A new national survey has delivered a damning verdict on life in a prominent West Midlands town, ranking it among the very worst places to live in the United Kingdom.
Walsall has been placed 216th out of 220 locations in the annual study, effectively naming it the fifth least happy place in the country. The findings come from property giant Rightmove's widely referenced 'Happy at Home' index for 2025.
How the 'Happy at Home' Rankings Were Decided
The results are based entirely on the opinions of local residents themselves. Thousands of people across the UK were asked to rate their satisfaction with their area based on a variety of community and lifestyle factors.
This means, as the report highlights, that residents have assessed their own town's quality of life. Walsall's lowly position reflects significant local discontent, placing it far below the nation's happiest spot, the picturesque Yorkshire market town of Skipton.
West Midlands Towns Dominate the Lower Ranks
Walsall was not alone in receiving a poor report card from its inhabitants. The wider West Midlands region was notably represented towards the bottom of the table.
Birmingham was ranked 209th, while nearby Dudley fared slightly better but still languished in 201st place. The only areas considered less happy than Walsall were the London boroughs of Barking and Dagenham, Newham, and Havering, along with Rochester.
The town has faced well-documented challenges with crime and economic deprivation in recent years, though some may question if its position at the very foot of the table is entirely fair.
Contrast with the UK's Happiness Hotspots
The report underscores a stark national divide in community well-being. Following top-placed Skipton, the locations boasting the highest levels of resident happiness were Richmond upon Thames, Camden, and Harrogate.
For Walsall and its West Midlands neighbours, the 2025 index serves as a sobering snapshot of local sentiment, highlighting the perceived gap between their lived experience and that of the UK's most contented communities.
