About Leicestershire

Leicestershire County Council in the East Midlands serves a population of over 600,000, covering seven district council areas. The main centres of population in the county are market towns, but the population is split between a few geographically small urban areas, extensive suburban areas and a range of rural settlements. The county includes the towns of Loughborough and Melton Mowbray to the north, Market Harborough to the south-east and Hinckley and Ashby-de-la Zouch to the west.

East Midlands airport is within the county area to the far north-west, and transport links are exceptionally good with the M1 motorway running through the county, and the M42 and M69 motorways branching off the M1.  County Hall is easily accessible just a few miles away from J22 of the M1.

The area is generally affluent, although a small number of wards are amongst the most deprived 20% of wards nationally. 17,000 people (approximately 3% of the population) live in these areas. Unemployment in the county is around 2.2%, which is below the national average. The average income per household is below the national average at £19,040 compared to £22,360.

Leicestershire has a relatively small ethnic minority population, mainly of Asian descent, and largely based in the boroughs of Charnwood and Oadby and Wigston. Interestingly, the city of Leicester is projected to be the first UK city to have an ethnic majority population, and it is expected that over time we will see a higher number of ethnic minority communities living in the county due to the expansion of these communities from within the city.

In terms of places to visit the county is full of wonderful scenery, churches, castles and museums, and the City of Leicester also contains a plethora of theatres and restaurants as well as leading venues for rugby union, cricket and football.

For more information please go to www.goleicestershire.com