Young people abandoning Cumbria

Young people are not choosing to live in Cumbria, researchers have revealed.

The Changing UK BBC report found that in some areas of the county people aged between 20 and 24 only make up 3% of the population.

The report, commissioned by BBC Nations and Regions, looked at the Census and other statistics to see how communities had changed over the past 40 years.

But generally people have not deserted the county, despite it having areas where residents feel socially isolated.

Strong community

Cumbria's population is 496,000 - a modest increase of 3.1% since 1981 with more than 22.2% of pensionable age.

The report also found that in some areas of the county half the population was considered wealthy.

In considering social fragmentation, researchers used the word "anomie", the sociological term for "not belonging".

The percentage of people in the county who feel this way has risen slowly over the past 30 years, especially in pockets of Carlisle, Penrith and Westmorland, researchers found.

In almost all areas of the county anomie has increased.

Just below average

But areas where the feeling of isolation is relatively low include Workington and Whitehaven, places not classed as affluent, but with a strong sense of community.

The number of people considered to be on the breadline has also risen from 22% in 1970 to 25% in 2001.

But those who are considered asset wealthy - those with property worth £300,000 or more - has also risen, from 18% in 1980 to 20% in 2000.

In 2000, 27% of the UK population was considered breadline poor, meaning they were unable to save more than £10 a week or afford a holiday.

In Cumbria the figure is lower than the national average at 25%.

Parts of Westmorland and Penrith are the most affluent in the county with 50% and 43% respectively considered asset wealthy.

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