Executive summary
Demographics and communities
Between 2011 and 2021, Canley experienced one of the fastest population growth rates among Coventry neighborhoods, with a 37.3% increase compared to the city’s average of 8.9%. The population grew by 1,500, reaching a total of 5,600. The fastest-growing demographic was young adults, particularly students, who now make up 25.3% of the population, much higher than Coventry's average of 9.8%.
The area also has a relatively high proportion of children (20.4%), and a lower percentage of elderly residents (9.6%) compared to Coventry’s average. Households composed of students and lone parents are notably more common in Canley than in other parts of Coventry.
Canley's population has become more diverse, with 40% being a part of an ethnic minority group, slightly lower than Coventry's overall average. The ethnic minority community grew faster than the White British population, reflecting increasing diversity, partly due to international migration.
Recent surveys indicate that feelings of belonging and social cohesion in Canley are below average and have declined in recent years. This decline may be linked to the rapid demographic shifts and the large transient student population, which could impact long-term social bonds within the neighbourhood.
Prospects
Avoidable differences in health emerge by the time a child reaches the age of five. In Canley, a lower percentage of children (53.2%) achieve a good level of development by age 5 compared to the Coventry (61.1%) and national average (65.2%). There are some factors that may contribute to child development that are measured, although these are not the only, or necessarily most important factors. These factors being: a higher-than-average percentage of low-birth-weight babies, higher maternal smoking rates, and lower breastfeeding rates. Additionally, child poverty is more prevalent in Canley than in other parts of Coventry, further impacting early development.
Education outcomes in Canley are below the city average. Fewer children living in Canley attend good or outstanding schools, and attainment levels at age 11 and 16 are lower. The proportion of children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) is significantly higher in Canley (24.1%) compared to Coventry (18.2%).
Canley experiences higher levels of multiple deprivation, with all areas ranking among the most deprived 20% in England. Economic inactivity is high, especially due to the large student population, with 31% of working-age residents being full-time students. Inactivity due to long-term sickness or disability is also above average, contributing to low employment rates in the area. In 2021, only 45.1% of Canley's working-age population were employed, significantly lower than Coventry’s average of 64.2%. The unemployment rate was also higher, at 7.7% compared to the city’s 5.9%.
These economic challenges result in lower household incomes in Canley. The average household income is £32,252, below Coventry’s average of £41,552. Additionally, 38% of households earn less than £20,000 annually, much higher than the 27% average across Coventry and 22% nationally. These factors contribute to Canley's poorer health and socioeconomic outcomes.
Housing and environment
The local environment of Canley is generally better than other areas in Coventry when it comes to factors such as green space access and air quality, both of which are relatively good. However, concerns about safety are prevalent among residents, with only 34% reporting they feel safe in their local area after dark, significantly lower than the Coventry average of 45%. While Canley’s overall crime rate is not higher than the city average, violent crime rates are and anti-social behaviour (ASB), though decreasing, remains a concern.
Housing in Canley is primarily composed of semi-detached homes, and there is a notably high proportion of socially rented housing (46.7%). Although house prices are slightly above the city average, they are relatively unaffordable for many residents. Additionally, Canley has higher-than-average rates of homelessness, reflecting a broader trend of increasing homelessness across Coventry.
Fuel poverty is also higher than both the Coventry and national averages. This is influenced by rising energy costs, lower incomes, and housing condition.
Health and wellbeing
Life expectancy in Canley is lower than the Coventry average for both males and females, and rates of premature mortality—people dying before the age of 75—are notably high. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated health disparities in Canley, with higher death rates among residents compared to the city average, reflecting the broader trend of increased mortality in areas of higher deprivation. COVID-19 vaccination rates were slightly below the city average, as were uptake rates for seasonal flu and childhood vaccinations, which also fell short of national rates.
Access to healthcare services is a challenge for Canley residents. They generally live further from GP practices, pharmacies, and hospitals than most Coventry neighbourhoods, which is made worse by the low levels of car ownership in the area. With 43.3% of households lacking access to a car, compared to the city’s average of 27.6%, transportation is a significant barrier to accessing healthcare services.
Lifestyle factors also contribute to poor health outcomes in Canley. Smoking rates are significantly higher than the city average, and alcohol-related hospital admissions are disproportionately high, further impacting the health of residents.