Newtownabbey

Newtownabbey is a modern Borough covering more than 54 square miles combining a thriving urban centre with rural tradition, history and heritage. Situated in the Belfast Metropolitan Area, Newtownabbey occupies a dominant position at the heart of Northern Ireland’s business belt with unrivalled access to ports and airports. A skilled workforce, first class industrial sites and excellent educational, residential and leisure facilities make the area an extremely attractive base for industrial development.

 

Population:

(Data from Registrar General Annual Report 2009)

	Northern Ireland:	1,788,900
	Newtownabbey:	83,400
	Antrim:	54,000
	Belfast:	268,400
	Carrickfergus:	40,100

 

Age of residents:	Under 16:	20%
	16-74:	73%
	75 and over:	7%

 

 

Education:

(Data from Department of Education Northern Ireland)

Number of Schools:	Primary:	30
	Secondary:	7
	Special Needs:	4
	Further Education:	1
	University:	1

 

Percentage of working age persons (16-64) qualified to NVQ Level 4 or above:

23%

 

 

Unemployment:

(Data from Monthly Labour Market Report March 2012)

Percentage of unemployed residents in Newtownabbey and the surrounding areas (based on claimant count figures)	Northern Ireland:	5.40%
	Newtownabbey:	4.30%
	Antrim:	3.90%
	Belfast:	7.40%
	Carrickfergus:	4.70%

 

Earnings:

(Data from NI Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2010)

Average gross weekly earnings in Northern Ireland	Public Sector:	£544.20
	Private Sector:	£383.40

 

Businesses:

(Data from Inter Departmental Business Register 2011)

Number of VAT/PAYE registered businesses	Northern Ireland:	67,960
	Newtownabbey:	1,850