Here you can view data on Communities in Torfaen, explore the data and create a thematic map based on your findings. Click here to view the Community Profiles in Torfaen (opens in new tab).

Community Geographies Explained

As part of the Wellbeing Assessment of Torfaen carried out in 2016, there was a need to define community boundaries within the borough that could be compared. It was decided that Middle Super Output Areas (MSOAs) were small enough to identify inequalities between areas but large enough to represent key community areas.

MSOAs are ONS statistical geographies where the population is between 5,000 and 15,000 and there are between 2,000 and 6,000 households.

This means MSOAs can be compared with each other statistically, unlike electoral ward geographies where the population could range from less than 100 to more than 30,000 in parts of the UK. Wales has 413 MSOAs, of which Torfaen has 13.

Here is a cross-reference table of the communities used in this analysis, to give a greater understanding of the localities that are situated within the communities and settlements. The localities shown below are approximate and may spread into adjacent areas.

Torfaen MSOA meaningful names
SettlementMSOA NameArea
BlaenavonBlaenavonBlaenavon
PontypoolPontypool NorthAbersychan, Cwmavon, Garndiffaith, Talywain, Varteg
Pontypool CentralPenygarn, Snatchwood, St. Cadocs, Trevethin
Pontypool WestBrynwern, Cwm Fields, Cwmynyscoy, Pontnewynydd, Pontymoile, Pontypool town centre, Tranch, Trosnant, Upper Race, Wainfelin
Pontypool EastNew Inn
Pontypool SouthGriffithstown, Sebastopol
CwmbranCwmbran NorthLowlands, Northville, Pontnewydd, Pontrhydyrun, Upper Cwmbran
Cwmbran EastCroesyceiliog, Llanyrafon North
Cwmbran North-WestGreenmeadow East, Pontnewydd, West Thornhill
Cwmbran CentralOld Cwmbran, Southville, St. Dials
Cwmbran WestGreenmeadow West, Fairwater
Cwmbran South-WestCoed Eva, Henllys, Two Locks, Ty Canol
Cwmbran South-EastCwmbran town centre, Llanfrechfa, Llantarnam, Llanyrafon South, Oakfield, Ponthir