• 9th fastest growing city in the UK – 1.1% annual growth (2010 population = 123,400; 2002 pop = 110,600 (12,800 increase))

Innovation

• 6th for the most patents granted per 100,000 residents in 2012 with 8.9. Innovation is a driver of long-run economic growth. Finding new or better ways of making goods or delivering services improves the performance of businesses which in turn increases the capacity of city economies.

Employment

• 2nd for highest employment rate with 77.8% between Jul 2012 and Jun 2013 (Ranked 12th Jul 11 – Jun 12)
• 2nd for highest employment rate percentage point change 2011-12 to 2012-13 of 4.41
• 9th (out of 62 cities) for having the highest private sector jobs employed by a London headquartered business at 16.5%. Emphasising the importance of London on the city’s economy

Housing

• 2nd (out of 63 cities) for the highest housing stock growth. (% change 2011-2012 = 1.1%; Housing stock 2012 = 53,300; housing stock 2011 = 52,700; change 2011 – 2012 = 600. Among the top-placed cities, only five (Swindon, Milton Keynes, Gloucester, London, Peterborough) have experienced housing supply growth in accordance to their population growth rate
• 21st with 2.08% for the annual mean house price growth rate 2012-13 (Mean house price 2012 = £153,700; Mean house price 2013 = £156,900; growth in mean house prices 2012-13 = £3,200)

Environment

• 12th for the lowest CO2 emissions per capita in 2011

Well-being

• 4th for the largest life satisfaction increase between 2011-12 and 2012-13 by 4.4% (a measure of personal well-being)

http://www.centreforcities.org/assets/files/2014/Cities_Outlook_2014.pdf