Ashfield District is a non‑metropolitan local government district in the county of Nottinghamshire, England. The district council is headquartered in Kirkby‑in‑Ashfield, while the largest town within the district is Sutton‑in‑Ashfield. Other principal settlements include the town of Hucknall and a number of villages such as Annesley, Felley and Selston.
Geography
The district covers an area of approximately 110 km² (42 sq mi) and lies in the East Midlands region. It borders the districts of Mansfield, Newark and Sherwood, Gedling, Nottingham, Broxtowe, Amber Valley and Bolsover. The district is predominantly urban, with several settlements forming part of the Nottingham and Mansfield urban areas.
History
Ashfield District was created on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972. It amalgamated the former urban districts of Huckletown, Kirkby‑in‑Ashfield and Sutton‑in‑Ashfield, together with the parishes of Annesley, Felley and Selston from the former Basford Rural District. The name “Ashfield” derives from the common suffix of the two principal towns, Ash‑field.
Governance
Ashfield District Council is a non‑metropolitan district council consisting of 35 elected councillors representing 23 wards. Since 2019 the council has been controlled by the Ashfield Independents, a local political party. The council’s leadership includes a chair (Paul Grafton, Ashfield Independents, elected 19 May 2025) and a leader (Jason Zadrozny, Ashfield Independents, serving since 26 April 2018). County‑level services are provided by Nottinghamshire County Council, and the district contains three civil parishes (Annesley, Felley and Selston) that have parish councils.
Demographics
According to the 2021 United Kingdom Census, the district had a population of 129,572, making it the 189th most populous local authority in England. The population density is about 1,200 persons per km² (3,100 persons per sq mi). Ethnic composition is predominantly White (95.1 %), with Asian (1.6 %), Mixed (1.6 %), Black (1.2 %) and other groups comprising the remainder. In terms of religious affiliation, 53.4 % reported no religion, 44.6 % identified as Christian, and the remainder were affiliated with other faiths.
Economy and Infrastructure
Historically the district’s economy was centred on coal mining, particularly in the towns of Kirkby‑in‑Ashfield and Sutton‑in‑Ashfield. Following the decline of mining, the area has diversified into manufacturing, retail, and service sectors. The district is served by major road links, including the A38 and A617, and is within commuting distance of Nottingham.
Media and Culture
Ashfield District receives television broadcasts from the BBC East Midlands and ITV Central regions, with some areas also receiving signals from the Yorkshire transmitters. Local radio stations include BBC Radio Nottingham, Capital East Midlands and community stations such as Takeover Radio. The principal local newspaper is the Mansfield and Ashfield Chad.
References
- “Ashfield District.” Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashfield_District (accessed 2026).
- Ashfield District Council official website, https://www.ashfield.gov.uk/.
- Office for National Statistics, 2021 Census data for Ashfield District.