MORE than 7,000 people moved to Southend last year as UK residents chose to move to the borough amid a growing demand for housing.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that the numbers of people moving to Southend are growing.

While the ONS figures are up to June 2020, it gives us an indication that the county’s population is steadily rising and likely to rise further due to homebuyers seeking more rural areas than urban areas.

Their data looks at where people have moved from one local authority area to another.

A broad look at the data shows that people are moving to the borough from neighbouring Rochford and Castle, as well as a number of areas of London.

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According to the stats, 7,535 moved to the Southend area last year.

Where people are moving to Southend from:

  • Rochford – 1,004
  • Castle Point – 702
  • Basildon - 508
  • Havering – 355
  • Thurrock - 285
  • Redbridge – 232
  • Newham - 197
  • Barking and Dagenham – 195

Other areas around the UK which saw a relatively high number of residents move to Southend included:

  • Canterbury - 68
  • Norwich - 62
  • Scotland - 46
  • Birmingham – 34

The ONS data also shows where people are moving to when leaving Southend.

The most popular areas were:

  • Rochford – 1,308
  • Castle Point – 770
  • Basildon – 423
  • Chelsmford – 263
  • Colchester - 141