Demographics
Eastbourne has historically been a popular retirement destination on account of its "quiet charm and elegance". The 2001 census showed that it had a larger than average over–60 population (just over 25% of the population being of retirement age as opposed to the UK average of 18.4%). In terms of residents of pensionable age, the parliamentary constituency ranks 6th in England and Wales. However, while the overall population of Eastbourne is growing (between 2001 and 2008 the population grew from 89,800 to 94,800), the age profile is dropping as younger people move into the town. Ethnically, the town is 93.7% white, with small non-white minority groups including Chinese, and white minority groups including East Europeans, Greeks (mainly from Cyprus), and other Europeans. The 2001 census indicated that the largest non-white ethnic group were Chinese; studies conducted by the local council in 2008 indicated that there has been a growth in people arriving from Eastern Europe, particularly Poland. Unemployment is higher than the regional average, with the low skill and education levels of the local population deterring business investment. Health is largely in keeping with the national average, though the number of teenage pregnancies is higher. Violent and sexual crime is higher than average, though thefts and burglaries are lower.
Read more about this topic: Eastbourne