New data released by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) shows that Colchester continues to make progress in reducing deprivation, with fewer neighbourhoods now ranked among the most deprived in England.
The 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) places Colchester 173rd out of 296 local authorities nationally, with 2% of its neighbourhoods falling within the most deprived 10% – well below the national average of 10%.
The IMD measures relative levels of deprivation across 32,844 small areas or neighbourhoods in England, known as Lower-layer Super Output Areas (LSOAs), each with around 1,500 residents. The index considers seven key domains of deprivation: Income, Employment, Education, Health, Crime, Barriers to Housing and Services, and the Living Environment.
Colchester now has one LSOA – Magnolia in Greenstead – within the most deprived 10% nationally. Back in 2015, when Colchester was a borough, there were four such areas, showing a positive trend in tackling inequality.
Cllr Jocelyn Law, Portfolio Holder for Communities, Wellbeing and Public Safety, said: “While Colchester ranks well below the national average for deprivation, we know that even one neighbourhood facing hardship is one too many. That’s why we’re investing £6 million into Greenstead through the Heart of Greenstead regeneration programme – delivering new homes, health services, and community facilities to help turn the tide and create lasting opportunity.”
The Heart of Greenstead programme includes a new multi-use community hub with health, education and social facilities, affordable homes, major improvements to public spaces and infrastructure, free bikes for eligible residents through Essex Pedal Power, and a significant upgrade to Hawthorn GP Surgery.
Cllr Law added: “These figures show encouraging progress, but we know there’s still more to do. Colchester continues to grow rapidly, which brings challenges – but also opportunities. We remain fully committed to the kind of long-term, systemic change that supports our most vulnerable residents and helps build a fairer, healthier and more connected city.”
The council continues to work closely with partners across health, housing, education and the voluntary sector to ensure that investment and support are targeted where they are needed most.
Page last reviewed: 31 October 2025