West Oxfordshire District Council

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West Oxfordshire factfile

West Oxfordshire is a rural area covering 71,494 hectares. With around 106,000 people living in the district, it is one of the most sparsely populated of the 67 local authorities in South East England. A third of the district is in the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and 2% lies within the Green Belt surrounding Oxford city.

View a map of West Oxfordshire

Key facts

The district has 83 parishes, ranging from towns to hamlets.
The district's population is spread out over a wide area, however it is mainly concentrated in the towns of Witney and Carterton. Other towns are Burford, Charlbury, Chipping Norton and Woodstock.
Only 4 towns have more than 5,000 residents and 40% of the total population lives in the District's 2 largest towns: Witney (over 25,000) and Carterton (around 14,000).
West Oxfordshire has an ageing population and significant change is expected in the age range of its population: an increase of more than 70% in the number of people aged 75+ is predicted by 2026; a declining number of young people, with a forecast reduction of 15% in the 0-15 age group between 2001-2016.)

More information

West Oxfordshire has a strong economy and one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country.
See economic development.
Tourism plays a major role in the district's economy, attracting around 3.8 million visitors and £249 million to West Oxfordshire per year.
See Tourism and the Oxfordshire Cotswolds website .
A major new shopping and leisure complex opened in the district's largest town, Witney, on land owned by the District Council in 2009. Complementing the town centre, the complex opened at a time when plans for other shopping centres elsewhere in the UK were put on hold due to the recession. Traders report that business is exceeding expectations.
See Marriotts Walk.
The main towns have buoyant markets and farmers markets.
There are a range of leisure opportunities, some of which the District Council is responsible for providing.
See leisure facilities.
The District Council provides waste and recycling collections to all households in the district and some businesses. Household recycling collections include weekly food waste, weekly recycling for a range of materials and fortnightly garden waste. The fortnightly garden waste collections alternates with household rubbish (non-recyclables) collections.
See waste and recycling collections.
Parking at Council-owned car parks is free.

Further facts and figures

The Oxfordshire Data Observatory provides a single access point for statistics and information about towns and parishes across the county. The information includes:

population levels;
information on historical and projected population growth;
area profile information;
the local economy;
education and skills;
housing; and
information on travel patterns.

Census information

The Council has put together a Census 2001 Results for West Oxfordshire leaflet which contains key facts and figures about population, household information and the economy. The 2011 Census took place on 27 March and will give the latest information about West Oxfordshire when it is published.

Information for the Media

See our news centre or complete an online media enquiry form if you have an enquiry. Alternatively call 01993 861615.