Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats drawn from the available evidence. These are analytical judgements, not an official council assessment. Where a national comparison is available, lower housing costs, lower reported poor health and higher qualification shares are treated as relative strengths; this does not prove affordability or service quality.
Strengths
strength
Bring support closer to people in poor health
5.9% of people reported bad or very bad health in Cardiff council area (21 March 2021). Across Wales, the figure was 6.9%. People reporting bad or very bad health ranged from 2.1% in Cathays to 10.5% in Caerau — a gap of 8.4 percentage points.
This is how residents described their health in the census. It can reveal differences between neighbourhoods, but does not diagnose illness or measure current waiting times. Age profiles differ between places, so these shares do not measure service quality.
What could help →strength
Connect local skills to local opportunities
40% of people aged 16 or over had a degree or equivalent (21 March 2021) in Cardiff council area. Across Wales, the figure was 31.5%. People aged 16+ with no qualifications ranged from 4.5% in Cathays to 30.9% in Ely — a gap of 26.4 percentage points.
Qualifications show one part of the skills available locally. They do not show whether people have secure jobs or work that uses those skills.
What could help →Weaknesses
weakness
Make room for homes people can afford
Average private rent is £1,177 a month (August 2026) in Cardiff council area. This is £331 higher than the Wales average for the same month. Homes rented privately ranged from 8.9% in Rhiwbina to 71.8% in Cathays — a gap of 62.9 percentage points.
Housing costs matter most alongside earnings and the number of affordable homes available. A local average cannot tell us whether a particular household can afford its home.
What could help →Opportunities
opportunity
Connect the Bay’s new destinations to everyday journeys
The first Crossrail phase is programmed between Central and the Bay, while arena works at Atlantic Wharf are underway.
The transport route and redevelopment need to work together for residents, workers and visitors. A new venue alone does not show that journeys will become easier.
What could help →opportunity
Open the homes and transport links as a usable whole
Waungron Road combines 44 planned council homes with a transport interchange beside a railway station.
Proposed response: Keep housing handover, accessible routes and transport operations visible as separate delivery steps.
Evidence
What could help →opportunity
Plan homes and care around an older population
14.5% of people in Cardiff council area were aged 65 or over (21 March 2021). People aged 65 or over ranged from 3.4% in Cathays to 28.2% in Rhiwbina — a gap of 24.8 percentage points.
Age alone does not mean poor health or a need for care. Accessible homes, reliable transport and support close to home matter as people get older.
What could help →opportunity
Target safety work where problems repeat
Mapped police records are available for neighbourhoods in Cardiff council area.
Published locations are approximate and some crimes are not mapped. Counts show recorded incidents, not the chance of an individual becoming a victim.
What could help →opportunity
Turn published plans into visible progress
3 named local projects or plans have official evidence in this collection.
A published plan makes responsibilities and intentions easier to inspect. It does not prove that funding is secured or that promised benefits have arrived.
What could help →opportunity
Target support where disadvantages overlap
Households facing two or more measured disadvantages ranged from 7.9% in Radyr to 35% in Caerau — a gap of 27.1 percentage points.
These households met at least two census conditions covering education, employment, health and housing. This is not an income or poverty measure.
What could help →Threats
The evidence gathered here does not yet support a distinct finding in this category.
Which response goes with each issue?
How the evidence connects to a proposed response and reviewed local work| Evidence and response | Who could lead | Related published plans |
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| Connect the Bay’s new destinations to everyday journeysCardiff Crossrail: first phase: Delivery programme published; completion not verified. Atlantic Wharf redevelopment: Arena works reported underway. | Cardiff Council and Transport for Wales; Cardiff Council and development partners | |
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| Open the homes and transport links as a usable wholeWaungron Road homes and transport interchange: Building reached its highest point; not yet reported complete. Evidence dated 2026-10-07. | Cardiff Council and Wates Residential | |
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| Make room for homes people can affordAverage private rent is £1,177 a month (August 2026) in Cardiff council area. Homes rented privately ranged from 8.9% in Rhiwbina to 71.8% in Cathays — a gap of 62.9 percentage points. 21 March 2021; 28 of 28 current wards have comparable figures. | The housing and planning authorities, housing associations and developers | |
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| Plan homes and care around an older population14.5% aged 65 or over; 21 March 2021. People aged 65 or over ranged from 3.4% in Cathays to 28.2% in Rhiwbina — a gap of 24.8 percentage points. 21 March 2021; 28 of 28 current wards have comparable figures. | Adult social care, local health services, housing providers and transport authorities | No reviewed project is linked yet. This remains a proposal, with funding and delivery to establish. |
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| Bring support closer to people in poor health5.9% reporting bad or very bad health; 21 March 2021. People reporting bad or very bad health ranged from 2.1% in Cathays to 10.5% in Caerau — a gap of 8.4 percentage points. 21 March 2021; 28 of 28 current wards have comparable figures. | Local health services, public health teams, employers and community organisations | No reviewed project is linked yet. This remains a proposal, with funding and delivery to establish. |
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| Connect local skills to local opportunities40% with a degree or equivalent; 21 March 2021. People aged 16+ with no qualifications ranged from 4.5% in Cathays to 30.9% in Ely — a gap of 26.4 percentage points. 21 March 2021; 28 of 28 current wards have comparable figures. | Employers, colleges, universities and the relevant skills authority | |
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| Target safety work where problems repeatUse the dated, complete periods shown in Crime and safety; keep anti-social behaviour separate. | The local police force, council community safety team and relevant services | No reviewed project is linked yet. This remains a proposal, with funding and delivery to establish. |
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| Target support where disadvantages overlapHouseholds facing two or more measured disadvantages ranged from 7.9% in Radyr to 35% in Caerau — a gap of 27.1 percentage points. 21 March 2021; 28 of 28 wards. | The council's housing, public health and employment teams, with local services | |
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