Cambridgeshire - the county and its people
The County
As
the fastest growing county in England, Cambridgeshire is home to a rich diversity
of history, culture and landscape. A predominantly rural county, Cambridgeshire
includes the great University City of Cambridge, the bustling market towns
in the west of St Ives, Huntingdon and St Neots, and the picturesque villages
and hamlets in the south. To the north lie the historic Fenland towns of Ramsey,
Chatteris, Wisbech, Whittlesey, March and the charming cathedral city of Ely.
Close enough to provide strategic rail and road access to London (50 minutes by train to King's Cross) the Midlands and the North, Cambridgeshire still retains the style, culture and heritage to provide an intricate social and economic tapestry that can offer something for even its most discerning inhabitants.
Cambridgeshire is a county of contrasts with an enticing variety of things to see and places to visit. For the energetic, the busy streets of Cambridge combine history with modern convenience. The University colleges dominate the skyline attracting tourists and the inquisitive passer-by alike. Cambridge has a wide variety of shops, ranging from large department stores to specialist outlets. There are many restaurants and bars, cinema complexes and theatres throughout the county, as well as leisure centres, outdoor pursuit centres, pubs and clubs.
The Cambridgeshire countryside is also a landscape of contrasts. The fens in the north are characterised by vast flat areas where the open skyscape results in glorious sunsets. It is a unique area, formerly marsh and water but now one of the most fertile farming regions in Europe. The River Great Ouse meanders through Huntingdonshire banked by a succession of lovely towns and villages. In the south of the county the landscape is more gentle, dotted with unspoilt villages.
With its great variety of housing, wide range of social, cultural and recreational opportunities and outstanding position in the region, it is easy to see why living and working in Cambridgeshire is so popular.
Demographic and Social Trends
Cambridgeshire's
population has grown by over a third since 1974 to a total of 595,500. This
is expected to grow by around 6,700 people a year in the period up to 2021.
This growth puts pressure on essential services such as schools, roads and homecare.
It highlights the importance of planning for the long term development of the county, which must be addressed by the Cambridgeshire Structure Plan, and also the Transport and Waste Local Plans.
Compared to the UK as a whole, the population in most age groups in Cambridgeshire is increasing faster or declining less rapidly. The increase for those aged 85 or over is significantly higher in Cambridgeshire than in the whole of England (43 per cent to 2021 compared to 38 per cent). This means there will be 7,700 more people aged 85 and over in the county in 2021.
Standards of health are generally higher and crime rates lower than in England as a whole.
The Local Economy
Cambridgeshire's diverse economy spans agriculture and related industries
in the fertile fens in the north of the county and new hi-tech and service
industries in the south of the county.
The economy in and around Cambridge is especially vibrant and is one of the UK's leading regions of economic growth. The city has an international reputation, leading universities and a base of world class businesses, concentrated on the industries of the 21st Century - information technology, telecommunications, biotechnology and e-commerce. Its strength and reputation also come from research and development links between these industries, the universities and two of the world's leading hospitals - Addenbrooke's and Papworth. Cambridge is a major service centre for a wide area and, of course, a renowned tourist attraction.
The high-tech community employs around 14 per cent of the county's workforce. In contrast, the rural economy has faced its own particular challenges with job losses in agriculture and associated manufacturing in particular.
Unemployment levels in Cambridgeshire are substantially below the national average, 2.5 per cent in Cambridgeshire compared with 4.1 per cent in England. Unemployment rates are generally highest in the north of the county, although small pockets of relative disadvantage exist even within the more prosperous south.
Economic development programmes have focused on diversification and modernisation measures. Partnership schemes have also been directed at increasing the proportion of young people staying on in full-time education beyond the age of 16.
Working in Cambridgeshire
The dynamic growth in the population of Cambridgeshire demonstrates the considerable opportunities available in the region. Hi tech industries are in the vanguard of generating new employment and economic success, whilst Cambridgeshire County Council and Cambridge City Council are amongst the biggest employers.
A rapidly expanding population brings its own challenges and the increased demand for services is creating new opportunities for individuals with imagination and expertise. We have a need for all kinds of people with all kinds of skills - from teachers to social workers, accountants to IT specialists. People who want to be part of a successful future and who share our desire to make Cambridgeshire an even better place to live and work.
Housing
Whether you want to live in an urban or rural environment, there is
a varied choice of housing throughout Cambridgeshire. A brand new town, Northstowe,
is also being built to the north west side of Cambridge and will create up
to 8,000 new homes to add to the expansion of Cambridge and other areas. The
excellent transport links in Cambridgeshire all add to the flexibility of living
and working.
These include the mainline train services and a new guided busway linking settlements between St Ives and Cambridge which will start running in the near future.
Lifestyle
The quality of life in Cambridgeshire is good and varied enough for you to find the lifestyle you want - from the vibrancy of urban living to the relative peace and tranquility of the countryside. Accessibility to shops, schools and public services is also easy with good transport links, not to mention all the leisure opportunities you could want.
Leisure
Sports enthusiasts will find no shortage of access to their favourite pursuit, whether as participants or spectators. Other adventurous activities could include river and canal-style cruises or perhaps you would prefer trying your hand at punting on the River Cam. There are historic buildings in abundance, as well cosy village pubs, restaurants to suit every taste and theatres, cinemas and art galleries. There's certainly no excuse for getting bored. London is only one hour away by car or train, which opens up an even wider choice of leisure activities to be enjoyed.
Education
There are a wide range of schools available with good achievement records and dedicated employees. For more information please visit the education and learning pages of the County Council's website.
