communities across the county.
| Limitation Note While the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) is a widely used tool for assessing relative deprivation, its interpretation requires caution particularly in a rural and coastal context like Devon. The IMD often underrepresents rural deprivation, failing to fully capture challenges such as poor transport connectivity, digital exclusion, and limited access to essential services. In more affluent areas, including parts of South Hams and coastal towns, small but significant pockets of deprivation can be obscured by broader averages. Additionally, the IMD’s focus on geographic distance rather than transport availability limits its ability to reflect true service accessibility. It also does not adequately account for housing affordability pressures or the economic instability linked to seasonal employment, both of which are prominent in Devon. As a result, the IMD may not fully reflect the complex and varied experiences of deprivation across the county. |
JSNA Headline Dashboard Observations
Around 31,100 people, or 4% of Devon’s population, live in areas ranked among the most deprived 20% nationally. The most deprived area within the Devon County Council area is Ilfracombe Town Centre, where nearly 30% of residents experience income deprivation. Other areas with notable levels of deprivation include parts of Barnstaple, Exeter, and several rural and coastal communities in North and West Devon.
While Devon is often perceived as an affluent county, rural deprivation is both widespread and often hidden. Many rural communities in Devon face a combination of low wages, high housing and transport costs, and limited access to services. As a consequence, rural areas in Devon tend to be more deprived than rural areas in other parts of England.
The Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) assess deprivation across several domains and sub-domains. While Devon generally ranks less deprived overall compared to the national average, there are significant concerns in specific areas. Notably, almost half of Devon’s population live in areas ranked among the most deprived 20% nationally for indoor environment quality, a challenge that disproportionately affects rural communities, where housing conditions and heating efficiency are often poor.
Geographic barriers to services and housing related challenges represent a significant area of deprivation in Devon. There are approximately 189,300 people, equivalent to 1 in 4 people, that live in areas ranked among the 20% most deprived areas nationally. The highest levels of deprivation are concentrated in remote and sparsely populated districts such as Torridge, Mid Devon, and North Devon, where access to services is more limited.
Poor housing conditions, particularly in older rural properties, contribute to fuel poverty and increase vulnerability to extreme weather events, highlighting the intersection between deprivation and climate resilience.
Social isolation, particularly among older adults in rural areas, contributes to poor mental health and reduced wellbeing, exacerbating the effects of deprivation.
Digital exclusion remains a barrier to accessing services, education, and employment, particularly in rural areas with poor broadband infrastructure and among older or low-income households.
Although Devon has a relatively small ethnic minority population, there is evidence that some groups face additional barriers related to language, discrimination, and access to culturally appropriate services.
Child poverty and limited social mobility remain pressing challenges in Devon. While the county is often seen as prosperous, the reality is that one in eight children lives in poverty, with rates reaching over 33% in parts of Barnstaple. These children often face significant barriers to educational success and future opportunities, contributing to Devon’s status as one of the least socially mobile areas in the UK. This means that a child’s background continues to heavily influence their life chances, with limited pathways to upward mobility.
In-work poverty is a growing concern, with many families in low-paid, insecure, or unsociable-hour jobs still struggling to make ends meet. Improving access to skills development and secure, well-paid employment is essential to breaking the cycle of poverty and supporting long-term health and wellbeing.
Transport poverty, where individuals cannot afford or access reliable transport, affects both rural and urban communities in Devon. Addressing this requires better data and targeted investment in sustainable, affordable transport solutions.
Health inequalities further compound these challenges. There is a stark 15-year gap in life expectancy between the most and least deprived areas, such as Ilfracombe Central and Exmouth Liverton. People living in more deprived communities are more likely to suffer from chronic health conditions, poor mental health, and reduced access to timely healthcare, which affects their quality of life and ability to participate fully in society.
The COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis have deepened existing inequalities across Devon. Vulnerable groups have been particularly affected, with rising demand for food banks, mental health services, and financial support. These pressures have placed additional strain on already stretched community services and highlighted the urgent need for targeted interventions to support those most at risk. The cost-of-living has intensified the poverty premium, where low-income households pay more for essential goods and services, such as prepayment meters for energy, higher insurance premiums and limited access to affordable credit further entrenching disadvantage.
Local Insights, Lived Experience and Research: Deprivation Chapter
🏘️ Housing, Fuel Poverty, and Indoor Environment
Devon Health and Wellbeing – Poverty in Devon 2024
Residents in rural and coastal areas described struggling to heat poorly insulated homes, often relying on expensive fuel sources like oil or prepayment meters. Many reported choosing between heating and eating, especially during winter. Those in private or social rented housing, particularly single parents and disabled individuals, were disproportionately affected.
🚗 Transport and Geographic Barriers
One Northern Devon – Engaging Communities Project (2022)
Residents in Ilfracombe, Barnstaple, and surrounding rural areas shared that lack of affordable and reliable transport made it difficult to access healthcare, jobs, and education. Some described missing medical appointments or being unable to take up employment due to poor bus services or high fuel costs.
💻 Digital Exclusion
Devon Communities Together – Digital Inclusion Reports
Older adults and low-income residents in rural areas reported feeling left behind by the shift to digital services. Many lacked access to devices or broadband, and some expressed anxiety or frustration about navigating online systems for benefits, healthcare, or job applications.
👶 Child Poverty and Social Mobility
University of Exeter – Social Mobility in the South West (2022)
Young people from Devon shared experiences of low expectations, limited career guidance, and few local opportunities. One case study described a student who felt “trapped” in a cycle of low-paid work and unable to afford to move for better prospects. Others highlighted the importance of trusted adults and community spaces in shaping aspirations.
💷 In-Work Poverty and Employment
Devon Health and Wellbeing – Poverty in Devon 2024
Residents in low-paid or insecure jobs described working long hours but still struggling to afford basics. Some reported mental health strain from juggling multiple jobs or shift work, especially in hospitality and care sectors. Seasonal employment was a common theme in coastal areas.
🧠 Health Inequalities and Mental Health
One Northern Devon – Engaging Communities Project (2022)
Participants described feeling isolated and unheard, particularly those with long-term health conditions or disabilities. Mental health services were often seen as difficult to access, with long waits and limited local provision. Some residents expressed mistrust in services due to past negative experiences.
🧊 Cost of Living and Poverty Premium
Cost of Living Spotlight Review
Residents shared stories of rising food and energy costs, with some skipping meals or relying on food banks. The poverty premium was evident in accounts of paying more for energy via prepayment meters or being unable to access affordable credit. Community groups reported increased demand for crisis support.
| Gaps in insights and local research Indoor Environment Quality and Climate Resilience: Lack of resident insight into issues like damp, mould, ventilation, and the impact of extreme weather on health and housing. Limited feedback on experiences with retrofitting or energy efficiency schemes. Indoor Environment Quality and Climate Resilience: Lack of resident insight into issues like damp, mould, ventilation, and the impact of extreme weather on health and housing. Limited feedback on experiences with retrofitting or energy efficiency schemes. Older Adults and Social Isolation: Limited direct accounts from older adults, especially in rural areas. Need for deeper understanding of loneliness, digital exclusion, and navigating health and care systems. People with Disabilities: No dedicated lived experience research exploring how deprivation affects disabled people. Gaps in understanding accessibility, service barriers, and employment challenges. Urban Deprivation: Most lived experience research focuses on rural and coastal areas. Lack of qualitative data from residents in urban deprived communities, particularly in Exeter. Young Adults (18–25): Gap in understanding the experiences of young adults transitioning into adulthood. |
Deprivation and Poverty Priorities for Devon
- Target Deprivation Hotspots: Focus resources and interventions in areas such as Ilfracombe Town Centre, Barnstaple, and parts of Exeter. Improve access to employment, education, healthcare, and community services, informed by local voices and lived experience.
- Address Hidden Rural and Coastal Deprivation: Prioritise transport connectivity, affordable housing, and innovative rural service delivery models to reduce isolation and improve quality of life in dispersed communities. Include flexible, community-led transport and service access solutions.
- Improving Housing and Indoor Environments: Invest in energy efficiency, heating support, and housing improvements, particularly in older rural housing stock, to reduce fuel poverty and improve health outcomes. Target off-grid homes and those reliant on expensive fuel sources.
- Tackle Barriers to Housing and Essential Services: Support affordable housing development in remote areas such as Torridge, Mid Devon, and North Devon. Expand local services and enhance digital access to reduce geographic and digital exclusion.
- Reduce Child Poverty and Improve Social Mobility: Deliver targeted support in early years, education, and family services. Improve access to quality education, skills development, and career pathways for young people in deprived areas. Include mentoring, youth hubs, and community-based opportunities.
- Promote Access to Good Work and Skills: Address in-work poverty by supporting access to secure, well-paid, and flexible employment. Invest in lifelong learning and skills development to build economic resilience, especially in sectors with seasonal or insecure work.
- Support Working Families in Low-Paid or Insecure Jobs: Provide targeted support for those in shift-based, seasonal, or zero-hours employment—including access to childcare, transport, and financial advice.
- Ensure Equitable Access to Healthcare: Tackle inequalities in healthcare access, including preventative services and mental health support, particularly in underserved and deprived communities. Expand local, low-threshold mental health services.
- Respond to the Cost-of-Living Crisis: Strengthen collaboration with the voluntary and community sector and local government to support vulnerable households. Address the poverty premium by improving access to affordable essentials and financial support.
- Strengthen Crisis Support Pathways: Ensure timely, coordinated support for residents facing acute hardship (e.g. food insecurity, energy disconnection), with clear referral routes and reduced stigma.
- Develop a Transport Poverty Strategy: Improve data collection and invest in affordable, sustainable transport options across both rural and urban areas. Include demand-responsive and community-led transport models.
- Promote Digital Inclusion: Expand access to affordable broadband, devices, and digital skills training, especially in rural and low-income communities. Provide support for older adults and those with limited digital confidence.
- Enable Community Participation and Place-Based Approaches: Work collaboratively with communities to co-design services and invest in local assets. Support youth engagement and ensure residents with lived experience have a voice in decisions that affect them.
- Integrate Climate Resilience into Deprivation Planning: Ensure housing and infrastructure improvements in deprived areas also address climate risks, energy efficiency, and sustainability. Prioritise communities vulnerable to extreme weather and fuel poverty.
- Collaborate on Research into Rural and Coastal Deprivation: Partner with academic and research institutions to better understand and address the unique challenges of rural and coastal deprivation in Devon, including development of a more accurate measure of rural and coastal deprivation. Use this evidence to inform funding bids and policy design.
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