Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

An introduction to Wiltshire ...

As part of the induction process for Wiltshire Councillors, we were provided with an overload of information. Most of it was useful, but some wasn't. Some sample statistics are reproduced below.

Almost three quarters of the county is rural, with twenty market towns.

It has a population of 452,600.

At 1.6% of the population, Wiltshire has a lower proportion of ethnic minorities than other areas of the southwest.

Wiltshire has one of the largest military populations in the UK, which is set to increase with the development of the country's first 'super garrison' in Tidworth and Bulford.

Agriculture still provides about 3.9% of jobs, which is above the national average.