Taunton Deane has a population of just over 100,000. Around 60% live in Taunton and its immediate surroundings. Wellington and Wiveliscombe are other population centres.

Somerset LSC figures show that 50,000 people work in just under 4,000 Taunton Deane businesses.

The number of jobs in Taunton Deane is high compared to the population. This is because people commute into the districts from other parts of Somerset and further a field.

Taunton is Somerset’s largest town and the county’s administrative, retail and financial centre. It is home to Somerset County Council. Many national businesses and government organisations also have branches in the town.

Organisations of national significance operating from Taunton include the UK Hydrographic Office, the Charity Commission and Western Provident Association.

Other major employers include Musgrove Park Hospital (Somerset’s largest), Somerset Care, further education college (with fashion and sustainable construction as key features) and several leading independent schools.

Manufacturing is not quite as important in Taunton Deane as elsewhere in the county but Taunton is home to high-tech businesses such as Thales Optronics and Thermometrics.

Manufacturing is important in Wellington with Relyon (beds) and Swallowfield (aerosols) being important local employers.

Agriculture and tourism are also important. Taunton Deane’s agricultural area includes the foothills of the Quantock Hills and Blackdown Hills, the Vale of Taunton Deane and part of the Somerset levels. The area includes a number of tourist attractions and hotels with national reputations.

Taunton Deane has excellent communications with the M5 and railway lines to London, the Midlands and the North passing through the area. This has led to retail, hotel and distribution developments close to motorway junctions at Taunton and Wellington.