Largely consisting of affordable housing owned by the Local Authority, many of the homes have been purchased by long term residents of the area.

The area was mainly farmland until the early years of the twentieth century, when E. A. Elliot moved his pottery works here from Bear Cross further north.

The clay was superior to that at Bear Cross and from 1912, roofing tiles and terra cotta ware were manufactured here in addition to bricks that were being used in the course of Bournemouth's urban expansion.

[4] In 2007, it was reported that West Howe was one of the most economically deprived areas in England, with an estimated 37% of the population living below the poverty line.

West Howe is part of the Kinson ward which elects three councillors to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council.