Dorset vs New Forest
A side-by-side comparison of the Dorset and New Forestlocal authority areas — population, density, deprivation and age profile, from ONS Census 2021 and each nation’s Indices of Deprivation.
In short: Dorset is the more populous; council tax is lower in New Forest; New Forest has the higher share of Good/Outstanding schools.
| Dorset | New Forest | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 379,579 | 175,785 |
| Density | 152/km² | 234/km² |
| Deprivation | 3% in most-deprived 10% | 0% in most-deprived 10% |
| Council tax (Band D) | £2,765 | £2,420 |
| Schools Good/Outstanding | 79% | 96% |
| Aged under 16 | 15% | 15% |
| Aged 16–64 | 55% | 55% |
| Aged 65+ | 30% | 29% |