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Car Licence Statistics in the West Midlands
We studied data from the Department for Transport to find the West Midlands neighborhoods that have significantly more cars now than they did five years ago. More cars lead to increased traffic and parking shortages, so these areas will feel more congested than ever. To see how other regions of the UK compare, see our article Roads Feel More Congested Than Ever? Worst Postcodes Revealed.
In the five years ending Q3 2023, the number of cars in the West Midlands decreased from 3,094,270 to 2,935,897. Heading into 2024, residents have -158,373 fewer cars on the road now—5.1% LESS than five years ago.
| Car Licence Stats for the West Midlands | |
|---|---|
| Cars in Q3 2018 | 3,094,270 |
| Cars in Q3 2023 | 2,935,897 |
| Change | -158,373 |
| % Change | -5.1% |
Areas of the West Midlands with Significantly More Cars
Other than London, the West Midlands are the only region of the UK to have fewer cars now than five years ago. The area with the biggest drop within the West Midlands? Birmingham, which had -238,046 fewer cars licenced in Q3 2023 comared to five years earlier. That's a drop of 36%.
Some areas in the West Midlands have more cars now, however. Of particular note would be Worcestershire, which has 23,539 more cars now, mostly driven by a 30,909 car increase in Redditch (a rise of 69.5%).
- Biggest numeric increase in cars: Redditch, in Worcestershire (up 30,909)
- Biggest percentage increase in cars: Redditch, in Worcestershire (up 69.5%)
- Biggest number drop in cars: Birmingham (down 238,046)
- Biggest percentage drop in cars: Birmingham (down 36%)
Car Licence Stats for West Midlands
Below is car licence data for all West Midland areas from Q3 2023. See how many more cars are in your area today and how that compares to the rest of the region.
| Area in West Midlands | Number of Licenced Cars (2023 Q3) | 5 year change | % change 5 years | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Herefordshire, County of | 110,354 | 3,009 | 2.8% | |
| Shropshire | 183,738 | 8,023 | 4.6% | |
| Stoke-on-Trent | 113,996 | 3,074 | 2.8% | |
| Telford and Wrekin | 95,716 | 8,167 | 9.3% | |
| Staffordshire | 481,273 | 16,167 | 3.5% | |
| Cannock Chase | 53,759 | 1,269 | 2.4% | |
| East Staffordshire | 65,763 | 4,770 | 7.8% | |
| Lichfield | 62,523 | 2,794 | 4.7% | |
| Newcastle-under-Lyme | 62,486 | 1,056 | 1.7% | |
| South Staffordshire | 63,856 | 855 | 1.4% | |
| Stafford | 76,570 | 3,556 | 4.9% | |
| Staffordshire Moorlands | 55,422 | 163 | 0.3% | |
| Tamworth | 40,448 | 1,317 | 3.4% | |
| Warwickshire | 337,436 | 14,914 | 4.6% | |
| North Warwickshire | 38,139 | -45 | -0.1% | |
| Nuneaton and Bedworth | 69,441 | 3,279 | 5.0% | |
| Rugby | 62,655 | 4,394 | 7.5% | |
| Stratford-on-Avon | 89,336 | 4,964 | 5.9% | |
| Warwick | 77,225 | 1,743 | 2.3% | |
| West Midlands (Met County) | 1,233,485 | -236,060 | -16.1% | |
| Birmingham | 423,416 | -238,046 | -36.0% | |
| Coventry | 146,535 | 8,585 | 6.2% | |
| Dudley | 161,200 | 4,692 | 3.0% | |
| Sandwell | 136,830 | 8,341 | 6.5% | |
| Solihull | 124,879 | -30,523 | -19.6% | |
| Walsall | 125,929 | 4,697 | 3.9% | |
| Wolverhampton | 114,535 | 6,271 | 5.8% | |
| Worcestershire | 378,536 | 23,539 | 6.6% | |
| Bromsgrove | 59,029 | 80 | 0.1% | |
| Malvern Hills | 50,535 | 2,159 | 4.5% | |
| Redditch | 75,411 | 30,909 | 69.5% | |
| Worcester | 52,096 | -4,542 | -8.0% | |
| Wychavon | 83,542 | -6,254 | -7.0% | |
| Wyre Forest | 57,685 | 1,051 | 1.9% | |
| West Midlands | 2,935,897 | -158,373 | -5.1% | |
Car Licence Stats for All Regions in England
If you'd like to see the details for other regions near you, here are the studies for other regions in England: