The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has released data showing the Midlands areas with the highest proportion of households owning three or more cars or vans. The figures reveal that in some affluent suburbs, car ownership far exceeds the national average, with certain postcodes recording nearly a quarter of homes having multiple vehicles.
Top Areas for Three-Car Households
The area with the highest rate is Shenstone, Stonnall & Little Aston in Staffordshire, where 24.2% of households own three or more cars. Other top locations include Dodford, Belbroughton & Romsley (23.24%), New Arley & Fillongley (21.6%), and Burntwood North East & Longdon (20.9%). In the West Midlands conurbation, Walsall South East (19.7%) and Handsworth Wood (18.9%) feature prominently, alongside Kingsbury & Curdworth (19%), Kinver (18.9%), Barnt Green & Lickey Hills (18.8%), and Balsall Common (18.7%).
City Centre Car-Free Living
At the opposite extreme, Birmingham city centre postcodes have the highest rates of households with no car. Five Ways North leads at 61%, followed by Central (60.8%), Digbeth (60.8%), North Central & Dartmouth Circus (59.2%), and Nechells (51.1%). Sparkbrook North (50.2%), Ladywood - Summer Hill (48.5%), Winson Green & Gib Heath (47.5%), Hockley & Jewellery Quarter (46.2%), and Summerfield (44.4%) also rank high. According to the ONS, the average number of cars per household in the UK is 1.2, with 12 cars for every 10 households in 2024.
Affluence and Transport Choices
The data indicates that residents in more affluent areas can afford multiple vehicles, while city centre dwellers may opt for public transport over car ownership. The ONS provided figures for properties with no cars, one car or van, two cars or vans, and three or more cars or vans, covering the Midlands region.
