Upper Birchwood on the map

Location in DerbyshireUpper Birchwood sits where the marker shows within the county.

54,497
Population
22,241
Households
5 / 10
Deprivation decile
Around average
97
Schools nearby
£45,221
Avg. household income
1,615
Businesses
572
People per km²

About Upper Birchwood

Upper Birchwood is a small village located in Derbyshire, England, within the postcode area DE55. The village is surrounded by the natural beauty of the Derbyshire countryside, offering a peaceful environment for residents and visitors alike. The area is primarily residential, with a mix of traditional and modern homes, and it provides a sense of community among its inhabitants.

Nearby, you will find various walking paths and outdoor spaces that allow for exploration of the local landscape. The village is conveniently situated for access to nearby towns and amenities, making it a suitable location for those seeking a quieter lifestyle while still being within reach of essential services. Upper Birchwood is a place where one can appreciate the simplicity of rural living in Derbyshire.

School Ratings in Upper Birchwood

Upper Birchwood is served by 97 schools. Alfreton Nursery School and Swanwick School and Sports College are each rated Outstanding by Ofsted. A further 20 schools hold a Good rating.

House Prices in Upper Birchwood

Property prices average £239K across the area, and semi-detached homes are the most common property type, typically selling for £159K.

Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour in Upper Birchwood

Local crime rates sit broadly in line with national averages. Anti-social behaviour accounts for the highest share in Upper Birchwood, with 39 incidents logged in July 2026.

Deprivation and Employment in Upper Birchwood

Based on the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation, Upper Birchwood falls within the mid-range nationally for overall deprivation. Working-age employment is around the national average for the area. Income levels locally sit close to the national average.

Healthcare in Upper Birchwood

There are 9 GP surgeries within three miles of Upper Birchwood, the nearest being Somercotes Medical Centre (0.9 miles away).

Property Prices 8,368 sales

Average Price £239K
£100 , £46M
Detached £285K 2,844
Semi £159K 3,021
Terraced £127K 2,017
Flat £96K 53

Schools & Education 97 within 5 miles View all schools

66 Primary
12 Secondary
19 Other
Outstanding 2
Good 20
Requires improvement 1

Ofsted ratings for schools in the DE55 postcode area.

Somercotes Infant and Nursery School Primary Good 0.8 miles Somerlea Park Junior School Primary Good 0.9 miles Leys Junior School Primary Good 1.1 miles Longwood Infant Academy Primary Outstanding 1.2 miles Riddings Junior School Primary 1.2 miles Riddings Infant and Nursery School Primary 1.2 miles South Normanton Nursery School Nursery Good 1.3 miles Glebe Junior School Primary 1.3 miles Frederick Gent School Secondary Good 1.3 miles Pinxton Nursery School Nursery Good 1.4 miles Kirkstead Junior Academy Primary Good 1.4 miles John King Infant Academy Primary Outstanding 1.4 miles

Household Income in Upper Birchwood ONS 2023

The average total household income in Upper Birchwood is approximately £45,221 a year before tax, 18% below the national average of £55,302. After tax and benefits, the average disposable (net) household income is around £33,694. These are modelled estimates from the Office for National Statistics for the financial year ending 2023.

Upper Birchwood £45,221
England & Wales avg. £55,302

Net (after tax) household income averages £33,694.

Businesses in Upper Birchwood ONS 2025

There are approximately 1,615 active businesses based in Upper Birchwood, around 30 for every 1,000 residents. The local economy is dominated by small firms: about 86% are micro-businesses employing fewer than 10 people, while 59 are larger employers with 50 or more staff. Figures are from the Office for National Statistics UK Business Counts.

1,615 Total businesses
30 Per 1,000 residents
Micro, 0-9 86%
Small, 10-49 11%
Medium, 50-249 3%
Large, 250+ 0%

Deprivation and Employment in Upper Birchwood IMD 2025

The 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation places Upper Birchwood in the mid-range nationally. Employment and income levels are close to the England average, with a mix of opportunities across sectors. Overall living conditions are comparable to similar areas across the country.

Overall Deprivation
5/10
Income
5/10
Employment
4/10
Education
4/10
Health
4/10
Housing
7/10
Living Environment
5/10
Children 0-15 17%
Working age 62%
Older 65+ 21%
9,469 Children (0-15) 17%
33,556 Working Age 62%
11,460 Older (65+) 21%
Average Child Poverty (IDACI) 36.2% of children in income-deprived families
Average Older Person Poverty (IDAOPI) 18.4% 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 Upper Birchwood 227 crimes · July 2026

Average Crime Area

Upper Birchwood experiences crime rates that are roughly comparable to the national picture. Violence & sexual offences is the most reported category, consistent with broader patterns across similar communities. Day-to-day life here reflects the usual mix of challenges found in any established town.

Violence & Sexual Offences 89
Anti-Social Behaviour 39
Public Order 28
Shoplifting 17
Criminal Damage & Arson 15
Other Theft 11
Burglary 9
Drugs 7
Vehicle Crime 6
Bicycle Theft 3
Other Crime 3
Local Policing
Derbyshire Somercotes and Riddings 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

Alfreton Train Station 1.2 miles
Kirkby-In-Ashfield Train Station 4.2 miles
Sutton Parkway Train Station 4.7 miles
Langley Mill Train Station 4.9 miles
Newstead Train Station 5.4 miles
Ambergate Train Station 5.6 miles

Location

Nearby Towns & Villages 12 found

Lower Birchwood 0 yards Cotes Park 0.6 miles Somercotes 0.9 miles Pinxton 1.2 miles Pye Bridge 1.2 miles Selston Green 1.4 miles Leabrooks 1.4 miles Alfreton 1.4 miles Riddings 1.4 miles Pye Hill 1.4 miles Jubilee 1.4 miles South Normanton 1.4 miles

Local Government

District Amber Valley
County Derbyshire
Ward Swanwick
Constituency Amber Valley
Parish Swanwick
Region East Midlands

Home Ownership in Upper Birchwood

Of the 24,155 households in and around Upper Birchwood, 68% are owned, 17% are socially rented and 15% are privately rented. Home ownership here is higher than the England and Wales average of 63%.

Owned 68% Social rented 17% Private rented 15%

Tenure from the 2021 Census (ONS), for the postcode districts covering Upper Birchwood.

Frequently Asked Questions about Upper Birchwood

What is the population of Upper Birchwood?
Upper Birchwood has a population of approximately 54,497 residents, based on the latest census figures for the surrounding postcode area.
What is the average house price in Upper Birchwood?
The average property in and around Upper Birchwood sold for about £238,796, based on HM Land Registry Price Paid records. That is around 32% below the England and Wales average of £349,091.
Is Upper Birchwood a deprived area?
Upper Birchwood sits around the national average for deprivation, with an Index of Multiple Deprivation decile of 5 out of 10, where 1 is the most deprived and 10 the least deprived.
What postcodes cover Upper Birchwood?
Upper Birchwood is covered by the DE55 postcode district.
How many schools are there in Upper Birchwood?
There are 97 schools within 5 miles of Upper Birchwood, spanning primary, secondary and other phases.
Where is the nearest train station to Upper Birchwood?
The nearest railway station to Upper Birchwood is Alfreton Train Station, about 1.2 miles away.

Streets in DE55 30 shown View all streets

A38 3 A61 1 Abbott Road 1 Addison Road 1 Addison Street 1 Albert Street 1 Alfred Street 4 Alfreton Road 16 Alftreton Old Tunnel 1 Allen View 1 Alma Street 1 Almond Grove 1 Althorp Close 1 Amber Close 1 Amber Grove 1 Arlington Drive 1 Arran Court 1 Arthur Street 1 Ash Close 1 Ashfield Avenue 1 Ashover Road 1 Ashover View 1 Ashton Close 2 Aspen Rise 1 Aumonier Way 1 Azalea Avenue 1 Azalea Close 1 B6014 3 B6016 1 B6025 3

Postcodes in DE55 50 shown View all postcodes

DE55 1AA DE55 1AB DE55 1AD DE55 1AE DE55 1AF DE55 1AG DE55 1AH DE55 1AJ DE55 1AN DE55 1AP DE55 1AQ DE55 1AR DE55 1AS DE55 1AT DE55 1AU DE55 1AW DE55 1AX DE55 1AY DE55 1AZ DE55 1BA DE55 1BB DE55 1BD DE55 1BE DE55 1BG DE55 1BH DE55 1BJ DE55 1BL DE55 1BN DE55 1BP DE55 1BQ DE55 1BR DE55 1BS DE55 1BT DE55 1BU DE55 1BW DE55 1BX DE55 1BY DE55 1BZ DE55 1DA DE55 1DB DE55 1DD DE55 1DE DE55 1DF DE55 1DG DE55 1DH DE55 1DJ DE55 1DL DE55 1DN DE55 1DP DE55 1DQ