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Test Valley, in numbers
Test Valley local authority area. Every figure carries its own date.
Strengths to build on. Pressures to address. Choices to make.
These assessments connect evidence with proposed responses. They are not ratings of council performance.
strength
October’s decision funds priority town-centre projects and retains a separate rural fund.
Andover, Romsey and rural communities can follow different schemes within one clear programme.
What could help →strength
Average private rent is £1,235 a month (August 2026) in Test Valley council area. This is £224 lower than the England average for the same month. Homes rented privately ranged from 9.3% in North Baddesley to 21.5% in Mid Test — a gap of 12.3 percentage points.
Housing costs matter most alongside earnings and the number of affordable homes available. A local average cannot tell us whether a particular household can afford its home.
What could help →strength
3.9% of people reported bad or very bad health in Test Valley council area (21 March 2021). Across England, the figure was 5.2%. People reporting bad or very bad health ranged from 2.2% in Valley Park to 6.1% in Andover St Mary's — a gap of 3.9 percentage points.
This is how residents described their health in the census. It can reveal differences between neighbourhoods, but does not diagnose illness or measure current waiting times. Age profiles differ between places, so these shares do not measure service quality.
What could help →strength
35.7% of people aged 16 or over had a degree or equivalent (21 March 2021) in Test Valley council area. Across England, the figure was 33.9%. People aged 16+ with no qualifications ranged from 7% in Valley Park to 23.3% in Andover St Mary's — a gap of 16.3 percentage points.
Qualifications show one part of the skills available locally. They do not show whether people have secure jobs or work that uses those skills.
What could help →weakness
The Western Avenue park requires highway changes, and Romsey’s preferred plan changes the bus-station area.
People still need routes, parking where required, buses and meeting space during construction.
What could help →opportunity
The theatre and riverside park are part of the same Andover regeneration programme.
Connected destinations could encourage longer visits and make everyday public space more useful.
What could help →opportunity
21.2% of people in Test Valley council area were aged 65 or over (21 March 2021). People aged 65 or over ranged from 5.9% in Andover Downlands to 35.9% in Romsey Abbey — a gap of 29.9 percentage points.
Age alone does not mean poor health or a need for care. Accessible homes, reliable transport and support close to home matter as people get older.
What could help →opportunity
Mapped police records are available for neighbourhoods in Test Valley council area.
Published locations are approximate and some crimes are not mapped. Counts show recorded incidents, not the chance of an individual becoming a victim.
What could help →opportunity
4 named local projects or plans have official evidence in this collection.
A published plan makes responsibilities and intentions easier to inspect. It does not prove that funding is secured or that promised benefits have arrived.
What could help →opportunity
Households facing two or more measured disadvantages ranged from 5.8% in Valley Park to 22.1% in Andover St Mary's — a gap of 16.3 percentage points.
These households met at least two census conditions covering education, employment, health and housing. This is not an income or poverty measure.
What could help →threat
Major building and public-space commitments now need delivery and ongoing operation.
A funded build still needs maintenance, staffing and affordable access.
What could help →| Evidence and response | Who could lead | Related published plans |
|---|---|---|
| Build on the funded programme and local partnershipsCouncil investment update, 16 October 2026. | Test Valley Borough Council and local delivery partners | |
| Keep daily access working through town-centre changeApproved Andover highway changes and Romsey preferred option. | Test Valley Borough Council and Hampshire County Council | |
| Connect the new theatre, river and surrounding businessesOctober funding decision and September highway approval. | Test Valley Borough Council with venue operators and businesses | |
| Protect long-term affordability after the capital decisionOctober 2026 programme decision. | Test Valley Borough Council and future operators | |
| Make room for homes people can affordAverage private rent is £1,235 a month (August 2026) in Test Valley council area. Homes rented privately ranged from 9.3% in North Baddesley to 21.5% in Mid Test — a gap of 12.3 percentage points. 21 March 2021; 20 of 20 current wards have comparable figures. | The housing and planning authorities, housing associations and developers | No reviewed project is linked yet. This remains a proposal, with funding and delivery to establish. |
| Plan homes and care around an older population21.2% aged 65 or over; 21 March 2021. People aged 65 or over ranged from 5.9% in Andover Downlands to 35.9% in Romsey Abbey — a gap of 29.9 percentage points. 21 March 2021; 20 of 20 current wards have comparable figures. | Adult social care, local health services, housing providers and transport authorities | No reviewed project is linked yet. This remains a proposal, with funding and delivery to establish. |
| Bring support closer to people in poor health3.9% reporting bad or very bad health; 21 March 2021. People reporting bad or very bad health ranged from 2.2% in Valley Park to 6.1% in Andover St Mary's — a gap of 3.9 percentage points. 21 March 2021; 20 of 20 current wards have comparable figures. | Local health services, public health teams, employers and community organisations | No reviewed project is linked yet. This remains a proposal, with funding and delivery to establish. |
| Connect local skills to local opportunities35.7% with a degree or equivalent; 21 March 2021. People aged 16+ with no qualifications ranged from 7% in Valley Park to 23.3% in Andover St Mary's — a gap of 16.3 percentage points. 21 March 2021; 20 of 20 current wards have comparable figures. | Employers, colleges, universities and the relevant skills authority | |
| Target safety work where problems repeatUse the dated, complete periods shown in Crime and safety; keep anti-social behaviour separate. | The local police force, council community safety team and relevant services | No reviewed project is linked yet. This remains a proposal, with funding and delivery to establish. |
| Target support where disadvantages overlapHouseholds facing two or more measured disadvantages ranged from 5.8% in Valley Park to 22.1% in Andover St Mary's — a gap of 16.3 percentage points. 21 March 2021; 20 of 20 wards. | The council's housing, public health and employment teams, with local services |