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A community in Rhyl, located within Denbighshire, has once again been identified as the most deprived neighbourhood in Wales, marking the second time since 2019 that it has held this position, according to recently released data. This information comes from the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD), an official measure produced periodically by the Welsh government to assess relative deprivation across Welsh neighbourhoods. The index evaluates various factors such as income, housing conditions, and health to gauge levels of deprivation.
Among local authorities, Blaenau Gwent stands out for having the greatest number of highly deprived areas, whereas Monmouthshire is unique for not having any neighbourhoods classified as highly deprived. In fact, the least deprived area in Wales was identified within a neighbourhood in Chepstow, which lies in Monmouthshire. The latest WIMD report for 2025 analyzed a total of 1,917 neighbourhoods, each averaging roughly 1,600 residents. It incorporated eight domains to assess living conditions, including employment, education, access to services, community safety, and the physical environment.
The ranking divides these neighbourhoods into ten deciles, with the first decile representing the 191 most deprived areas. The terms “highly deprived” and “most deprived” refer specifically to neighbourhoods within this group. While the data illustrates how areas compare relative to one another, it does not indicate whether any single neighbourhood has improved or deteriorated since the prior assessment. It is also important to recognize that deprivation is not evenly experienced by all residents within an area; some individuals may face significant challenges, while others do not, regardless of the overall ranking.
Residents of Rhyl shared varied perspectives about their community ahead of the data release. Valerie Long, who has lived in the town for four years, acknowledged the financial struggles many face but also noted positive investments like new children’s play areas. Conversely, lifelong resident Jay Street expressed a more pessimistic view, citing difficulties in affording housing and uncertainty about future prospects. He described his involvement with Brighter Futures, a local charity supporting health and well-being, as invaluable, commenting, “Places like this have saved a lot of people, me included.”
The charity’s community garden is a vital local amenity providing green space for residents who otherwise have limited access to outdoors areas. Penny Pearce-Whitby, the garden’s manager, emphasized the importance of such spaces for mental health and social connection. Denbighshire council highlighted ongoing regeneration efforts, including significant public investment over the past decade such as a £100 million flood defense project, refurbishment of key attractions, and development of affordable housing. According to the council, these initiatives are part of a longer-term commitment to revitalizing Rhyl. The Welsh government reaffirmed its dedication to addressing poverty, noting a £7 billion investment from 2022 to 2026 aimed at supporting households and helping disadvantaged groups enter the workforce. Meanwhile, Blaenau Gwent council has been approached for comment on its high concentration of deprived neighbourhoods
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