Purley on Thames on the map

Location in BerkshirePurley on Thames sits where the marker shows within the county.

27,881
Population
11,134
Households
8 / 10
Deprivation decile
Among least deprived
12
Schools nearby
£69,700
Avg. household income
796
Businesses
2,007
People per km²
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About Purley on Thames

Purley on Thames is a village located in Berkshire, England, within the RG31 postcode area. Situated along the River Thames, it offers a mix of residential areas and green spaces. The village is primarily a suburban community, making it a quiet place for families and those seeking a peaceful lifestyle. Local amenities include shops, schools, and parks, providing essential services for residents.

The village is well-connected by road and public transport, with nearby access to the larger town of Reading. Purley on Thames also features several walking paths along the river, ideal for leisurely strolls. The surrounding countryside offers opportunities for outdoor activities, making it a suitable location for nature enthusiasts. Overall, Purley on Thames provides a comfortable living environment with convenient access to both rural and urban attractions.

School Ratings in Purley on Thames

Families in Purley on Thames have access to 115 local schools. Birch Copse Primary School is rated Outstanding by Ofsted. A further 9 schools hold a Good rating.

House Prices in Purley on Thames

Homes sell for an average of £413K locally. Most of the housing is made up of semi-detached homes, averaging £384K.

Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour in Purley on Thames

Crime in the area is higher than the national average. Shoplifting is the leading concern across Purley on Thames, with 64 incidents recorded in April 2026.

Deprivation and Employment in Purley on Thames

The 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation places Purley on Thames among the least deprived neighbourhoods in England. Working-age employment in the area is well above the national average. Residents in the area generally earn above the national average.

Healthcare in Purley on Thames

There are 20 GP surgeries within three miles of Purley on Thames, the nearest being Tilehurst Village Surgery (0.9 miles away).

Local Data for Purley on Thames

Dig deeper into the area around Purley on Thames with our free postcode tools.

Food Hygiene Ratings Hygiene scores for cafes, takeaways and shops Nearest GP Surgery Find the GP surgeries closest to a postcode Compare Areas Put two areas head to head House Prices Recent sale prices and trends

Property Prices 3,599 sales

Average Price £413K
£1K , £15.61M
Detached £565K 919
Semi £384K 1,350
Terraced £327K 792
Flat £204K 473

Schools & Education 12 nearby View all schools

59 Primary
16 Secondary
40 Other
Outstanding 1
Good 9

Ofsted ratings for schools in the RG31 postcode area.

Westwood Farm Junior School Primary Good 145 yards Westwood Farm Infant School Primary 145 yards Brookfields School Not applicable 0.2 miles Downsway Primary School Primary Good 0.4 miles Long Lane Primary School Primary Good 0.4 miles Denefield School Secondary Good 0.6 miles Purley CofE Primary School Primary Good 0.6 miles Norcot Early Years Centre Nursery Outstanding 1.1 miles Blagrave Nursery School Nursery 1.2 miles Meadow Park Academy Primary Good 1.2 miles Park Lane Primary School Primary Good 1.2 miles Birch Copse Primary School Primary Outstanding 1.3 miles

Household Income in Purley on Thames ONS 2023

The average total household income in Purley on Thames is approximately £69,700 a year before tax, 26% above the national average of £55,302. After tax and benefits, the average disposable (net) household income is around £48,149. These are modelled estimates from the Office for National Statistics for the financial year ending 2023.

Purley on Thames £69,700
England & Wales avg. £55,302

Net (after tax) household income averages £48,149.

Businesses in Purley on Thames ONS 2025

There are approximately 796 active businesses based in Purley on Thames, around 29 for every 1,000 residents. The local economy is dominated by small firms: about 94% are micro-businesses employing fewer than 10 people, while 5 are larger employers with 50 or more staff. Figures are from the Office for National Statistics UK Business Counts.

796 Total businesses
29 Per 1,000 residents
Micro, 0-9 94%
Small, 10-49 6%
Medium, 50-249 1%
Large, 250+ 0%

Deprivation and Employment in Purley on Thames IMD 2025

According to the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation, Purley on Thames experiences very low levels of deprivation. The local economy supports strong employment and incomes are above the national average. Access to services, education and healthcare in the area is generally good.

Overall Deprivation
8/10
Income
8/10
Employment
8/10
Education
7/10
Health
8/10
Housing
5/10
Living Environment
9/10
Children 0-15 18%
Working age 61%
Older 65+ 21%
5,131 Children (0-15) 18%
16,917 Working Age 61%
5,838 Older (65+) 21%
Average Child Poverty (IDACI) 19.6% of children in income-deprived families
Above Average Older Person Poverty (IDAOPI) 9.4% of over-60s in income-deprived households
Data from English Indices of Deprivation 2025 · Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

Crime in Purley on Thames 410 crimes · April 2026

High Crime Area

Crime figures for Purley on Thames are higher than the England and Wales average, with violence & sexual offences the most prevalent offence recorded. Urban density and footfall contribute to elevated reporting in areas like this. Ongoing investment in policing and community safety programmes aims to improve the picture.

Violence & Sexual Offences 176
Shoplifting 64
Anti-Social Behaviour 43
Criminal Damage & Arson 31
Other Theft 26
Public Order 26
Vehicle Crime 13
Burglary 9
Other Crime 6
Theft from Person 5
Bicycle Theft 4
Drugs 4
Robbery 2
Weapons 1
Local Policing
Thames Valley Calcot and Tilehurst Visit force website →
Data from data.police.uk · Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0
Crime figures depend on reporting by individual police forces and may not reflect the full picture in all areas.

Nearest Train Stations 6 stations

Tilehurst Train Station 0.6 miles
Pangbourne Train Station 2.1 miles
Reading West Train Station 2.7 miles
Theale Train Station 3 miles
Goring And Streatley Train Station 4.9 miles
Earley Train Station 5.9 miles

Location

Nearby Towns & Villages 12 found

Mapledurham 0.9 miles Tilehurst 1.2 miles Sulham 1.4 miles Little Heath 1.4 miles Trench Green 1.8 miles Tidmarsh 2 miles Pangbourne 2 miles Horncastle 2 miles Churchend 2 miles Cross Lanes 2 miles Collins End 2 miles Chazey Heath 2.2 miles

Local Government

District West Berkshire
Ward Tilehurst Birch Copse
Constituency Reading West
Parish Tilehurst
Region South East

Home Ownership in Purley on Thames

Of the 11,207 households in and around Purley on Thames, 83% are owned, 5% are socially rented and 12% are privately rented. Home ownership here is higher than the England and Wales average of 63%.

Owned 83% Social rented 5% Private rented 12%

Tenure from the 2021 Census (ONS), for the postcode districts covering Purley on Thames.

Frequently Asked Questions about Purley on Thames

What is the population of Purley on Thames?
Purley on Thames has a population of approximately 27,881 residents, based on the latest census figures for the surrounding postcode area.
What is the average house price in Purley on Thames?
The average property in and around Purley on Thames sold for about £412,967, based on HM Land Registry Price Paid records. That is around 18% above the England and Wales average of £349,091.
Is Purley on Thames a deprived area?
Purley on Thames sits among the least deprived areas in England, with an Index of Multiple Deprivation decile of 8 out of 10, where 1 is the most deprived and 10 the least deprived.
What postcodes cover Purley on Thames?
Purley on Thames is covered by the RG31 postcode district.
How many schools are there in Purley on Thames?
There are 12 schools within easy reach of Purley on Thames, spanning primary, secondary and other phases.
Where is the nearest train station to Purley on Thames?
The nearest railway station to Purley on Thames is Tilehurst Train Station, about 0.6 miles away.

Streets in RG31 30 shown View all streets

Acorn Walk 1 Addiscombe Chase 1 Albert Illsley Close 2 Albury Gardens 3 Alder Drive 2 Andover Close 1 Angus Close 2 Apple Close 1 Armour Hill 4 Armour Road 9 Armour Walk 1 Ashbury Drive 1 Ashmere Close 1 Ashton Close 1 Ashwood Close 1 Aston Avenue 1 Avington Close 1 Avon Close 1 Ayrton Senna Road 1 Bainbridge Road 1 Balfour Drive 1 Ballamore Close 1 Bamford Place 1 Bancroft Place 1 Barbara's Meadow 1 Barbrook Close 1 Barclay Road 1 Barefoot Close 1 Barley Walk 1 Barton Road 1

Postcodes in RG31 50 shown View all postcodes

RG31 4AA RG31 4AB RG31 4DR RG31 4DU RG31 4EE RG31 4EF RG31 4EH RG31 4EJ RG31 4EL RG31 4EN RG31 4EP RG31 4ER RG31 4ES RG31 4ET RG31 4EU RG31 4EX RG31 4EY RG31 4HA RG31 4HE RG31 4HQ RG31 4JQ RG31 4QL RG31 4QR RG31 4QS RG31 4QT RG31 4QU RG31 4QX RG31 4QY RG31 4QZ RG31 4RA RG31 4RB RG31 4RD RG31 4RE RG31 4RG RG31 4RH RG31 4RJ RG31 4RL RG31 4RQ RG31 4SA RG31 4SE RG31 4SF RG31 4SG RG31 4SJ RG31 4SL RG31 4SN RG31 4SP RG31 4SQ RG31 4SR RG31 4SS RG31 4ST