These projections show the number of households that would form if recent demographic trends continue. They are linked to the Government Actuary Department's 2003-based population projection for England and the Office for National Statistics 2003-based Sub National Population projection. At this stage, figures are available only at national and regional levels.

• In England the total number of households is expected to increase by 25% between 2001 and 2026.
• In the South West Region a 31% increase is expected by 2026. This is a total of 652,000 more households than recorded by the 2001 Census.The majority of additional households will be for people living on their own. The figures show that the region is likely to have over 430,000 additional one person households by 2026.
• The other significant increase is of co-habiting couple households, with an increase of 166,000 by 2026 expected for the Region.
• In contrast the number of married couple households in the South West is expected to fall by 22,000 between 2001 and 2026.
• The figures indicate that across England over a third of additional one person households will be for people aged 65+ years. In Dorset the proportion may be greater given the already high numbers of older people in the county.
• A comparison with the previous (1996-based)projections show that by 2021 the South West Region is expected to have 4% more households than previously expected.
• By 2026 the number of one person households in the Region is expected to overtake the number of married couple households, for the first time
• It is too early to assess in detail the impact of these projections for Dorset. Clearly, there will be increased pressure for housing, particularly to accommodate single people. The Regional Spatial Strategy will need to take account of these new projections.

If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact:

• Principal Researcher (Projects)
  Name: Helen Owens
  Email: h.j.owens@dorsetcc.gov.uk
  Tel: 01305 224354
  Fax: 01305 224602
  Full details for Helen Owens