WesT Dunbartonshire Council
context & Statistics
West Dunbartonshire, an area of 98 Square Miles, is located in the West of Glasgow and shares borders with Argyll and Bute, East Dunbartonshire, Stirlingshire, Renfrewshire and Glasgow. It is a diverse area with a rich industrial heritage still evident in our local communities today. Across the three main areas of Clydebank, Dumbarton and the Vale of Leven we see diversity from the densely populated urban centre of Clydebank to the more rural setting of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, sitting in and beyond the northern edge of the Authority.
West Dunbartonshire includes the towns of Clydebank, Dumbarton and Alexandria and has a population estimate of 88,930 residents. The area consists of a lively business community that stretches along the banks of the Clyde to the shores of Loch Lomond. West Dunbartonshire has a rich past that is shaped by its world-famous shipyards, and boasts many attractions, ranging from the beauty of Dumbarton Rock to historic whisky warehouses. The area is not only one of great diversity and natural beauty, it is also well connected. Just half an hour from the heart of Glasgow, with its opportunities for employment and learning within universities and colleges. In addition, it is conveniently located to Glasgow airport and Paisley and therefore a good location for business development.
The local authority area consists of 121 of Scotland’s 6,978 Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation data zones and 17 Community Council areas. These are set within six ‘multi member’ wards.
WDC POPULATION Change
needs assessements informing planning
West Dunbartonshire has around 45,000 households; and just less than 25% of these homes are Council owned. Over the next 20 years it is estimated that households headed by over 60s will increase, as will the number of lone person households. At the same time, the number of larger households is projected to fall.
Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation
Despite its strengths, West Dunbartonshire is one of the areas in Scotland most affected by post-industrial decline. Its three town centres, Alexandria, Clydebank and Dumbarton have experienced steady decline in their comparative economic performance with some areas affected by wide ranging deep rooted poverty and deprivation.
As a result, West Dunbartonshire has higher than average concentrations of comparative deprivation and approximately 35,000 (37%) of the resident population have first hand experience of multiple deprivation.
Adults in WDC Below Average Earnings
Children and Young People Statistics
In 2020 there were 12,522 children living in West Dunbartonshire:
• 6816 pupils in the 32 primary schools in West Dunbartonshire.
• 5,501 pupils in the five secondary schools in West Dunbartonshire.
• 205 pupils in the three special need schools in West Dunbartonshire.
SIMD Numbers.docxMost recent SIMD figures in 2020 show 48.8% of West Dunbartonshire's school pupils are living in SIMD 1 and 2.
West Dunbartonshire has the 4th highest level of child poverty in Scotland, with 26% of children living in poverty and is set to rise to 33%. The most recent local child poverty figures (released 2018) show the statistics by council ward.
48 (40%) of West Dunbartonshire data zones are within the 20% most deprived in Scotland.