Geodemographic segmentation

Page updated: 11/04/2024

Background

A segmentation divides people into groups which are similar on chosen characteristics (such as demographics, needs, priorities, or common interests). It produces a set of groups where people in the same group are more similar to each other, but the groups are different. A geodemographic segmentaiton is calculated for where people live (based on theprinciple 'birds of a feather flock together'), so helps us understand the different types of communities in Bolton and how they are similar and different. We use it to tailor services and approaches so they are suitable for and appealing to the people who need or want them.

Acorn

Acorn groups poeple based on their likely needs, behaviours and opinions relating to a wide range of topics - those who are more similar are grouped together. There are 7 Categories, which are broken down into 22 Groups, and then broken down further into 65 Types.

  • 1 Luxury Lifestyles (1% of Bolton population, 3% of UK population) The most affluent people in Britain, confident consumers with high levels of savings and investments, living in the most expensive properties.
    • 1.C Upmarket Families (1% of Bolton population, 2% of UK population) Wealthy home-owning families living in large detached properties.
  • 2 Established Affluence (6% of Bolton population, 13% of UK population) Wealthy and successful people living in large houses which they own in affluent, high status areas of the country.
    • 2.D Commuter Belt Wealth (6% of Bolton population, 10% of UK population) Well-off older families and empty nesters living in detached properties within easy reach of the major cities
  • 3 Thriving Neighbourhoods (14% of Bolton population, 23% of UK population) Comfortable, stable families and empty nesters who have a good standard of living, on an income above the UK average.
    • 3.F Mature Success (6% of Bolton population, 7% of UK population) Empty nesters living in comfortable detached homes, enjoying the endeavours of their earlier careers
    • 3.G Settled Suburbia (6% of Bolton population, 6% of UK population) Families in owner occupied semi-detached homes, living comfortably in the suburbs
  • 4 Steadfast Communities (33% of Bolton population, 26% of UK population) This category contains much of middle of the road Britain with working families on incomes just below the UK average.
    • 4.L Traditional Homeowners (10% of Bolton population, 6% of UK population) Secure older adults in semi-detached houses.
    • 4.N Urban Diversity (13% of Bolton population, 3% of UK population) Young families and students in ethnically diverse urban centres.
  • 5 Stretched Society (21% of Bolton population, 20% of UK population)
    • 5.Q Limited Budgets (7% of Bolton population, 5% of UK population) Young families and single parents with a high proportion socially renting their semi-detached home.
    • 5.R Hard-Up Households (11% of Bolton population, 8% of UK population) Younger families struggling on low incomes in rented terraces.
  • 6 Low Income Living (24% of Bolton population, 13% of UK population) This category contains the most deprived areas of towns and cities across the UK, with the lowest incomes. It contains a higher proportion of single people across the age groups, socially renting their flats.
    • 6.S Cash-Strapped Families (17% of Bolton population, 8% of UK population Families and single parents with young children in socially rented houses, often claiming benefits.
  • 7 Not Private Households (1% of Bolton population, 2% of UK population) These are areas where the bulk of residents are not living in private households. This category includes students in halls of residence, people living in care facilities and prisons, and business areas.

Find out more about Acorn at https://www.caci.co.uk/products/product/acorn

Other segmentations

Other segmentations are available. The ONS made a free one, based on 2011 census data, which is included on the Bolton postcode lookup file in the Geographies - Neighbourhoods section of this website.