Tiverton owes its early growth and prosperity to the wool trade, which caused the town to grow rapidly in the 16th and 17th Centuries. Many wealthier wool merchants added to the town's heritage for example John Greenway: 1460-1529 built a chapel onto St Peter's Parish Church in 1517, and a small Chapel and Almshouses in Gold Street which still stand - and the Almshouse Trust still houses people today.

The town was the last in the Devon & Cornwall area to retain an independent police force, until 1945. In the second half of the 20th century Tiverton once again declined in prosperity, as the Heathcoat factory became ever more mechanised, and the Starkey Knight & Ford Brewery was taken over by Whitbread as its regional brewery, but later closed, becoming just a bottling plant, and then lying derelict for some years before being demolished to make way for a supermarket. The manufacturing industry on Lowman Island in the town died a lingering death, and the Globe Elastics plant in the town also closed down. During the 1990s the town underwent something of a revival and has now become a thriving town.

Key Stats

• There has been significant population growth since 1991 in the parish of Tiverton. This increase is slightly greater than the growth in the district. Its population is about 18,500.
• The proportion of people from minority ethnic groups in the market town area is consistent with the district and county averages.
• Unemployment levels in the Tiverton market town area are similar to the county average and slightly ahead of the district average.
• Claim rates for Income Support are significantly higher in Tiverton compared to the surrounding hinterland. This level is noticeably higher than the district and county averages.
• The percentage of households with an annual income of less than £20,000 is broadly similar to the district and county averages, although rates in Tiverton parish are higher.
• The overall level of qualification within the market town area is similar to the district and county averages. However, the proportion of people with no qualifications is noticeably higher in Tiverton parish.
• Select here for more statistics about Tiverton and surrounding area. (912KB - pdf help)