Population

In 2001, 36% of the population of the former District Council area of Derwentside lived within what is now the Town Council area of Stanley.

The parish itself had a population of approximately 31,000 whilst Derwentside as a whole had a population of 85,074. 51% of the population was female and 49% male which was representative of the district and region.

As mentioned above, it should be noted that this represents one of the largest parishes in terms of population in England. Stanley Town Council therefore has the potential to be of particular significance both regionally and nationally.

Statistics illustrating the general health of the population within the parish are not as clearly representative of the former Derwentside District and are certainly not representative of the national picture. There is evidence that an above average percentage of the population suffers from poor health.

There is also a significant percentage of the population with a limiting long-term illness. For example 58.7% of Stanley residents described themselves as having good health compared to 61.3% in Derwentside and 68.8% nationally. There have been several strategies and programes undertaken in the area intended to improve public health but clearly further work is needed over the medium and longer term.