Area Overview for Perry Common Ward

Perry Common Ward is a distinct suburban district in north Birmingham, covering a total area of just 2.2 km². This compact ward sits within the West Midlands region, centred around postcode B23 5AZ. The area represents a complete transformation from its origins as open farmland, including the former site of Witton Lodge Farm. Birmingham City Council acquired this land in the early 1900s to construct an inter-war housing estate known for its spacious 2- and 3-bedroom "Boot Houses". By the 1980s, many of these properties had deteriorated significantly. A major redevelopment programme began in 1989, targeting 908 properties for demolition following a council notice. Residents formed the Perry Common Residents Association, which later established the Witton Lodge Community Association in 1994 to manage 200 homes. Today, the ward has a total population of 12,048 people. Living in Perry Common Ward means residing in a community defined by this shared history of regeneration and community-led activism against the backdrop of a working-class, suburban environment.

The community profile within Perry Common Ward reflects an older demographic than the wider city. The median age for residents is 70 years, indicating a significant proportion of the population benefits from pensions or similar support structures. While 62.5 per cent of residents are aged between 16 and 64, this figure is slightly lower than the Birmingham city average of 64.6 per cent. The household composition and ethnic diversity differ from the city norm, with a BAME population share of 38.2 per cent compared to the higher city average. Home ownership stands at 53 per cent, suggesting a mixed tenure area where a significant minority rents their accommodation. A notable statistic concerns child poverty, which affects 32.9 per cent of children in the ward. This translates to 1,095 children living in low-income households. High child poverty rates often correlate with specific challenges in household income stability, which residents must navigate daily. These figures paint a picture of a community with an older age profile and specific economic pressures regarding young families.