About Chelmsford

Chelmsford is the county town of Essex, located in the east of England. It lies approximately 30 miles northeast of London and is easily accessible by road and rail. The town centre features a mix of modern and historic buildings, including the Grade I listed Chelmsford Cathedral, which dates back to the 13th century. The cathedral is a prominent landmark and a focal point for the community. Chelmsford has a lively market scene, with a weekly market held in the town centre that offers a variety of goods. The town also hosts several cultural events throughout the year, including music festivals and art exhibitions. The surrounding area includes green spaces such as the Chelmer Valley and the River Chelmer, which provide opportunities for walking and leisure. Chelmsford is known for its strong sense of community and its role as a commercial and administrative hub for Essex.

School Ratings in Chelmsford

Families in Chelmsford have access to 70 local schools. Beehive Lane Community Primary School and Chancellor Park Primary School, Chelmsford are each rated Outstanding by Ofsted. A further 11 schools hold a Good rating.

House Prices in Chelmsford

Homes sell for an average of £455K locally. Most of the housing is made up of detached homes, averaging £610K.

Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour in Chelmsford

Crime in the area is higher than the national average. Shoplifting is the leading concern across Chelmsford, with 160 incidents recorded in January 2026.

Deprivation and Employment in Chelmsford

The 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation places Chelmsford among the least deprived neighbourhoods in England. Working-age employment in the area is well above the national average. Average incomes in the area are typical for England.

Broadband and Mobile Internet in Chelmsford

Chelmsford benefits from solid broadband infrastructure, including superfast and ultrafast services. Mobile reception across 4G and 5G is dependable in most locations. For the latest speed predictions, visit Ofcom's broadband checker.

Property Prices 26,317 sales

Average Price £455K
£100 £61.05M
Detached £610K 7,881
Semi £407K 6,713
Terraced £337K 5,295
Flat £225K 5,462

Deprivation and Employment in Chelmsford IMD 2025

According to the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation, Chelmsford 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
7/10
Employment
8/10
Education
8/10
Health
8/10
Housing
7/10
Living Environment
7/10
13,718 Children (0-15) 18%
47,069 Working Age 62%
18,491 Older (60+) 25%
Average Child Poverty (IDACI) 21.6% of children in income-deprived families
Above Average Older Person Poverty (IDAOPI) 11.7% 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 Chelmsford 1,759 crimes · January 2026

High Crime Area

Crime figures for Chelmsford 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.

762 Violence & Sexual Offences
160 Shoplifting
152 Anti-Social Behaviour
136 Criminal Damage & Arson
126 Other Theft
110 Public Order
83 Drugs
77 Vehicle Crime
55 Burglary
31 Other Crime
23 Weapons
21 Robbery
16 Bicycle Theft
7 Theft from Person
Local Policing
Essex Chelmsford Town 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

Chelmsford Train Station 0.3 miles
Ingatestone Train Station 5.8 miles
Hatfield Peverel Train Station 6.3 miles
Billericay Train Station 7.4 miles
South Woodham Ferrers Train Station 8.2 miles
Wickford Train Station 8.3 miles

Location

Local Government

District Chelmsford
County Essex
Ward South Hanningfield, Stock and Margaretting
Constituency Maldon
Parish Stock
Region East of England

Notable & Famous People from Chelmsford 28 people

Amanda Root
Stage actor
British actress
Brian Phelps
Competitive diver
diver
Bruce Bastin
Musicologist
British folklorist
Grayson Perry
Writer
English artist, writer and broadcaster (born 1960)
Greg Halford
Association football player
English association football player (born 1984)
Guthrie Govan
Guitarist
British musician
Guy Black, Baron Black of Brentwood
Politician
British peer (born 1964)