How the counties and council areas stack up

Mid Ulster leads every area on safety: police recorded 14.6 violent and sexual offences per 1,000 residents over the past year. One of the best towns in the UK is in Mid Ulster: Coalisland for affordability. It all adds up to the top overall score of any area, an A+.

No area can expect more years in good health than Rutland: healthy life expectancy at birth is 71.2 years. It beats every neighbour (Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire) on safety, schools and health. Only one area scores higher overall; Rutland grades A+ with 98 of 100.

Fermanagh and Omagh leads every Northern Ireland council area on schools: 80% of pupils get five or more GCSEs at A*–C including English and maths. Overall it ranks 3rd of 65 graded areas, an A+.

People in Lisburn and Castlereagh can expect long, healthy lives: healthy life expectancy at birth is 68.2 years, the longest of any Northern Ireland council area. Next to Belfast, Antrim and Newtownabbey, Ards and North Down, Newry, Mourne and Down and Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, it has the best safety and health and the weakest cost of living. That leaves it 4th of 65 graded areas, with an A+ (95 of 100).

Only four areas score higher overall; Hertfordshire grades A with 94 of 100. Only two areas have homes that cost more against local incomes: in Hertfordshire, a typical home costs 6.7 times the average household’s income. It stands out for good health and well-off households.

Alongside the 15th lowest home prices against income of any area and well-off households, Newry, Mourne and Down has car dependence. The sum of it: an A and a score of 92, 6th of 65 graded areas. Bessbrook and Newry rank near the top in the UK for schools; Newcastle and Kilkeel sit near the bottom.

People in Oxfordshire can expect long, healthy lives: healthy life expectancy at birth is 69.7 years, 3rd of 55 areas with figures. All told, Oxfordshire grades A, 7th of 65 graded areas with a score of 91. It offers easy getting about (28% of commuters on foot, bike, bus or train) and fast growth (+17% since 2011), but at the cost of high costs against local pay and real flood risk.

Only one English county gets more of its pupils to the expected standard at the end of primary school: in Surrey, 67% of pupils leave primary school at the expected standard in reading, writing and maths. Town by town, 98% of residents live in the healthiest quarter of towns in the UK, 1st among the areas. The overall grade: A, a score of 89 that ranks 8th.

Only two areas have richer households: in Berkshire, households take in £68,100 a year on average. Its strengths are fast growth (+15% since 2011) and strong schools; its weak spots, real flood risk and homes that cost 6.2 times household income. That balance adds up to an A overall and 9th place among the UK’s areas.

Cambridgeshire’s strongest suits are fast growth (+16% since 2011) and well-off households. That balance adds up to an A overall and 10th place among the UK’s areas. Histon and Impington and Cottenham rank near the top in the UK for schools; Peterborough and Wisbech sit near the bottom.

Only two English counties get more of their pupils to the expected standard at the end of primary school: in Buckinghamshire, 67% of pupils leave primary school at the expected standard in reading, writing and maths. Buckinghamshire ranks 11th overall, with an A− and a score of 84.

Among its neighbours, Wiltshire leads on cost of living and flood risk and trails on schools. Its standout town is Mere, #9 in the UK for schools. Its overall score of 83 ranks 12th, an A−.

On schools, West Sussex is a county of two halves: 22% of town residents live in top-quarter towns such as Arundel and Bosham, and 41% in bottom-quarter ones such as Crawley and Bognor Regis. It offers good health and the 18th lowest violent-crime rate of any area, but at the cost of homes that cost 6.5 times household income. Across every subject, West Sussex lands 13th (A−).

In Warwickshire, the trade-off is clear: well-off households and low crime (violent crime 19% below the England and Wales figure) on one side, car dependence and high costs against local pay on the other. Across every subject, Warwickshire lands 14th (A−). Cawston and Keresley Newlands rank near the top in the UK for growth; Royal Leamington Spa and Bedworth sit near the bottom.

One of the best towns in the UK is in Hampshire: South Wonston for safety (#3). On balance it grades A−, which places it 15th. It stands out for long healthy lives (67.8 years of healthy life expectancy).

Essex’s standout town is Great Totham, #8 in the UK for safety. Across its towns, 36% of residents live in one of the lowest-flood-risk towns in the UK. All told, Essex grades A−, 16th of 65 graded areas with a score of 77.

On jobs and income, North Yorkshire is a county of two halves: 37% of town residents live in top-quarter towns such as Pannal and Upper Poppleton, and 43% in bottom-quarter ones such as Middlesbrough and Scarborough. Look town by town and North Yorkshire has a national leader: Dunnington for safety. Weighed together, that earns an A− (75 of 100), 17th among the areas.

Dorset’s strongest suits are long healthy lives (67.5 years of healthy life expectancy) and easy getting about (21% of commuters on foot, bike, bus or train). Weighed together, that earns a B+ (73 of 100), 18th among the areas. Next to Devon, Somerset, Wiltshire and Hampshire, it has the best safety and schools and the weakest cost of living and jobs and income.

In Ards and North Down, town by town, 100% of residents live in the safest quarter of towns in the UK, 1st among the areas. The overall grade: B+, a score of 72 that ranks 19th. It offers homes within reach (a typical home costs 4.4 times household income), but at the cost of a reliance on the car (only 12% of commuters walk, cycle or ride) and health that trails most areas.

Only one Northern Ireland council area gets fewer of its pupils to five good GCSEs including English and maths: in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, 70% of pupils get five or more GCSEs at A*–C including English and maths. Town by town, 100% of residents live in the safest quarter of towns in the UK, 1st among the areas. Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon ranks 20th overall, with a B+ and a score of 70.

In Leicestershire, Oadby ranks #16 of 2,331 towns in the UK for schools, the best showing of any town here. Across its towns, 65% of residents live in one of the fastest-growing towns in the UK. Put together, the subjects come to a B+, 21st of 65 graded areas.

In Gloucestershire, on the plus side, long healthy lives (68.0 years of healthy life expectancy) and a growing population; on the minus side, high costs against local pay. Put together, the subjects come to a B+, 22nd of 65 graded areas. Across its towns, 37% of residents live in one of the best-off towns in the UK.

London leads every English county on schools: 72% of pupils leave primary school at the expected standard in reading, writing and maths. Its overall score of 66 ranks 23rd, a B+. The good news is a growing population and high incomes (£75,100 a household); the bad news, high costs against local pay and above-average crime.

On flood risk, Cheshire is a county of two halves: 40% of town residents live in top-quarter towns such as Disley and Alderley Edge, and 30% in bottom-quarter ones such as Warrington and Chester. None of its neighbours matches it on schools, health and jobs and income. On balance it grades B, which places it 24th.

No Northern Ireland council area gets fewer of its pupils to five good GCSEs including English and maths than Antrim and Newtownabbey: 69% of pupils get five or more GCSEs at A*–C including English and maths. It offers the 10th lowest violent-crime rate of any area and well-off households, but at the cost of a reliance on the car (only 12% of commuters walk, cycle or ride). The sum of it: a B and a score of 63, 25th of 65 graded areas.

Kent’s strongest suit is strong schools. The sum of it: a B and a score of 61, 26th of 65 graded areas. Among its neighbours it leads on cost of living and growth and trails on getting about.

Mid and East Antrim is home to one of the best-ranked towns in the UK for affordability: Larne (#3). All told, Mid and East Antrim grades B, 27th of 65 graded areas with a score of 59. Its strength is low crime (violent crime 12% below the figure for Northern Ireland); its weak spots, car dependence and shorter healthy lives (64.8 years of healthy life expectancy).

On getting about, Nottinghamshire is a county of two halves: 31% of town residents live in top-quarter towns such as Nottingham and Clifton, and 40% in bottom-quarter ones such as Mansfield and Worksop. It beats every neighbour (Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and South Yorkshire) on schools and getting about. The overall grade: B, a score of 58 that ranks 28th.

In Somerset, Backwell ranks #20 of 2,515 towns in the UK for health, the best showing of any town here. The good news is well-off households and getting about without a car; the bad news, homes that cost 5.7 times household income and real flood risk. That balance adds up to a B overall and 29th place among the UK’s areas.

Alongside low crime (violent crime 22% below the figure for Northern Ireland), Causeway Coast and Glens has car dependence and shorter healthy lives (63.5 years of healthy life expectancy). That balance adds up to a B overall and 30th place among the UK’s areas. Only two Northern Ireland council areas get fewer of their pupils to five good GCSEs including English and maths than Causeway Coast and Glens: 71% of pupils get five or more GCSEs at A*–C including English and maths.

Bedfordshire leads every area on growth: the population has grown 21.5% since 2011. Bedfordshire ranks 31st overall, with a B− and a score of 53. It offers little flood risk, but at the cost of primary results 4th lowest among the English counties and homes that cost 5.8 times household income.

In Northumberland, town by town, 58% of residents live in one of the lowest-flood-risk towns in the UK (the top quarter), with almost none at the other end. It struggles most with slow growth (+4.8% since 2011). Its overall score of 52 ranks 32nd, a B−.

In Suffolk, Glemsford ranks #8 of 2,331 towns in the UK for schools, the best showing of any town here. It stands out for good health. Across every subject, Suffolk lands 33rd (B−).

Belfast’s strongest suit is homes within reach (a typical home costs 4.0 times household income). Across every subject, Belfast lands 34th (B−). Only one Northern Ireland council area gets more of its pupils to five good GCSEs including English and maths: in Belfast, 79% of pupils get five or more GCSEs at A*–C including English and maths.

Only one English county gets fewer of its pupils to the expected standard at the end of primary school than Norfolk: 57% of pupils leave primary school at the expected standard in reading, writing and maths. On balance it grades B−, which places it 35th. The good news is the 24th lowest violent-crime rate of any area; the bad news, high costs against local pay.

Only one area has fewer homes at risk of flooding: in Northamptonshire, 0.3% of homes in its towns are at high or medium risk of flooding. Only one area puts more of its town residents in the fastest-growing quarter of towns: 82% of Northamptonshire’s do. All told, Northamptonshire grades B−, 36th of 65 graded areas with a score of 45.

Next to Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset, Devon has the best cost of living and getting about and the weakest flood risk. It stands out for fast growth (+10% since 2011) and long healthy lives (66.4 years of healthy life expectancy). Weighed together, that earns a C+ (44 of 100), 37th among the areas.

In Shropshire, the trade-off is clear: few homes in harm’s way from flooding on one side, a reliance on the car (only 15% of commuters walk, cycle or ride) and weaker school results on the other. Weighed together, that earns a C+ (42 of 100), 38th among the areas. Its standout town is Bayston Hill, #18 in the UK for safety.

No area has fewer homes at risk of flooding: in Tyne and Wear, 0.2% of homes in its towns are at high or medium risk of flooding. The overall grade: C+, a score of 41 that ranks 39th. Its weak spots are health that trails most areas and above-average crime.

Only one area records more violent crime per resident than West Yorkshire: police recorded 52.3 violent and sexual offences per 1,000 residents over the past year. Bramhope ranks #15 of 2,515 towns in the UK for health, the best showing of any town here. West Yorkshire ranks 40th overall, with a C+ and a score of 39.

In Worcestershire, across its towns, 39% of residents live in one of the safest towns in the UK. The good news is long healthy lives (66.9 years of healthy life expectancy); the bad news, car dependence and primary results 14th lowest among the English counties. Put together, the subjects come to a C+, 41st of 65 graded areas.

In Lincolnshire, Nettleham and Deeping St James rank near the top in the UK for health; Lincoln and Grimsby sit near the bottom. Only one area has more homes at risk of flooding than Lincolnshire: 8.3% of homes in its towns are at high or medium risk of flooding. Its overall score of 36 ranks 42nd, a C+.

Only three areas record more violent crime per resident: in County Durham, police recorded 47.3 violent and sexual offences per 1,000 residents over the past year. Its overall score of 34 ranks 43rd, a C. It stands out for little flood risk.

Only three areas have homes that cost more against local incomes than East Sussex: a typical home costs 6.6 times the average household’s income. It runs from A+ on getting about to D− on cost of living. On balance it grades C, which places it 44th.

No area has more homes at risk of flooding than the East Riding of Yorkshire: 8.7% of homes in its towns are at high or medium risk of flooding. North Ferriby and Swanland rank near the top in the UK for health; Kingston upon Hull and Bridlington sit near the bottom. The sum of it: a C and a score of 31, 45th of 65 graded areas.

Derbyshire struggles most with above-average crime and car dependence. The sum of it: a C and a score of 30, 46th of 65 graded areas. No subject stands out: its best grade is a B.

In Staffordshire, Gnosall ranks #4 of 2,331 towns in the UK for schools, the best showing of any town here. All told, Staffordshire grades C, 47th of 65 graded areas with a score of 28. Its weak spots are a reliance on the car (only 14% of commuters walk, cycle or ride) and more crime than most areas.

In Lancashire, no subject stands out: its best grade is a B. It struggles most with 2.3% of town homes at flood risk and more crime than most areas (violent crime 15% above the England and Wales figure). The overall grade: C, a score of 27 that ranks 48th.

In Cornwall, Penryn and Liskeard rank near the top in the UK for growth; Saltash and Penzance sit near the bottom. Its weak spots are homes that cost 6.2 times household income and 2.0% of town homes at flood risk. That balance adds up to a C overall and 49th place among the UK’s areas.

Gwynedd struggles most with lower incomes (£44,900 a household). That balance adds up to a C− overall and 50th place among the UK’s areas. No subject stands out: its best grade is a B.

In Herefordshire, no subject stands out: its best grade is a B. Herefordshire ranks 51st overall, with a C− and a score of 22. Its weak spots are high costs against local pay and real flood risk.

Clwyd is middling almost everywhere, with no grade above B. It struggles most with slow growth (+2.1% since 2011) and tighter household budgets. Its overall score of 20 ranks 52nd, a C−.

Only two areas record more violent crime per resident: in the West Midlands, police recorded 51.5 violent and sexual offences per 1,000 residents over the past year. The good news is few homes in harm’s way from flooding and fast growth (+11% since 2011); the bad news, high costs against local pay. Across every subject, the West Midlands lands 53rd (C−).

Bristol struggles most with shorter healthy lives (64.3 years of healthy life expectancy). Across every subject, Bristol lands 54th (C−). No area records more violent crime per resident: in Bristol, police recorded 57.4 violent and sexual offences per 1,000 residents over the past year.

Derry City and Strabane trails every Northern Ireland council area on health: healthy life expectancy at birth is 60.8 years. On balance it grades C−, which places it 55th. Its weak spots are car dependence and GCSE results 4th lowest among the Northern Ireland council areas.

Among its neighbours, South Glamorgan leads on health and jobs and income and trails on cost of living and flood risk. It struggles most with more crime than most areas. All told, South Glamorgan grades D, 56th of 65 graded areas with a score of 14.

South Yorkshire is middling almost everywhere, with no grade above B. Its weak spots are above-average crime and tighter household budgets. Weighed together, that earns a D (13 of 100), 57th among the areas.

In Cumbria, Keswick and Windermere rank near the top in the UK for health; Barrow-in-Furness and Whitehaven sit near the bottom. Only two English counties get fewer of their pupils to the expected standard at the end of primary school: in Cumbria, 57% of pupils leave primary school at the expected standard in reading, writing and maths. The overall grade: D, a score of 11 that ranks 58th.

In Merseyside, healthy life expectancy at birth is 61.6 years here, 3rd shortest of 55 areas with figures. The overall grade: D, a score of 9 that ranks 59th. Its weak spots are lower incomes (£43,400 a household) and high costs against local pay.

No English county gets fewer of its pupils to the expected standard at the end of primary school than the Isle of Wight: 51% of pupils leave primary school at the expected standard in reading, writing and maths. It is middling almost everywhere, with no grade above B. The Isle of Wight ranks 60th overall, with a D and a score of 8.

In Powys, no subject stands out: its best grade is a B. Its weak spots are slow growth (+1.5% since 2011) and tighter household budgets. That leaves it 61st of 65 graded areas, with a D (6 of 100).

Mid Glamorgan struggles most with a reliance on the car (only 13% of commuters walk, cycle or ride) and tighter household budgets. Only three areas score lower overall: Mid Glamorgan grades D, 5 of 100. No area can expect fewer years in good health than Mid Glamorgan: healthy life expectancy at birth is 60.9 years.

West Glamorgan is middling almost everywhere, with no grade above C+. Overall it ranks 63rd of 65 graded areas, a D−. Its weak spots are shorter healthy lives (61.8 years of healthy life expectancy) and tighter household budgets.

In Gwent, no subject stands out: its best grade is a B. On growth, Gwent is a county of two halves: 28% of town residents live in top-quarter towns such as Newport and Cwmbrân, and 59% in bottom-quarter ones such as Caerphilly and Pontypool. That leaves it 64th of 65 graded areas, with a D− (2 of 100).

No area scores lower overall: Dyfed grades D−. No subject stands out: its best grade is a B−. Its weak spots are real flood risk and lower incomes (£42,800 a household).

Only two areas have homes that cost less against local incomes: in Aberdeen City, a typical home costs 3.2 times the average household’s income. Alongside easy getting about (30% of commuters on foot, bike, bus or train), it has lower incomes (£42,500 a household) and real flood risk. It has no overall grade yet: Police Scotland publishes no street-level crime we can reuse, so there is no Safety grade to weigh.

On health, Aberdeenshire is a council area of two halves: 51% of town residents live in top-quarter towns such as Blackburn and Kintore, and 25% in bottom-quarter ones such as Peterhead and Fraserburgh. Its strongest suits are well-off households and strong schools. It has no overall grade yet: Police Scotland publishes no street-level crime we can reuse, so there is no Safety grade to weigh.

No area puts more of its town residents in the most affordable quarter of towns: 100% of Angus’s do. It struggles most with tighter household budgets. It has no overall grade yet: Police Scotland publishes no street-level crime we can reuse, so there is no Safety grade to weigh.

In Argyll and Bute, across its towns, 31% of residents live in one of the most walkable towns in the UK. It struggles most with 4.5% of town homes at flood risk and slow growth. It has no overall grade yet: Police Scotland publishes no street-level crime we can reuse, so there is no Safety grade to weigh.

Only one area has more people walking, cycling or riding to work: in City of Edinburgh, 53% of commuters walk, cycle or take the bus or train. Alongside fast growth (+11% since 2011) and strong schools, it has homes that cost 5.4 times household income. It has no overall grade yet: Police Scotland publishes no street-level crime we can reuse, so there is no Safety grade to weigh.

No Scottish council area gets fewer of its school leavers to five or more National 5 awards: in Clackmannanshire, 58% of school leavers have five or more awards at National 5 level or better. It struggles most with slow growth (+0.9% since 2011) and a reliance on the car (only 15% of commuters walk, cycle or ride). It has no overall grade yet: Police Scotland publishes no street-level crime we can reuse, so there is no Safety grade to weigh.

Only one area grew more slowly since 2011 than Dumfries and Galloway: the population has fallen 3.6% since 2011. It struggles most with real flood risk and health that trails most areas. It has no overall grade yet: Police Scotland publishes no street-level crime we can reuse, so there is no Safety grade to weigh.

Only two areas have poorer households than Dundee City: households take in £40,200 a year on average. It struggles most with slow growth (+1.4% since 2011). It has no overall grade yet: Police Scotland publishes no street-level crime we can reuse, so there is no Safety grade to weigh.

Only one area has homes that cost less against local incomes: in East Ayrshire, a typical home costs 3.1 times the average household’s income. It struggles most with school-leaver results 4th lowest among the Scottish council areas and health that trails most areas. It has no overall grade yet: Police Scotland publishes no street-level crime we can reuse, so there is no Safety grade to weigh.

Only one Scottish council area gets more of its school leavers to five or more National 5 awards: in East Dunbartonshire, 88% of school leavers have five or more awards at National 5 level or better. Its strongest suits are high incomes (£57,100 a household) and good health. It has no overall grade yet: Police Scotland publishes no street-level crime we can reuse, so there is no Safety grade to weigh.

In East Lothian, town by town, 32% of residents live in one of the most walkable towns in the UK (the top quarter), with just 3% at the other end. Its strongest suits are a growing population and high incomes (£54,000 a household). It has no overall grade yet: Police Scotland publishes no street-level crime we can reuse, so there is no Safety grade to weigh.

No Scottish council area gets more of its school leavers to five or more National 5 awards: in East Renfrewshire, 89% of school leavers have five or more awards at National 5 level or better. Among its neighbours it leads on schools and health and trails on cost of living. It has no overall grade yet: Police Scotland publishes no street-level crime we can reuse, so there is no Safety grade to weigh.

In Falkirk, town by town, 52% of residents live in one of the best-for-schools towns in the UK (the top quarter), with just 13% at the other end. It struggles most with a reliance on the car (only 16% of commuters walk, cycle or ride) and slow growth (+2.3% since 2011). It has no overall grade yet: Police Scotland publishes no street-level crime we can reuse, so there is no Safety grade to weigh.

Only two Scottish council areas get fewer of their school leavers to five or more National 5 awards than Fife: 60% of school leavers have five or more awards at National 5 level or better. It struggles most with slow growth. It has no overall grade yet: Police Scotland publishes no street-level crime we can reuse, so there is no Safety grade to weigh.

Only two areas have more people walking, cycling or riding to work: in Glasgow City, 40% of commuters walk, cycle or take the bus or train. Alongside little flood risk, it has health that trails most areas. It has no overall grade yet: Police Scotland publishes no street-level crime we can reuse, so there is no Safety grade to weigh.

Greater Manchester is home to some of the best-ranked towns in the UK: Hale for incomes and Bowdon for schools (#3). Alongside easy getting about (24% of commuters on foot, bike, bus or train) and little flood risk, it has high costs against local pay and shorter healthy lives (62.3 years of healthy life expectancy). It has no overall grade: police.uk carries no street-level crime from Greater Manchester Police, so there is no Safety grade to weigh.

In Highland, town by town, 100% of residents live in the most affordable quarter of towns in the UK, 1st among the areas. It struggles most with weaker school results and slow growth (+2.1% since 2011). It has no overall grade yet: Police Scotland publishes no street-level crime we can reuse, so there is no Safety grade to weigh.

No area has homes that cost less against local incomes: in Inverclyde, a typical home costs 3.0 times the average household’s income. It struggles most with a shrinking population (-3.1% since 2011) and tighter household budgets. It has no overall grade yet: Police Scotland publishes no street-level crime we can reuse, so there is no Safety grade to weigh.

Only one Scottish council area has fewer homes at risk of flooding: in Midlothian, 0.1% of homes in its towns are at high or medium risk of flooding. Its strongest suit is well-off households. It has no overall grade yet: Police Scotland publishes no street-level crime we can reuse, so there is no Safety grade to weigh.

In Moray, town by town, 100% of residents live in the most affordable quarter of towns in the UK, 1st among the areas. It struggles most with slow growth. It has no overall grade yet: Police Scotland publishes no street-level crime we can reuse, so there is no Safety grade to weigh.

No area grew more slowly since 2011: in Na h-Eileanan Siar, the population has fallen 6.4% since 2011. Alongside homes within reach (a typical home costs 3.8 times household income) and good health, it has a reliance on the car (only 11% of commuters walk, cycle or ride) and weaker school results. It has no overall grade yet: Police Scotland publishes no street-level crime we can reuse, so there is no Safety grade to weigh.

Only one area has poorer households than North Ayrshire: households take in £39,900 a year on average. It struggles most with a shrinking population (-3.1% since 2011) and shorter healthy lives (53.4 years of healthy life expectancy). It has no overall grade yet: Police Scotland publishes no street-level crime we can reuse, so there is no Safety grade to weigh.

In North Lanarkshire, healthy life expectancy at birth is 52.6 years here, the shortest of any Scottish council area. It struggles most with car dependence and lower incomes (£44,100 a household). It has no overall grade yet: Police Scotland publishes no street-level crime we can reuse, so there is no Safety grade to weigh.

People in Orkney Islands can expect long, healthy lives: healthy life expectancy at birth is 73.5 years, the longest of any Scottish council area. Alongside strong schools, it has slow growth. It has no overall grade yet: Police Scotland publishes no street-level crime we can reuse, so there is no Safety grade to weigh.

In Perth and Kinross, there is no weak subject here: its lowest grade is a B−. Its strongest suits are good health and easy getting about (21% of commuters on foot, bike, bus or train). It has no overall grade yet: Police Scotland publishes no street-level crime we can reuse, so there is no Safety grade to weigh.

In Renfrewshire, town by town, 91% of residents live in one of the most affordable towns in the UK (the top quarter), with almost none at the other end. Alongside school-leaver results that rank 8th of 32 Scottish council areas, it has lower incomes (£41,700 a household). It has no overall grade yet: Police Scotland publishes no street-level crime we can reuse, so there is no Safety grade to weigh.

Scottish Borders trails every Scottish council area on flood risk: 7.6% of homes in its towns are at high or medium risk of flooding. Alongside good health, it has slow growth (+2.9% since 2011). It has no overall grade yet: Police Scotland publishes no street-level crime we can reuse, so there is no Safety grade to weigh.

People in Shetland Islands can expect long, healthy lives: healthy life expectancy at birth is 69.5 years, 2nd of 32 Scottish council areas. Alongside school-leaver results that rank 4th of 32 Scottish council areas and little flood risk, it has a reliance on the car (only 13% of commuters walk, cycle or ride) and slow growth. It has no overall grade yet: Police Scotland publishes no street-level crime we can reuse, so there is no Safety grade to weigh.

No area puts more of its town residents in the most affordable quarter of towns: 100% of South Ayrshire’s do. It struggles most with shorter healthy lives (57.8 years of healthy life expectancy) and weaker school results. It has no overall grade yet: Police Scotland publishes no street-level crime we can reuse, so there is no Safety grade to weigh.

No area puts more of its town residents in the most affordable quarter of towns: 100% of South Lanarkshire’s do. Alongside strong schools, it has a reliance on the car (only 18% of commuters walk, cycle or ride) and shorter healthy lives (58.0 years of healthy life expectancy). It has no overall grade yet: Police Scotland publishes no street-level crime we can reuse, so there is no Safety grade to weigh.

Only two Scottish council areas have more homes at risk of flooding than Stirling: 4.8% of homes in its towns are at high or medium risk of flooding. Its strongest suits are well-off households and strong schools. It has no overall grade yet: Police Scotland publishes no street-level crime we can reuse, so there is no Safety grade to weigh.

West Dunbartonshire trails every area on jobs and income: households take in £38,800 a year on average. Alongside getting about without a car, it has real flood risk. It has no overall grade yet: Police Scotland publishes no street-level crime we can reuse, so there is no Safety grade to weigh.

Only two Scottish council areas get more of their school leavers to five or more National 5 awards than West Lothian: 80% of school leavers have five or more awards at National 5 level or better. Its strongest suit is few homes in harm’s way from flooding. It has no overall grade yet: Police Scotland publishes no street-level crime we can reuse, so there is no Safety grade to weigh.