Little Canford on the map

Location in DorsetLittle Canford sits where the marker shows within the county.

44,289
Population
16,866
Households
8 / 10
Deprivation decile
Among least deprived
12
Schools nearby
£59,497
Avg. household income
2,402
Businesses
199
People per km²
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About Little Canford

Little Canford is a small village located in Dorset, England, with the postcode area BH21. The village is situated near the River Stour, providing a scenic backdrop for local residents. It is primarily a residential area, featuring a mix of traditional and modern homes. The village is surrounded by green spaces, making it suitable for outdoor activities such as walking and cycling.

The local community is served by a few essential amenities, including a primary school and a small shop. Nearby, the larger town of Wimborne Minster offers additional services, shops, and dining options. Little Canford is well-connected by road, allowing easy access to surrounding areas and attractions in Dorset. The village's location makes it a convenient base for exploring the wider region, including the beautiful countryside and coastal areas nearby.

School Ratings in Little Canford

There are 104 schools in and around Little Canford. A further 16 schools hold a Good rating.

House Prices in Little Canford

The average property price is £461K, with detached homes making up the majority of the housing stock at around £546K.

Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour in Little Canford

Recorded crime levels are lower than the national average. Anti-social behaviour is prevalent across Little Canford, with 13 recorded incidents in April 2026.

Deprivation and Employment in Little Canford

According to the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation, Little Canford ranks among the least deprived areas in England. Employment levels are strong, with low rates of working-age exclusion from the labour market. Household incomes are generally above the national average.

Healthcare in Little Canford

There are 7 GP surgeries within three miles of Little Canford, the nearest being Orchid House Surgery (1.9 miles away).

Local Data for Little Canford

Dig deeper into the area around Little Canford 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 6,191 sales

Average Price £461K
£500 , £33.63M
Detached £546K 2,929
Semi £372K 1,271
Terraced £328K 912
Flat £222K 614

Schools & Education 12 nearby View all schools

50 Primary
21 Secondary
33 Other
Good 16
Requires improvement 1

Ofsted ratings for schools in the BH21 postcode area.

Hampreston Church of England Voluntary Aided First School Primary 0.7 miles Canford School Not applicable 0.8 miles Hayeswood First School Primary Good 0.9 miles Colehill First School Primary Good 1.1 miles The White House School Not applicable Good 1.3 miles Wimborne 1.5 miles St Michael's Church of England Middle School, Colehill Middle deemed secondary Good 1.6 miles Merley First School Primary Good 1.6 miles Beaucroft Foundation School Not applicable Good 1.7 miles Bearwood Primary and Nursery School Primary Good 1.7 miles Ferndown Upper School Secondary Good 1.7 miles Ferndown Middle School Middle deemed secondary 1.7 miles

Household Income in Little Canford ONS 2023

The average total household income in Little Canford is approximately £59,497 a year before tax, 8% above the national average of £55,302. After tax and benefits, the average disposable (net) household income is around £42,381. These are modelled estimates from the Office for National Statistics for the financial year ending 2023.

Little Canford £59,497
England & Wales avg. £55,302

Net (after tax) household income averages £42,381.

Businesses in Little Canford ONS 2025

There are approximately 2,402 active businesses based in Little Canford, around 54 for every 1,000 residents. The local economy is dominated by small firms: about 89% are micro-businesses employing fewer than 10 people, while 29 are larger employers with 50 or more staff. Figures are from the Office for National Statistics UK Business Counts.

2,402 Total businesses
54 Per 1,000 residents
Micro, 0-9 89%
Small, 10-49 9%
Medium, 50-249 1%
Large, 250+ 1%

Deprivation and Employment in Little Canford IMD 2025

Little Canford is one of the least deprived areas in England according to the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation. Employment opportunities are widely accessible and household incomes tend to sit comfortably above the national average. The area benefits from strong local services and a settled, established community.

Overall Deprivation
8/10
Income
8/10
Employment
8/10
Education
7/10
Health
8/10
Housing
4/10
Living Environment
8/10
Children 0-15 17%
Working age 56%
Older 65+ 27%
7,461 Children (0-15) 17%
24,845 Working Age 56%
11,975 Older (65+) 27%
Above Average Child Poverty (IDACI) 19.3% of children in income-deprived families
Above Average Older Person Poverty (IDAOPI) 8.2% 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 Little Canford 60 crimes · April 2026

Low Crime Area

Little Canford records relatively low levels of reported crime compared to national averages. Violence & sexual offences is the most commonly logged offence type, though overall numbers remain modest. The area is generally considered a safe and settled town with a strong sense of community.

Violence & Sexual Offences 24
Anti-Social Behaviour 13
Shoplifting 7
Other Theft 4
Criminal Damage & Arson 3
Public Order 3
Drugs 2
Theft from Person 2
Burglary 1
Vehicle Crime 1
Local Policing
Dorset Poole North 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

Branksome Train Station 4.7 miles
Parkstone (Dorset) Train Station 5 miles
Poole Train Station 5.6 miles
Hamworthy Train Station 5.9 miles
Pokesdown Train Station 6.6 miles
Christchurch Train Station 7.8 miles

Location

Nearby Towns & Villages 12 found

Stapehill 0.9 miles Hampreston 0.9 miles Canford Magna 0.9 miles Leigh 1.2 miles Knighton 1.2 miles Merley 1.4 miles Colehill 1.4 miles Longham 1.4 miles Pilford 1.4 miles Bearwood 1.4 miles Merry Field Hill 1.8 miles Wimborne Minster 2 miles

Local Government

District Dorset
Ward Wimborne Minster
Constituency Mid Dorset and North Poole
Parish Wimborne Minster
Region South West

Home Ownership in Little Canford

Of the 18,699 households in and around Little Canford, 75% are owned, 11% are socially rented and 14% are privately rented. Home ownership here is higher than the England and Wales average of 63%.

Owned 75% Social rented 11% Private rented 14%

Tenure from the 2021 Census (ONS), for the postcode districts covering Little Canford.

Frequently Asked Questions about Little Canford

What is the population of Little Canford?
Little Canford has a population of approximately 44,289 residents, based on the latest census figures for the surrounding postcode area.
What is the average house price in Little Canford?
The average property in and around Little Canford sold for about £461,234, based on HM Land Registry Price Paid records. That is around 32% above the England and Wales average of £349,091.
Is Little Canford a deprived area?
Little Canford 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 Little Canford?
Little Canford is covered by the BH21 postcode district.
How many schools are there in Little Canford?
There are 12 schools within easy reach of Little Canford, spanning primary, secondary and other phases.
Where is the nearest train station to Little Canford?
The nearest railway station to Little Canford is Branksome Train Station, about 4.7 miles away.

Streets in BH21 30 shown View all streets

A31 7 A350 3 Abbott Street 4 Ainsley Road 2 Albany Drive 2 Albert Road 6 All Fools Lane 2 Allen Court 2 Allen Road 1 Allenview Road 5 Amber Road 1 Arnhem Close 1 Arrowsmith Lane 2 Arrowsmith Road 4 Ashdene Close 1 Ashington Gardens 1 Ashington Lane 2 Ashmeads Close 1 Ashmeads Way 1 Athelstan Way 1 Avenue Road 2 Award Road 2 Azura Close 1 B3078 15 B3081 9 Back Lane 1 Badbury View 1 Badbury View Road 1 Baileys Hill 2 Bakers Lane 1

Postcodes in BH21 50 shown View all postcodes

BH21 1AA BH21 1AB BH21 1AD BH21 1AE BH21 1AF BH21 1AG BH21 1AH BH21 1AJ BH21 1AL BH21 1AN BH21 1AP BH21 1AQ BH21 1AS BH21 1AT BH21 1AU BH21 1AW BH21 1AX BH21 1AY BH21 1AZ BH21 1BA BH21 1BB BH21 1BD BH21 1BE BH21 1BG BH21 1BH BH21 1BJ BH21 1BL BH21 1BN BH21 1BP BH21 1BQ BH21 1BS BH21 1BT BH21 1BU BH21 1BW BH21 1BX BH21 1BY BH21 1BZ BH21 1DA BH21 1DB BH21 1DD BH21 1DE BH21 1DF BH21 1DG BH21 1DH BH21 1DJ BH21 1DL BH21 1DN BH21 1DP BH21 1DQ BH21 1DR