There isn't a specific statement that describes a sustainable community, a sustainable community is built up of several different factors that make it sustainable and give it the rightfully earned title. It must however take into consideration, the Economic, Social and Environmental issues involved within its surrounding to achieve this status.
It was a nice surprise to learn when I visited the Office for national statistics website and tapped in my postcode that my Super output area (SOA) stats are above average for my region (southeast).
Apparently within my SOA which is 'Test Valley 005D' we have an above average economic activity rate per person (86.7%) than the southeast (82%) or the whole country (78.6%).
This is impressive because it means that there is an above average amount of people in jobs and participating towards society which is the first step towards prosperity of a fully functioning community.
The unemployment rate was also lower than average for the district than it was for both the southeast and the country, hitting 3.1% for the district, 4.5% for the region and 5.5% for the country. This is good news for my SOA in particular, as unemployment can lead to other social dilemmas such as homelessness and crime and so with a low unemployment rate it shows that there is a healthy social atmosphere with less money and thought going into these problems because they simply aren't there and money being channelled into more constructive projects will then continue to provide jobs and housing for a growing community.
Another useful statistic is the actual amount of people who are unemployed in comparison to others in certain types of jobs, this is the break down for 'test valley 005D':
AB: Higher and intermediate managerial / administrative / professional (Persons) : 340
C1: Supervisory, clerical, junior managerial / administrative / professional (Persons) : 358
C2: Skilled manual workers (Persons) : 253
D: Semi-skilled and unskilled manual workers (Persons) : 172
E: On state benefit, unemployed, lowest grade workers (Persons) : 99
These figures are good to show that there is a diversity in job choices within the SOA, its good to see that managerial and supervisory/professional jobs are the majority factor, when it comes to unskilled and unemployed there is a considerable difference showing that there are plenty of opportunities and services for my area.
I believe that these figures are correct, I have lived in other areas of my town where I know the figures would show differences and particularly worse circumstances, it is obvious that there is alot of difference in one town as my area is thriving and is economically sound.
I personally know that other parts are worse off, which leads me to believe these stats are correct, I am happy with my area, I know other people who live there care about it and choose to spend time to keep it the way it is. We have a small council which looks after the grass and woodland areas, and also a neighbourhood watch system. Most people are reasonably well off and are considerate and active members of the community.
I can say that it is a lot better than the other areas I have lived in in town and is certainly a nice living environment for all involved.
http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadAreaSearch.do?a=3&r=1&i=1001&m=0&s=1236537002885&enc=1&areaSearchText=SP10+3DF&extendedList=false&searchAreas=Search
