Executive summary
Demographics and communities
Over the past decade, Binley and Willenhall's population grew by 6.5%, slightly below Coventry’s 8.9% increase. The area has a higher birth rate than the city average, with demographics varying by neighbourhood. Willenhall has more children and lone-parent households (14.6% vs. Coventry’s 8.3%), while Binley has more older residents, with a median age of 43 compared to Willenhall's 34.
The population is diverse, though fewer residents come from ethnic minority groups than Coventry overall (32.7% vs. 44.7%). Willenhall is more diverse, with 40.5% of residents from ethnic minority backgrounds. Newer arrivals contribute to population growth, but Binley and Willenhall have fewer new arrivals than the city average.
Residents feel less community cohesion and belonging compared to the city average and report lower cultural participation, both in City of Culture events and other cultural activities. They also express a need for better communication, social media advertising, local focus groups, and safe community spaces for all ages.
Prospects
Avoidable differences in health emerge by the time a child reaches the age of five. In Binley and Willenhall a lower percentage of children (53.6%) achieve a good level of development by age five, below the city average of 61.1%. Willenhall fares worse, with just 44.9%. There are some factors that may contribute to child development that are measured and the statistics are presented in this profile, although of course these are not the only, or necessarily most important factors. These factors being: higher maternal smoking rates and lower breastfeeding rates. However the area does have higher rates of early antenatal care and health visitor reviews.
Educational attainment is mixed: 58% of children meet expected standards at age 11, above the city average, but GCSE performance drops significantly.
33% of residents live in highly deprived neighbourhoods, with Willenhall facing higher deprivation and lower household income than most of Coventry. Unemployment and economic inactivity rates are high, though unemployment has declined over the past decade, except during the pandemic.
Residents stress the need for non-formal education and skills development for youth, focusing on mentoring, financial literacy, and work experience. They also prioritise boosting the city’s economic prosperity and addressing inequalities, as outlined in the One Coventry Plan.
Housing and environment
The living environment in Binley and Willenhall is a notable strength, with residents enjoying access to green spaces that exceed the city average. Air pollution levels are also lower than in most Coventry neighbourhoods, further enhancing the area's environmental quality. However, the housing situation varies significantly between the two neighbourhoods. Willenhall has a high concentration of socially rented households (50.0%), which is the highest in Coventry, compared to just 3.4% in Binley. Additionally, Willenhall has a large number of purpose-built flats or tenements, and despite having fewer people per household, 12.8% of households are classified as overcrowded, well above the city average of 7.7%.
Crime remains a challenge for Binley and Willenhall, with both neighbourhoods experiencing higher-than-average crime rates, which have risen in recent years. Willenhall, in particular, faces some of the highest crime rates in Coventry, while crime rates in Binley are below the city average. This contrast in crime levels between the two neighbourhoods highlights the need for targeted interventions to improve safety and security, especially in Willenhall.
Health and wellbeing
Willenhall has one of the city's lowest life expectancies, with males living an average of 71.3 years and females 78.6 years, well below Coventry’s averages of 78.1 and 82.1 years, respectively. Residents in Willenhall also experience longer periods of poor health before death, and the area has the highest rates of premature mortality from preventable causes such as cancer and circulatory diseases.
The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated these disparities, with Willenhall experiencing higher death rates and lower vaccination uptake. Mental health challenges, particularly depression, are more prevalent in Willenhall, and HIV rates are higher than average in parts of both Willenhall and Binley. Initiatives like "Healthy Communities Together" have been launched to address these health inequalities by fostering collaboration between health providers, local authorities, and community groups.
Access to healthcare services is relatively good, with most residents able to reach a GP or pharmacy within a 15-minute walk, and GP coverage in both areas surpassing the city average. While patient satisfaction remains high, lifestyle behaviours show mixed outcomes. Willenhall has higher rates of smoking, physical inactivity, and poor dietary habits, with lower consumption of fruits and vegetables and a higher reliance on fast food. These unhealthy behaviours are reflected in the area’s elevated rates of childhood obesity.