Leafy villages in the West Midlands are among the most prosperous parts of the region, offering a stark contrast to the poverty found in parts of Birmingham. These quieter areas boast a higher standard of living than the typical Birmingham household, with money generally not a concern for the average resident.
South Staffordshire: A Collection of Affluent Villages
The most affluent parts of the region include the district of South Staffordshire, a collection of villages to the west of Dudley and north of Wolverhampton. If you are not familiar with this part of the West Midlands, you might never have heard of some of these places. They include Penkridge, Codsall, and Kinver. The standard of living, decent schools, and low crime rates make the district a sought-after place to find a home for those who can afford it. The average house price in the area is around £307,000.
Other Prosperous Areas
Other posh areas where barely anyone lives in high deprivation include Bromsgrove and Lichfield. It could not be further from the experiences of many parts of Birmingham, where close to half of areas are considered to suffer high deprivation. Figures were based on a recent national study examining deprivation levels across parts of England.
The Poorest Areas in England
The six poorest areas of England are all in Birmingham. Sparkhill North is considered the poorest place anywhere. The five others are Sparkbrook South, Small Heath Park, Saltley East, Washwood Heath, and Bordesley Green. It tends to be the way that areas on the fringes or surrounding a major, largely impoverished city tend to be much more affluent. This allows wealthier residents to live in more upmarket, quiet, and low-crime areas while still having easy access to the big city for work, schools, nightlife, and shopping.
