Cumberland covers an area of 3,012 square km. With an average population density of 91 people per square km, Cumberland is much more sparsely populated than the national average. Population density varies greatly across Cumberland’s wards ranging from 13 people per square km in Bothel and Wharrels ward to 4,499 people per square km in Upperby ward.
There are 133,000 jobs at workplaces in Cumberland. The manufacturing sector accounts for the greatest proportion of jobs (15.8%), while the wholesale and retail sector accounts for a further 14.3%, followed by the human health and social work sector (12.8%).
Compared to the national average, Cumberland has a much higher proportion of jobs in the manufacturing sector.
Average weekly earnings for residents in Cumberland are estimated to be £678, similar to the national average of £682.
The tables show some of the key findings from the housing studies about the housing market in Cumberland.
Table 1: dwelling stock and household estimate by sub-area
68.8% of Cumberland's population live in the biggest urban areas, reflecting the density figures reported above.
| Sub-area | Number of dwellings | Number of households |
|---|---|---|
| Carlisle City | 42,280 | 40,323 |
| Lakeland Fringe | 7,500 | 7,214 |
| Millom | 3,880 | 3,768 |
| Rural Carlisle | 10,630 | 10,351 |
| Solway Coast to Lakes | 11,990 | 12,282 |
| West Cumbria | 47,150 | 46,048 |
| LDNP - North Lakes (West) | 4,710 | 4,631 |
| LDNP - West Lakes | 1,130 | 1,111 |
| Cumberland | 129,270 | 125,458 |
Table 2: tenure profile by sub-area
This table highlights that Cumberland's housing market is dominated by owner-occupied properties and shows the relatively low number of homes available to those seeking to rent from registered providers.
| Sub-area | % Owner-occupied | % Private rented | % Affordable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carlisle City | 65.1 | 18.2 | 16.7 |
| Lakeland Fringe | 72 | 12.3 | 15.7 |
| Millom | 72.6 | 13.7 | 13.6 |
| Rural Carlisle | 75.2 | 15.2 | 9.6 |
| Solway Coast to Lakes | 74 | 12.8 | 13.3 |
| West Cumbria | 67.3 | 11 | 21.7 |
| LDNP - North Lakes (West) | 69.9 | 14 | 16.2 |
| LDNP - West Lakes | 75.4 | 14.6 | 10 |
| Cumberland | 68.5 | 14.1 | 17.4 |
Table 3: average price and rents in Cumberland by property type (December 2024)
| Property type | Average price | Average monthly rent |
|---|---|---|
| Detached | £277,000 | £846 |
| Semi-detached | £174,000 | £674 |
| Terraced | £137,000 | £599 |
| Flats and maisonettes | £96,000 | £517 |
Table 4: average rents in Cumberland by number of bedrooms (December 2024)
| Number of bedrooms | Average monthly rent |
|---|---|
| One bedroom | £520 |
| Two bedrooms | £603 |
| Three bedrooms | £678 |
| Four or more bedrooms | £850 |
Information from ONS.gov.uk shows in December 2024, the average house price in Cumberland was £167,000 – a rise of 4.8% since December 2023, and the average monthly private rent was £606 – a rise of 8.1% in the last 12 months.
Given the average weekly income, as previously mentioned is £678 per week, this means that the average monthly rent accounts for 22.3% of average income.