The 10 healthiest areas of England revealed – as report ranks best and worst places to live
An official report has revealed the 10 healthiest places to live in England – and those that are least healthy.
The Office for National Statistics Health Index ranked 307 local authorities and found Ribble Valley in Lancashire is the healthiest – as Blackpool comes dead last.
The beauty spot near Blackburn came up trumps on the Office for National Statistics’ Health Index, knocking Rutland off number one.
The districts of Hart, Rushcliffe, Wokingham and Waverley round out the top five, while Manchester, Middlesbrough, Lincoln and Nottingham sink to the bottom.
10 healthiest areas:
- Ribble Valley, Lancashire
- Hart, Hampshire
- Rushcliffe, Nottinghamshire
- Wokingham, Berkshire
- Waverley, Surrey
- Eden, Cumbria
- South Hams, Devon
- Epsom and Ewell, Surrey
- Mole Valley, Surrey
- South Oxfordshire
The ONS ranked 307 local authorities in England using pre-Covid data up to 2019 for disease and obesity rates, green space, housing, jobs, schooling and crime.
Nigel Evans, Tory MP for Ribble Valley, said: “It is fantastic to see the Ribble Valley named as the healthiest place in England.
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“Its beautiful scenery, excellent housing, schools and world-class restaurants make for a really magnificent place to live.
“We are also very lucky to have incredibly responsive local authorities as well as brilliant local GP surgeries.”
Stephen Atkinson, leader of the district council, added: “We are proud that not only is Ribble Valley one of the best places to live, but now is also one of the healthiest places in England.
“We aim to improve the health and wellbeing of people in our area by promoting healthy lifestyles.”
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The borough regained the title after holding it two years ago, with Rutland in the East Midlands and Waverley in Surrey also recent winners.
At the bottom of the table, major cities in the North and the Midlands fared worst, with Hull, Liverpool, Birmingham and Stoke featuring – as well as Thanet in Kent.
10 unhealthiest areas:
- Blackpool
- Manchester
- Middlesbrough
- Lincoln
- Nottingham
- Hull
- Liverpool
- Thanet, Kent
- Birmingham
- Stoke-on-Trent
Regional rankings saw the North West rated the healthiest area to live in but people scored healthiest in London, with the South East coming top overall.
The index compared the environment, jobs and facilities where people live, their health and habits, and rates of physical and mental illnesses.
ONS expert Greg Ceely said: “In 2019, health in England was similar to 2015, according to our overall Health Index score.
“Health risk factors for children and young people is the topic showing greatest improvement pre-coronavirus, while crime in 2019 shows the worst results compared with 2015.”