Official Statistics

Community and Engagement Survey 2025/26 - pride in local area: report

Updated 14 August 2026

Applies to England

This report summarises the key findings in the Community and Engagement Survey (CES) for neighbourhood and local community questions,^{[footnote 1]} including feelings of attachment towards the local area, reasons people were proud or not proud of their local area, overall satisfaction with local area, change in the local area over two years, and satisfaction with facilities and amenities in your local area. Reports for other sections within the CES are available on the annual web page.  

The CES is representative of people aged 16 and over in England. For simplicity, we will sometimes refer just to “people” in our reporting.

For information on how to use and interpret these statistics see the note available on the supplementary documents page.^{[footnote 2]}

1. Key findings:

1.1 Headline

62% of people aged 16+ agreed that they were proud to live in their local area, a 2 percentage point increase from 2024/25 (60%).

By local authority, there was a 52 percentage point difference in the proportion of people who agree that they are proud of their local area, from 87% in Richmond Upon Thames to 35% in Rushmoor. 

61% of people aged 16+ agreed that they would still like to be living in their local area in five years’ time, no significant change from 2024/25 (61%). 

By local authority, there was a 48 percentage point difference in the proportion of people who reported that they would still like to live in their local area in five years time, from 82% in the Derbyshire Dales to 34% in Slough. 

65% of people aged 16+ agreed that they would recommend their local area to others as a good place to live, a 1 percentage point decrease from 2024/25 (66%).

By local authority, there was a 55 percentage point difference in the proportion of people who recommended their local area as a good place to live, from 89% in St Albans to 34% in Slough. 

73% of people aged 16+ were either “very” or “fairly” satisfied with their local area as a place to live, no significant change from 2024/25 (73%).

By local authority, there was a 44 percentage point difference in the proportion of people who were satisfied with their local area, from 91% in St Albans to 47% in the City of London.

89% of people aged 16+ reported that they were satisfied with the facilities and amenities available in their local area. This question is new for 2025/26 and has no historic data to compare to.

70% of people aged 16+ reported they were satisfied with facilities and amenities used in their local area, a 5 percentage point decrease from 2024/25 (75%).

By local authority, there was a 42 percentage point difference in the proportion of people who reported that they were satisfied with facilities and amenities in their local area, from 89% in Wandsworth to 47% in Slough. 

2. Feelings of attachment towards the local area

Respondents were asked a series of questions to measure their feelings of attachment towards their local area. This included answering the extent to which they agree or disagree with the following statements:

• I am proud to live in my local area
• in five years’ time I would like to still be living in my local area
• I would recommend my local area to others as a good place to live

2.1 Timeseries

As shown in Figure 1.1, 62% of people feel proud of their local area, an increase from 2023/24 (59%) and 2024/25 (60%). 

Figure 1.1: People who feel proud to live in their local area: England: 2023/24 to 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

As shown in Figure 1.2, 61% of people reported that in five years time they would still like to be living in their local area, no change from 2023/24 (61%) and 2024/25 (61%).

Figure 1.2: People who report in five years time they would like to still be living in their local area: England: 2023/24 to 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

As shown in Figure 1.3, 65% of people would recommend their area as a good place to live, a decrease from 2023/24 (66%) and 2024/25 (66%).

Figure 1.3: People who would recommend their local area as a good place to live: England: 2023/24 to 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

3. Demographics: Who feels pride in their local area

Demographic questions in the survey are voluntary and self-reported by the respondent.

3.1 Age

As shown in Figure 1.4, compared with the average for people in England (62%), people aged 50 to 64 (63%), 65 to 74 (69%), and 75 and over (76%) were more likely to agree they are proud to live in their local area. People aged 16 to 24 (49%) and 25 to 34 (56%) were less likely to agree they feel proud to live in their local area compared with the average for people in England (62%). 

Figure 1.4: Percentage of people feel proud to live in their local area, by age, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

As shown in Figure 1.5, people aged 35 to 49 (63%), 50 to 64 (65%), 65 to 74 (73%), and 75 and over (80%) were more likely to agree that they would still like to be living in their local area in five years time compared with the average for people in England (61%). People aged 16 to 24 (36%) and 25 to 34 (51%) were less likely to agree that they would still like to be living in their local area in five years time compared with the average for people in England (61%). 

Figure 1.5: Percentage of people who report in five years time they would like to still be living in their local area, by age, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

As shown in Figure 1.6, people aged 35 to 49 (66%), 50 to 64 (67%), 65 to 74 (70%) and 75 and over (75%) were more likely to agree that they would recommend their local area to others as a good place to live compared with the average for people in England (65%). People aged 16 to 24 (53%) and 25 to 34 (63%) were less likely to agree that they would recommend their local area to others as a good place to live compared with the average for people in England (65%). 

Figure 1.6: Percentage of people would recommend their area as a good place to live, by age, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

3.2 Disability status

As shown in Figure 1.7, non-disabled people (65%) were more likely to agree they feel proud to live in their local area than disabled people (58%). 

Figure 1.7: Percentage of people who feel proud to live in their local area, by disability status, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

As shown in Figure 1.8, non-disabled people (63%) were more likely to agree that they would still like to be living in their local area in five years time than disabled people (60%). 

Figure 1.8: Percentage of people who in five years time would like to still live there, by disability status, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

As shown in Figure 1.9, non-disabled people (69%) were more likely to agree that they would recommend their local area to others as a good place to live than disabled people (60%). 

Figure 1.9 Percentage of people who would recommend their local area as a good place to live, by disability status, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

3.3 Sex^{[footnote 3]}

As shown in Figure 1.10, females (63%) were more likely to agree they feel proud to live in their local area than males (61%).

Figure 1.10: Percentage of people who feel proud to live in their local area, by sex, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

As shown in Figure 1.11, females (62%) were more likely to agree that they would still like to be living in their local area in five years time than males (60%). 

Figure 1.11: Percentage of people who report in five years time they would like to still be living in their local area, by sex, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

As shown in Figure 1.12, there were no significant differences observed between the proportion of males and females agreeing they would recommend their local area to others as a good place to live. 

Figure 1.12: Percentage of people who would recommend their local area as a good place to live, by sex, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

3.4 Gender identity^{[footnote 4]}

As shown in Figure 1.13, people whose gender identity was the same as their sex registered at birth (62%) were more likely to be proud to live in their local area than people whose gender identity was different from their sex registered at birth (49%).

Figure 1.13: Percentage of people who feel proud to live in their local area, by gender identity, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

As shown in Figure 1.14, people whose gender identity was the same as their registered at birth (61%) were more likely to agree that they would still like to be living in their local area in five years time than people whose gender identity was different from their sex registered at birth (46%). 

Figure 1.14: Percentage of people who report in five years time they would like to still be living in their local area, by gender identity, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

As shown in Figure 1.15, people whose gender identity was the same as their registered at birth (66%) were more likely to agree that they would recommend their local area to others as a good place to live than people whose gender identity was different from their sex registered at birth (58%). 

Figure 1.15: Percentage of people who would recommend their area as a good place to live, by gender identity, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

3.5 Sexual orientation^{[footnote 5]}

As shown in Figure 1.16, heterosexual or straight people (63%) were more likely to be proud to live in their local area than gay or lesbian people (57%), bisexual people (51%) and people from the “Other sexual orientation” classification (50%).

Figure 1.16: Percentage of people who feel proud to live in their local area, by sexual orientation, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

 

As shown in Figure 1.17, heterosexual or straight people (62%) were more likely to agree that they would still like to be living in their local area in five years time than gay or lesbian people (52%), people from the “Other sexual orientation” classification (48%) and bisexual people (46%). 

Figure 1.17: Percentage of people who in five years time would like to still live there, by sexual orientation, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

As shown in Figure 1.18, heterosexual or straight people (66%) were more likely to agree that they would recommend their local area to others as a good place to live than gay or lesbian people (62%), bisexual people (60%) and people from the “Other sexual orientation” classification (56%). 

Figure 1.18: Percentage of people who would recommend their local area as a good place to live, by sexual orientation, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

3.6 Religion

As shown in Figure 1.19, Christian people (67%) and Hindu people (66%) were more likely to agree they feel proud to live in their local area compared with the average for people in England (62%). People who reported having no religion (57%) and people from the Any other religion classification (55%) were less likely to agree they feel proud to live in their local area compared with the average for people in England (62%). 

Figure 1.19: Percentage of people who feel proud to live in their local area, by religion, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over )

As shown in Figure 1.20, Christian people (66%) were more likely to agree that they would still like to be living in their local area in five years time compared with the average for people in England (61%). People who reported having no religion (57%), Sikh people (55%), Muslim people (56%), and people from the Any other religion classification (54%) were less likely to agree that they would still like to be living in their local area in five years time compared with the average for people in England (61%). 

Figure 1.20: Percentage of people who report in five years time they would like to still be living in their local area, by religion, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

As shown in Figure 1.21, Christian people (69%) were more likely to agree that they would recommend their local area to others as a good place to live compared with the average for people in England (65%). People who reported having no religion (63%), Muslim people (59%), Sikh people (59%), and people from the Any other religion classification (57%) were less likely to agree that they would recommend their local area to others as a good place to live compared with the average for people in England (65%). 

Figure 1.21: Percentage of people who would recommend their local area as a good place to live, by religion, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

3.7 Ethnicity

As shown in Figure 1.22, people from the Arab (68%), Black African (68%), Indian (66%), White British^{[footnote 6]} (63%) and Any other Asian background (66%) ethnic groups were more likely to agree they feel proud to live in their local area, compared with the average for people in England (62%). People from the Any other White background (56%), Mixed White and Asian (55%), Bangladeshi (54%), Black Caribbean (53%), Mixed White and Black Caribbean (48%), and Gypsy or Irish Traveller (33%) ethnic groups were less likely to agree they feel proud to live in their local area compared with the average for people in England (62%).  

Figure 1.22: Percentage of people who feel proud to live in their local area, by ethnicity: England, 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

 

As shown in Figure 1.23, people from the Chinese (65%), Any other Asian background (64%), and White British (63%) ethnic groups were more likely to agree that they would still like to be living in their local area in five years time, compared with the average for people in England (61%). People from the Any other White background (57%), Pakistani (55%), Bangladeshi (54%), Black African (54%), Black Caribbean (52%), Mixed White and Black African (50%), Mixed White and Asian (47%), Any other Black or African or Caribbean background (47%), Mixed White and Black Caribbean (46%), Any other mixed or multiple ethnic background (53%) and Gypsy or Irish Traveller (25%) ethnic groups were less likely to agree that they would still like to be living in their local area in five years time compared with the average for people in England (61%). 

Figure 1.23: Percentage of people who report in five years time they would like to still be living in their local area, by ethnicity, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over) 

As shown in Figure 1.24, people from the Any other Asian background (69%), White British^{[footnote 6]} (66%), and White Irish (69%) ethnic groups were more likely to agree that they would recommend their local area to others as a good place to live, compared with the average for people in England (65%). People from Pakistani (57%), Black Caribbean (55%), White and Black Caribbean (54%), Bangladeshi (52%), and Gypsy or Irish Traveller (33%) ethnic groups were less likely to agree that they would recommend their local area to others as a good place to live compared with the average for people in England (65%). 

Figure 1.24: Percentage of people who would recommend their local area as a good place to live, by ethnicity, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over) 

3.8 Socio-economic classification^{[footnote 7]}

As shown in Figure 1.25, people from the higher managerial classification, administrative and professional occupations classification (66%) were more likely to agree they feel proud to live in their local area than people from the intermediate occupations classification (61%), the routine and manual occupations classification (54%) and the never worked and long-term unemployed classification (53%).

Figure 1.25: Percentage of people who feel proud to live in their local area, by socio-economic classification, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

As shown in Figure 1.26, people from the higher managerial, administrative and professional occupations classification (64%) and intermediate occupation classifications (63%) were more likely to agree that they would still like to be living in their local area in five years time than routine and manual occupations classification (57%) and never worked and long-term unemployed classification (55%). 

**Figure 1.26: Percentage of people who report in five years time they would like to still be living in their local area, by socioeconomic classification, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over) **

As shown in Figure 1.27, people from the higher managerial classification, administrative and professional occupations classification (72%) were more likely to agree that they would recommend their local area to others as a good place to live than intermediate occupations classification (66%), routine and manual occupations classification (58%) and never worked and long-term unemployed classification (54%). 

Figure 1.27: Percentage of people who would recommend their local area as a good place to live, by socio-economic classification, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

3.9 Index of multiple deprivation^{[footnote 8]}

As shown in Figure 1.28, people living in the least deprived areas (10th decile, 78%) were more likely to agree that they were proud to live in their local area than people living in the most deprived areas (1st decile, 40%).  

Figure 1.28: Percentage of people who feel proud to live in their local area, by Index of Multiple Deprivation, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

As shown in Figure 1.29, people living in the least deprived areas (10th decile, 74%) were more likely to agree that they would still like to be living in their area in five years time than people living in the most deprived areas (1st decile, 42%).

Figure 1.29: Percentage of people who report in five years time they would like to still be living in their local area, by Index of Multiple Deprivation, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

As shown in Figure 1.30, people living in the least deprived areas (10th decile, 83%) were more likely to agree that they would recommend their local area to others as a good place to live than people living in the most deprived areas (1st decile, 38%). 

Figure 1.30: Percentage of people who would recommend their local area as a good place to live, by Index of Multiple Deprivation, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

4. Pride in local area by ITL1 and LA area

4.1 Regional differences^{[footnote 9]}

As shown in Figure 1.31, compared with the average for people in England (62%), people living in the East of England (64%), South East (64%), and South West (67%) ITL1 areas were more likely to agree they feel proud to live in their local area. People living in the North West (60%), East Midlands (60%), North East (59%), West Midlands (58%), and London (59%) ITL1 areas were less likely to agree they feel proud to live in their local area compared with the average for people in England (62%). 

4.2 Local authority differences^{[footnote 10]}

By local authority, there was a 52 percentage point difference in the proportion of people who agree that they are proud of their local area, from 87% in Richmond Upon Thames to 35% in Rushmoor. 

The proportion of people who agree that they are proud of their local area was in line with the England average in 88 (30%) local authorities, higher than the England average in 119 (40%) local authorities, and lower than the England average in 88 (30%) local authorities.

Figure 1.31: People who feel proud to live in their local area by ITL1 area and local authority: England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

5. Those who in five years from now would still like to live in their local area by Local Authority area and ITL1 area

5.1 Regional differences^{[footnote 9]}

As shown in Figure 1.32, compared with the average for people in England (61%), people living in the South West (66%), South East (63%), and East of England (63%) ITL1 areas were more likely to agree that they would still like to be living in their local area in five years time. People living in the West Midlands (58%) and London (55%) ITL1 areas were less likely to agree that they would still like to be living in their local area in five years time (61%). 

5.2 Local authority differences^{[footnote 10]}

By local authority, there was a 48 percentage point difference in the proportion of people who reported that they would still like to live in their local area in five years time, from 82% in the Derbyshire Dales to 34% in Slough. 

The proportion of people who reported that they would still like to live in their local area in five years time was in line with the England average in 121 (41%) local authorities, higher than the England average in 105 (36%) local authorities, and lower than the England average in 69 (23%) local authorities.

Figure 1.32: People who in five years from now would still like to live in their local area by ITL1 area and local authority: England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

6. Those who would recommend their local area as a good place to live by ITL1 and LA area

6.1 Regional differences^{[footnote 9]}

As shown in Figure 1.33, compared with the average for people in England (65%), people living in the South West (71%), South East (69%), and East of England (68%) ITL1 areas were more likely to agree that they would recommend their local area to others as a good place to live. People living in the London (63%), North West (63%), North East (61%), and West Midlands (60%) ITL1 areas were less likely to agree that they would recommend their local area to others as a good place to live (65%). 

6.2 Local authority differences^{[footnote 10]}

By local authority, there was a 55 percentage point difference in the proportion of people who recommended their local area as a good place to live, from 89% in St Albans to 34% in Slough. 

The proportion of people who would recommend their local area as a good place to live was in line with the England average in 90 (31%) local authorities, higher than the England average in 123 (42%) local authorities, and lower than the England average in 82 (28%) local authorities.

Figure 1.33: People who recommend their local area as a good place to live by ITL1 area and local authority: England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

7. Overall satisfaction

Respondents were asked about their overall satisfaction with their local area as a place to live.

7.1 Timeseries

As shown in Figure 2.1, in 2025/26, 73% of respondents were satisfied (very or fairly satisfied) with their local area as a place to live. These levels of satisfaction with the local area (very or fairly satisfied) in 2023/24 (74%), 2024/25 (73%), and 2025/26 (73%) were lower than in all previous years from 2017/18 to 2021/22 (between 76% and 79%) but have remained consistent with no significant change between 2024/25 and 2025/26. 

Note: There are considerable changes in the confidence intervals between each year due to the sample size of the survey. Where the sample has been boosted, the confidence intervals will narrow to reflect higher confidence in the estimates.

Figure 2.1: Percentage of people satisfied with their local area as a place to live: England: 2017/18 to 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

As shown in Figure 2.2, of those people who agreed that they felt proud to live in their local area, they were asked their reasons for giving this response. The most common reasons given were that the area felt safe to live in (70%), the presence of green and natural spaces (64%) and that people were respectful and friendly (59%). Other factors mentioned by at least three in ten people included good transport links (48%), a good range of shops and facilities (45%), and a strong sense of community (33%).  

Figure 2.2: Reasons for people being proud to live in their local area: England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

As shown in Figure 2.3, of those people who did not agree that they felt proud to live in their local area, they were asked their reasons for giving this response. The most common reasons given were disrespectful or troublesome people (66%), that the area is run down (62%), and safety concerns (61%). Other factors mentioned by at least three in ten people included lack of community (43%) and lack of activities and fun things to do (35%).  

Figure 2.3: Reasons for people not being proud to live in their local area: England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

8. Demographics: Satisfaction with local area as a place to live

Demographic questions in the survey are voluntary and self-reported by the respondent.

8.1 Age

As shown in Figure 2.4, people aged 50 to 64 (75%), 65 to 74 (80%) and 75 and over (84%) were more likely to be satisfied with their local area as a place to live compared with the average for people in England (73%).  People aged 16 to 24 (64%) and 25 to 34 (69%) were less likely to be satisfied with their local area as a place to live compared with the average for people in England (73%). 

Figure 2.4: Percentage of people satisfied with their local area as a place to live, by age, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

8.2 Disability status

As shown in Figure 2.5, non-disabled people (77%) were more likely to be satisfied with their local area as a place to live than disabled people (69%). 

Figure 2.5: Percentage of people satisfied with their local area as a place to live, by disability status, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

8.3 Sex^{[footnote 3]}

As shown in Figure 2.6, females (74%) were more likely to be satisfied with their local area as a place to live than males (73%). 

Figure 2.6: Percentage of people satisfied with their local area as a place to live, by sex, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

8.4 Gender identity^{[footnote 4]}

As shown in Figure 2.7, people whose gender identity was the same as their sex registered at birth (73%) were more likely to be satisfied with their local area as a place to live than people whose gender identity was different from their sex registered at birth (67%). 

Figure 2.7: Percentage of people satisfied with their local area as a place to live, by gender identity, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

8.5 Sexual orientation^{[footnote 5]}

As shown in Figure 2.8, heterosexual or straight people (74%) were more likely to be satisfied with their local area as a place to live than gay or lesbian people (70%), bisexual people (70%) and people from the “Other sexual orientation” classification (63%). 

Figure 2.8: Percentage of people satisfied with their local area as a place to live, by sexual orientation, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

8.6 Religion

As shown in Figure 2.9, Christian people (77%) and Jewish people (77%) were more likely to be satisfied with their local area as a place to live compared with the average for people in England (73%). People who reported having no religion (71%), Muslim people (69%), Sikh people (67%), and people from the Any other religion classification (67%) were less likely to be satisfied with their local area as a place to live compared with the average for people in England (73%). 

Figure 2.9: Percentage of people satisfied with their local area as a place to live, by religion, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

8.7 Ethnicity

As shown in Figure 2.10, people from the Any other Asian background (76%) and White British^{[footnote 7]} (74%) ethnic groups were more likely to be satisfied with their local area as a place to live, compared with the average for people in England (73%). People from the Any other White background (70%), Pakistani (68%), Bangladeshi (65%), White and Black Caribbean (64%), Black Caribbean (63%), and White Gypsy or Irish Traveller (43%) ethnic groups were less likely to be satisfied with their local area as a place to live compared with the average for people in England (73%). 

Figure 2.10: Percentage of people satisfied with their local area as a place to live, by ethnicity, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

8.8 Socio-economic classification^{[footnote 6]}

As shown in Figure 2.11, people from the higher managerial, administrative and professional occupations classification (78%) were more likely to be satisfied with their local area as a place to live than people from the intermediate occupations classification (74%), the routine and manual occupations classification (67%) and the never worked and long-term unemployed classification (65%). 

Figure 2.11: Percentage of people satisfied with their local area as a place to live, by socio-economic classification, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

8.9 Index of multiple deprivation^{[footnote 8]}

As shown in Figure 2.12, people living in the least deprived areas (10th decile, 87%) were more likely to be satisfied with their local area as a place to live than people living in the most deprived areas (1st decile, 52%). 

Figure 2.12: Percentage of people satisfied with their local area as a place to live, by Index of Multiple Deprivation, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

9. Satisfaction with local area by local authority area and ITL1 area

9.1 Regional differences^{[footnote 9]}

As shown in Figure 2.13, compared with the average for people in England (73%), people living in the South West (79%), South East (77%), and East of England (75%) ITL1 areas were more likely to be satisfied with their local area as a place to live. People living in the North West (71%), London (69%), North East (69%), and West Midlands (68%) ITL1 areas were less likely to be satisfied with their local area as a place to live (73%). 

9.2 Local authority differences^{[footnote 10]}

By local authority, there was a 44 percentage point difference in the proportion of people who were satisfied with their local area, from 91% in St Albans to 47% in the City of London.

The proportion of people who were satisfied with their local area was in line with the England average in 91 (31%) local authorities, higher than the England average in 125 (42%) local authorities, and lower than the England average in 79 (27%) local authorities.

Figure 2.13: People who are satisfied with their local area as a place to live by ITL1 area and local authority: England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

10. Satisfaction with facilities and amenities in your local area

Respondents were asked for the first time in 2025/26 how satisfied they were with their local facilities and amenities in their local area. 70% of people aged 16+ reported they were satisfied with facilities and amenities used in their local area.

11. Demographics: Satisfaction with facilities and amenities used in the local area

Demographic questions in the survey are voluntary and self-reported by the respondent.

11.1 Age

As shown in Figure 3.1, people aged 35 to 49 (73%) and 50 to 64 (72%) were more likely to report that they were satisfied with facilities and amenities used in their local area compared with the average for people in England (70%). People aged 16 to 24 (67%) were less likely to report that they were satisfied with facilities and amenities used in their local area compared with the average for people in England (70%). 

Figure 3.1: Percentage of people who were satisfied with facilities and amenities used in their local area, by age, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

11.2 Disability status

As shown in Figure 3.2, non-disabled people (75%) were more likely to report that they were satisfied with facilities and amenities used in their local area than disabled people (65%). 

Figure 3.2: Percentage of people who were satisfied with facilities and amenities used in their local area, by disability status, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

11.3 Sex^{[footnote 3]}

As shown in Figure 3.3, females (72%) were more likely to report that they were satisfied with facilities and amenities used in their local area than males (70%). 

Figure 3.3: Percentage of people who were satisfied with facilities and amenities used in their local area, by sex, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

11.4 Gender identity^{[footnote 4]}

As shown in Figure 3.4, people whose gender identity was the same as their sex registered at birth (71%) were more likely to report that they were satisfied with facilities and amenities used in their local area than people whose gender identity was different from their sex registered at birth (67%). 

Figure 3.4: Percentage of people who were satisfied with facilities and amenities used in their local area, by gender identity, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

11.5 Sexual orientation^{[footnote 5]}

As shown in Figure 3.5, heterosexual or straight people (72%), bisexual people (72%), and gay and lesbian people (70%) were more likely to report that they were satisfied with facilities and amenities used in their local area than people from the “Other sexual orientation” classification (63%). 

Figure 3.5: Percentage of people who were satisfied with facilities and amenities used in their local area, by sexual orientation, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

11.6 Religion

As shown in Figure 3.6, Christian people (72%) were more likely to report that they were satisfied with facilities and amenities used in their local area compared with the average for people in England (70%). People from the Any other religion classification (64%) were less likely to report that they were satisfied with facilities and amenities used in their local area compared with the average for people in England (70%). 

Figure 3.6: Percentage of people who were satisfied with facilities and amenities used in their local area, by religion, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

11.7 Ethnicity

As shown in Figure 3.7, people from the Any other Asian background (77%), Any other ethnic group (75%), Black African (74%), Any other White background (72%), Indian (73%) and White British^{[footnote 6]} (71%) ethnic groups were more likely to report that they were satisfied with facilities and amenities used in their local area, compared with the average for people in England (70%). People from the Black Caribbean (67%), White and Black Caribbean (64%), and White Gypsy or Irish Traveller (41%) ethnic groups were less likely to report that they were satisfied with facilities and amenities used in their local area compared with the average for people in England (70%). 

Figure 3.7: Percentage of people who were satisfied with facilities and amenities used in their local area, by ethnicity, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

11.8 Socio-economic classification^{[footnote 7]}

As shown in Figure 3.8, people from the higher managerial, administrative and professional occupations classification (76%) were more likely to report that they were satisfied with facilities and amenities used in their local area than people from the intermediate occupations classification (72%), the routine and manual occupations classification (66%) and the never worked and long-term unemployed classification (62%). 

Figure 3.8: Percentage of people who were satisfied with facilities and amenities used in their local area, by socio-economic classification, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

11.9 Index of multiple deprivation^{[footnote 8]}

As shown in Figure 3.9, people living in the least deprived areas (10th decile, 81%) were more likely to report that they were satisfied with facilities and amenities used in their local area than people living in the most deprived areas (1st decile, 59%). 

Figure 3.9: Percentage of people who were satisfied with facilities and amenities used in their local area, by Index of Multiple Deprivation, England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

12. Overall satisfaction with facilities and amenities used in local area by Local Authority area and ITL1 area

12.1 Regional differences^{[footnote 9]}

As shown in Figure 3.10, compared with the average for people in England (70%), people living in the London (75%) and South East (73%) ITL1 areas were more likely to report that they were satisfied with facilities and amenities used in their local area. People living in the Yorkshire and The Humber (69%), North West (69%), East Midlands (68%), North East (66%), and West Midlands (66%) ITL1 areas were less likely to report that they were satisfied with facilities and amenities used in their local area than the average for people in England (70%). 

12.2 Local authority differences^{[footnote 10]}

By local authority, there was a 42 percentage point difference in the proportion of people who reported that they were satisfied with facilities and amenities used in their local area, from 89% in Wandsworth to 47% in Slough. 

The proportion of people who reported that they were satisfied with facilities and amenities used in their local area was in line with the England average in 159 (54%) local authorities, higher than the England average in 67 (23%) local authorities, and lower than the England average in 69 (23%) local authorities.

Figure 3.10: Percentage of people who were satisfied with facilities and amenities used in their local area by ITL1 area and local authority: England: 2025/26 (Base: All people aged 16 and over)

1. Questions within the Community pathway of the Community and Engagement Survey were asked to respondents from October 2025 to March 2026 only. ↩

2.   The majority of estimates in this report are rounded to the nearest whole number. As data are rounded, some changes may appear bigger or smaller than they are. The unrounded numbers are available in the corresponding data tables.  ↩

3.   This data is based on the respondent’s sex. The Community and Engagement Survey respondents were asked the question “What is your sex?”. The response options were ‘Male’, ‘Female’ and ‘Prefer not to Say’. This closely follows the ONS Census 2021 question for sex, where the target concept was certificated sex meaning a person’s sex at birth or as modified by a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC), but has been slightly amended to include a ‘Prefer not to Say’ option as we do for all demographic questions in the Community and Engagement Survey. ↩ ↩² ↩³

4.   This data is based on the respondent’s gender identity. The Community and Engagement Survey respondents were asked the question ‘Is the gender you identify with the same as your sex registered at birth?. The response options were ‘Yes’, ‘No, type in gender identity’ or ‘Prefer not to say’. This closely follows the ONS Census 2021 question for England and Wales, but has been slightly amended to include a ‘Prefer not to Say’ option as we do for all demographic questions in the Community and Engagement Survey. It should be noted that in the Census 2021 data for England and Wales, patterns were identified that suggest that some respondents may not have interpreted the question as intended, notably those with lower levels of English language proficiency. Analysis of Scotland’s Census 2022, where the gender identity question was different, has added weight to this observation. More information can be found in the ONS sexual orientation and gender identity quality information report and the additional guidance and quality information for users of gender identity estimates from Census 2021 in England and Wales. Similar respondent error may have occurred during the data collection for these statistics so comparisons between subnational and other smaller group breakdowns should be considered with caution. ↩ ↩² ↩³

5.  Sexual orientation is an umbrella term covering sexual identity, attraction, and behaviour. For an individual respondent, these may not be the same. For example, someone in an opposite-sex relationship may also experience same-sex attraction, and vice versa. This means the statistics should be interpreted purely as showing how people responded to the question, rather than being about whom they are attracted to or their actual relationships. ↩ ↩² ↩³

6. The White British ethnic group includes people from an English, Welsh, Scottish, Northern Irish or British ethnic group ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

7. This is a form of socio-economic classification based on the employment status and occupation of the respondent. ↩ ↩² ↩³

8. The Index of Multiple Deprivation is a geographical measure which classifies the relative deprivation of an area. It combines seven indices to produce one overall measure for the area (rather than the individual). It takes into account income, employment, education, skills and training, health and disability, crime, barriers to housing and services, and living environment. For this commentary, the most and least deprived deciles have been compared. There may be some other significant differences between deciles in between which have not been commented on here.  The analysis of the Index of Multiple Deprivation was conducted using the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation. ↩ ↩² ↩³

9. This data is also available by combined authority level and ITL2 area level in the corresponding data tables.  ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵

10. The 2025/26 Community and Engagement Survey includes over 175,000 responses, so confidence intervals are generally very narrow. Whilst this reflects a strength of the data, when highlighting differences, some local authorities may be shown to be above/below the England average, but are only a percentage point more or less than the average. There will be other local authorities who are much higher or lower than the England average, but will both be shown in the same shading within the map. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵