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Economy and work in Sandwell

Metropolitan borough

The middle of the West Midlands. 352,918 people (mid-2025 estimate) in 86 square kilometres.

4 layers about economy and work for Sandwell, 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

Sandwell’s 190 neighbourhoods range from 10 to 185.

Median full-time pay

CouncilGreat Britain only
£33,029
ONS earnings survey · 2025

Full-time workers living in Sandwell earned a median of £33,029 in 2025.

Open in mapSource and methodEvery council ranked
Median full-time pay: Sandwell among every council348 areas from £29,805 to £57,396. The middle area is £38,490. Sandwell is £33,029.

People claiming out-of-work benefits

Council
15,105
ONS via Nomis · Aug 2026

In Sandwell, 15,105 people were claiming out-of-work benefits in August 2026.

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People claiming out-of-work benefits: Sandwell among every council361 areas from 20 to 77,930. The middle area is 2,690. Sandwell is 15,105.

Claimant rate

Council
6.7%
ONS via Nomis · Aug 2026

In Sandwell, 6.7% 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 West Midlands
26% higher5.3%
Against the UK
1.7 times3.9%
Open in mapSource and methodEvery council ranked
Claimant rate: Sandwell among every council361 areas from 1.1% to 10.1%. The middle area is 3.2%. Sandwell is 6.7%.

Employment rate

CouncilGreat Britain only
64.6%
ONS population survey · Mar 2026

64.6% of people aged 16 to 64 in Sandwell were in work in the year to March 2026.

Sandwell is joint 7th lowest of 348 for employment rate.

Open in mapSource and methodEvery council ranked
Employment rate: Sandwell among every council348 areas from 59.7% to 91.4%. The middle area is 76.3%. Sandwell is 64.6%.