Understanding Slough: Population, Health and Community

Slough is a diverse and rapidly growing town with a young population and a strong workforce. It faces unique challenges in health, employment and housing, which impact the well-being of its residents.

Population & Demographics

  • Slough has 158,495 residents, with a nearly equal gender split (50.5% female, 49.5% male)
  • It has one of the youngest populations in England, with 28% of residents under 18, compared to 21% nationally
  • The working-age population (63%) is slightly higher than the national average (61%), but only 10% of residents are 65+, compared to 18% nationally
  • 64% of residents come from ethnic minority backgrounds (excluding white minorities), making it one of England’s most ethnically diverse areas.

Health & Life Expectancy

Life expectancy is lower than national and regional averages:

  • Men: 77 years, spending 19 years (25%) in poor health
  • Women: 82 years, spending 21 years (26%) in poor health.

Key health concerns include:

  • Smoking: 15% of adults (over 17,000 people)
  • Obesity: 66% of adults (over 75,000 people)
  • Diabetes prevalence is significantly higher than national and regional levels
  • Mental health: Over 1,600 people have a serious mental health disorder, and nearly 12,500 adults have depression.

Employment & Economy

  • 74% of working-age residents were employed in 2023, but the employment rate has yet to recover fully from the pandemic
  • Slough's economy is heavily influenced by its proximity to London and Heathrow Airport, providing opportunities in logistics, finance and technology.

Children & Young People

  • 43,800 children and young people (under 18) live in Slough - the 2nd highest proportion in England
  • Fertility rates remain among the highest in England, despite a decline in 2021
  • Over 9,000 children (23.2%) live in relative low-income families, and 234 children were in care as of March 2022.

Deprivation & Housing

  • Slough is ranked within the 5th most deprived decile in England, though none of its areas fall into the most deprived 10% nationally
  • Overcrowding is a major issue: Nearly 8,300 households had fewer bedrooms than needed in 2021
  • The average household size is 3.0 people, compared to 2.4 in England.

Further Information

For more detailed insights into Slough’s population and key statistics, refer to Slough’s People and Place report