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Economy and work in Dorset

Unitary authority

The south east of the South West. 391,036 people in 2,491 square kilometres.

4 layers about economy and work for Dorset, each at the level its publisher released it, with its own date and source.

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Claimants by neighbourhood

Claimant count (Nomis) · August 2026

Under 1070 or more

Dorset’s 223 neighbourhoods range from 5 to 80.

Median full-time pay

CouncilGreat Britain only
£37,462
ONS earnings survey · 2025

Full-time workers living in Dorset earned a median of £37,462 in 2025.

Open in mapSource and methodEvery council ranked
Median full-time pay: Dorset among every council348 areas from £29,805 to £57,396. The middle area is £38,490. Dorset is £37,462.

People claiming out-of-work benefits

Council
4,900
ONS via Nomis · Aug 2026

In Dorset, 4,900 people were claiming out-of-work benefits in August 2026.

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People claiming out-of-work benefits: Dorset among every council361 areas from 20 to 77,930. The middle area is 2,690. Dorset is 4,900.

Claimant rate

Council
2.3%
ONS via Nomis · Aug 2026

In Dorset, 2.3% of residents aged 16 to 64 were claiming out-of-work benefits in August 2026.

For the UK as a whole, the figure was 3.9%.

Against South West
15% lower2.7%
Against the UK
41% lower3.9%
Open in mapSource and methodEvery council ranked
Claimant rate: Dorset among every council361 areas from 1.1% to 10.1%. The middle area is 3.2%. Dorset is 2.3%.

Employment rate

CouncilGreat Britain only
80.1%
ONS population survey · Mar 2026

80.1% of people aged 16 to 64 in Dorset were in work in the year to March 2026.

Dorset is 76th highest of 348 for employment rate.

Open in mapSource and methodEvery council ranked
Employment rate: Dorset among every council348 areas from 59.7% to 91.4%. The middle area is 76.3%. Dorset is 80.1%.