About Derbyshire

A few facts and figures about Derbyshire in 2024 that helped inform the Council Plan.

• Derbyshire is a county with a rich, diverse heritage with spectacular landscapes such as the Peak District National Park and other unique attractions such as the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site
• The county is largely rural with many sparsely populated areas alongside larger built-up urban conurbations
• Derbyshire has a total population of 803,400 people
• Its population is expected to increase by 13% by 2043
• Population growth varies across the county ranging from just 5% in Derbyshire Dales to 30% in South Derbyshire
• Derbyshire has an increasingly ageing population with the 85+ population set to double by 2043
• The county's Black and Minority Ethnic population has more than doubled over the last 10 years, now representing 6% (50,200) of the county's population
• Derbyshire's economy is worth £17.9 billion with the largest sector being manufacturing which employs over 44,500 people
• Around 9.5 million people in the surrounding cities of Derby, Sheffield, Nottingham, Manchester, and Leicester live within easy reach of Derbyshire
• 28 market towns play a significant role in the local economy. Chesterfield is the county's largest town, with a population of 89,400