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Chichester Central: people, homes and local pressures

2,931 people were counted here in 2021. The figures below describe this ward; wider-area projects and proposals are labelled separately.

Electoral ward · May 2026 · E05011666

Chichester CentralChichester EastChichester NorthChichester SouthChichester WestEasebourneFernhurstFittleworthGoodwoodHarbour VillagesHartingLavantLoxwoodMidhurstNorth Mundham & TangmerePetworthSelsey SouthSidlesham with Selsey NorthSouthbourneThe WitteringsWestbourne
Electoral wards · May 2026. Police neighbourhoods and parishes are different boundaries.

Homes rented privately

37.2%

21 March 2021 · All households

People aged 65 or over

28.9%

21 March 2021 · All usual residents

People reporting bad or very bad health

5.5%

21 March 2021 · All usual residents; self-reported, not age-standardised

Households facing two or more deprivation measures

15.8%

21 March 2021 · All households

All Census figures and how they were calculated
Chichester Central · 2021 Census
MeasureFigureWho or what is counted
People2,931All usual residents. Published Census 2021 ward observation
Homes rented privately37.2%All households. Published Census 2021 ward observation
Homes rented from a council or housing association16.2%All households. Published Census 2021 ward observation
People aged 65 or over28.9%All usual residents. Published Census 2021 ward observation
People reporting bad or very bad health5.5%All usual residents; self-reported, not age-standardised. Published Census 2021 ward observation
People with no qualifications12.4%Residents aged 16 and over. Published Census 2021 ward observation
People with a degree or equivalent38.3%Residents aged 16 and over. Published Census 2021 ward observation
Households facing at least one deprivation measure48.9%All households. Published Census 2021 ward observation
Households facing two or more deprivation measures15.8%All households. Published Census 2021 ward observation

Household deprivation covers education, employment, health and housing. One or more and two or more are different measures. Census answers and boundary aggregation carry uncertainty.

Sources and methods →

What stands out in this ward?

Two of the largest differences from chichester district among the Census measures shown here. These describe the population in 2021, not why the differences exist.

Homes rented privately

37.2%

Chichester Central, compared with 18.1% across chichester district.

19.1 percentage points higher · 2021 · all households.

Households facing two or more deprivation measures

15.8%

Chichester Central, compared with 13.2% across chichester district.

2.6 percentage points higher · 2021 · all households.

Crime and safety in Chichester Central

Sussex Police did not provide crime data for January 2026 at the original publication. The checked changelog does not explicitly confirm a later crime-data refresh for that month. Published monthly records are retained, but annual totals, rates and year-on-year comparisons spanning that month are withheld pending confirmation. This does not mean the currently returned records are absent.

These are crimes with a published approximate location inside the ward. They do not measure every crime or your personal risk.

Not available

Mapped crimes, excluding anti-social behaviour · latest 12 months ending Aug 2026

Not available

Change against the previous 12 months

589

Anti-social behaviour reports · counted separately

0112225Sept 2024Aug 2026
See the figures
Monthly mapped crimes in Chichester Central, excluding anti-social behaviour
PeriodValue
Sept 2024140
Oct 2024133
Nov 2024119
Dec 202486
Jan 2025108
Feb 2025111
Mar 2025153
Apr 2025128
May 2025132
Jun 2025135
Jul 2025128
Aug 2025148
Sept 2025130
Oct 2025166
Nov 2025150
Dec 2025114
Jan 2026111
Feb 2026144
Mar 2026155
Apr 2026131
May 2026166
Jun 2026131
Jul 2026208
Aug 2026177
Categories and how to read these figures

Mapped police records only; approximate locations; excludes BTP and unmapped offences. ASB is separate. Rates use Census 2021 residents, not current residents, commuters or visitors. Not a measure of personal risk.

Not available mapped crimes per 1,000 people, using a 21 March 2021 population of 2,931. The population is a dated denominator, not an estimate of the number of people exposed to crime today.

Latest 12 months · categories
CategoryMapped crimes
Source, boundary method and downloads →

What could change here?

These are chichester district responses. They are relevant context, not a claim that each service or project operates in this ward.

Weakness · Chichester district

Housing pressure reaches beyond house prices

Nightly-paid temporary accommodation held 106 households in June 2026. This is one part of temporary accommodation, not all homelessness.

The district also reported 160 affordable homes enabled in 2025/26 against a target of 167. Supply and immediate housing need require separate measures.

Evidence and related projects

Average home price: £432,000 · July 2026 · Chichester district. Buying a home remains a substantial cost. Provisional, not seasonally adjusted; district average, not a city valuation.

Average monthly rent: £1,333 · August 2026 · Chichester district. Average rent rose from £1,294 in August 2025 to £1,333 in August 2026: £39 more each month, or £468 over a year at that monthly difference. Covers the private rental market, not just newly advertised lets; individual rents vary.

More temporary accommodation →

Threat · Chichester district

Growth needs working water infrastructure

Housing delivery must keep pace with wastewater capacity and protection of the harbour.

Capacity, nutrient pollution and water supply are different constraints. Their boundaries differ; a district-wide label can mislead.

Evidence and related projectsSouthern Gateway and the station →Wastewater treatment capacity →

Weakness · Chichester district

District totals can conceal local changes

Police neighbourhood trends differ within Chichester. City-centre activity cannot be inferred from the district average.

Published police locations are approximate and omit unmapped incidents. Counts do not measure every crime or the risk to an individual.

Evidence and related projects

Projects affecting this area

Proposed · evidence dated 2026-10-16

White Pavilion repairs

Architects were appointed to cost three repair options.

Priory Park · District council

Latest evidence: Design. Architects were appointed to cost three repair options.

Next thing to check: Chosen option, budget and works timetable.

Funding, expected benefit and evidence

Budget: No project-specific total verified

What success would mean: Building reopened and usable by clubs.

A stated aim is not proof that the benefit has happened.

Local area connection

The 2025 council ward report places Priory Park in Central ward; the project is identified as a pavilion within Priory Park.

Park association, not a surveyed pavilion footprint or a claim that only this ward benefits.

Chichester Central →

Chichester City Council supporting papers, 25 June 2025: Central ward report ↗ · checked 2026-10-17

Projects agreed for 2026 ↗ · checked 2026-10-16

Proposed · evidence dated 2026-10-16

Brick Pavilion future

A community-facing organisation submitted a planning application for the council’s preferred option. This is a different building from the White Pavilion.

Priory Park · District council and applicant

Latest evidence: Planning application. A community-facing organisation submitted a planning application for the council’s preferred option. This is a different building from the White Pavilion.

Next thing to check: Planning decision, lease and delivery agreement.

Funding, expected benefit and evidence

Budget: No project-specific total verified

What success would mean: A secure, accessible community use.

A stated aim is not proof that the benefit has happened.

Local area connection

The 2025 council ward report places Priory Park in Central ward; the project is identified as a pavilion within Priory Park.

Park association, not a surveyed pavilion footprint or a claim that only this ward benefits.

Chichester Central →

Chichester City Council supporting papers, 25 June 2025: Central ward report ↗ · checked 2026-10-17

Annual Report 2025–26 ↗ · checked 2026-10-16

Practical help and responsible organisations →