For much of its history Mickleton has been dominated by the land in terms of its economy and the land owners, as were many other rural villages in England. This changed radically in the twentieth century with the move from a largely rural economy to one of work in the wider economy including outside the village. In this Mickleton is much like many other rural communities in England. The predominance of the land and agriculture lasted well into the twentieth century, even though the nature of which changed over time from small scale almost subsistence farming to relatively intensive market garden enterprises. Agriculture has therefore helped to shape the nature of the village for much of its history. However, agriculture is no longer the mainstay of the village, nor is there an industrial heritage. Like many rural villages, it has become much more cosmopolitan, with locals moving out and people moving into the village from outside the area who work elsewhere or may be retired.
Until the middle of the twentieth century the village had probably hardly changed in the previous 400 years. Mickleton has always been and in many respects, remains an agricultural area. Even at the time of the Domesday Book Mickleton could be said to be under the plough, which suggests farming was a significant, if not the principle, activity in the village. Many people were born and bred in the village and who would have roots going back over many generations. However, changes in demographics, including an influx of retirees and millennials, have meant it is very different now with perhaps more ‘incomers’ than locals who have a family history associated with the village. In part, this is due to changes in ownership of the older housing stock and new house builds.
Up to the end of the nineteen century, Mickleton like many rural communities, had probably been somewhat inward looking even insular. In large part this was due to a rigid social structure, manual nature of rural life, and the lack of opportunity for most people to travel and experience the world outside their community. However, from the end of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries this changed for many rural communities. The mechanics of this change are obvious. There had been a revolution in the countryside, due chiefly to new farming methods and the development of the motor engine both as a means of power and as a link between towns and villages. Events such as the First World War were also a watershed in Britain. In some ways families and the village community as a whole lost their attachment to place. It was not simply that a mode of life changed but a whole culture that had largely been preserved for many generations was swept aside in less than a couple of generations. This revolution was not confined to England; it was worldwide, and occurred over the same period - the first half of the twentieth century.
Mickleton had a population of 1,551 in the 1991 census which had increased to 1,676 by the 2011 census. This will no doubt increase significantly by the time of the next census which is due in 2021. This is in large part due to three new substantial housing developments by Carla Homes at Shepherd's Fold off the Stratford Road, Newland Homes at Cotswold Edge, and Miller Homes at Oak Grange off the Broad Marston Road. In recent years, a total of about 230 new homes have been built in the village. Even at two people per new home there will be a minimum of 460 extra residents in Mickleton. Other smaller developments will add to this total. The population may well, therefore, be over 2,000 by 2021. What that means for local facilities and infrastructure including extra car journeys, as each new home is likely to have at least one and possible two or more cars, remains to be seen.
For the elderly in the village there is a retirement/social housing complex off Granbrook Lane and Cedar Road called The Leasows. In this complex, there are 21 one bedroom bungalows primarily for rent by the over 60s. Shared facilities on site include a community lounge, laundry and garden. Services provided for the residents include resident management staff and a community alarm service.
The origin of the name Leasows is not obvious. It may be linked to the name of an estate at Halesowen near Birmingham called The Leasowes. This has an association with Mickleton in that it was developed by William Shenstone (1714-1763) a poet and practitioner of landscape gardening, who was a friend of Henry Graves of the Manor in Mickleton; they had been at Oxford together. He also was known to have stayed at the Manor in about 1750. It is said he recommended a planting of Scots pines on the ridge of the Cotswold escarpment above the Village which can still be seen today. These are known as Shenstone’s pines. He was also said to associated with the planting of an avenue of elms which ran up to Kiftsgate, which have since succumbed to Dutch Elm Disease.
Residential care in the village for the elderly is available at the Four Seasons care home located on Back Lane. This is a privately-run facility which provides accommodation for persons who require nursing or personal care for short and longer stay and respite, and can accommodate 21 persons. It is run by Four Seasons Mickleton Limited.