Kirklees: Economic Momentum and Local Opportunities

A Clearer Picture of Kirklees’ Local Economy

Kirklees is showing clear signs of local economic momentum, with encouraging growth in employment, business activity and productivity. The central story is one of local strength, variation and opportunity.

Huddersfield Leeds Road and Fartown stands out as an important employment and business area.

• In Kirklees 029D, employee numbers increased by 3.52% between 2020 and 2023.
• The area recovered after the pandemic dip and remains one of the strongest employment locations in Kirklees.
• Around 20% of employees in Kirklees 029D work in wholesale and retail trade, including motor vehicle repair.

• The wider Kirklees 029 area has 730 registered businesses.
• Business numbers have increased by 11.45% since 2018.
• Although there has been some recent fluctuation, growth in small businesses since 2021 suggests a resilient and adaptable local economy.

• Real estate businesses in Kirklees have grown by more than 43% over eight years.
• The sector has grown from around 350 businesses to more than 500 in 2024.
• Most of this growth is among micro-businesses, with activity spread across Kirklees and a notable concentration around Huddersfield.

• In Ravensthorpe, most energy indicators show lower total consumption compared with five years earlier.
• In several areas, consumption has fallen faster than the number of meters.
• This may suggest improved energy efficiency, changing household behaviour, or responses to wider energy pressures.

• In Ashbrow, Brackenhall has seen population growth of around 5% over five years.
• This includes a 6.5% increase in the working-age population.
• Other nearby areas show different patterns, highlighting the importance of using neighbourhood-level evidence when planning services, housing, transport and local investment.

• GCSE English and Maths outcomes have shown improvement since 2019, although the post-COVID trend has softened.
• Level 2 and Level 3 qualification outcomes have declined since 2021.
• This suggests an opportunity to strengthen links between local employment growth and skills pathways.

• Productivity in Kirklees, measured in pounds per hour worked, has increased by 27% since 2010.
• Employment rates have generally improved.
• Economic inactivity has decreased.
• Weekly earnings have also risen, although this should be interpreted with care as the figures are not adjusted for inflation.

• The Yorkshire Vitality Suite helps turn local indicators into a clearer picture of place.
• It shows where the economy is growing, where communities are changing, and where further support could have the greatest impact.
  
  
  Authors: Poppy E Dobson & Guifre Balleste Santacana
  June 2026