Colchester on the map

Colchester built-up area

Built-up area34.0 km² (13.1 sq mi)

Location in EssexColchester sits where the marker shows within the county.

238,788
Population
89,768
Households
5 / 10
Deprivation decile
Around average
84
Schools nearby
£61,331
Avg. household income
9,989
Businesses
415
People per km²
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About Colchester

Colchester, located in Essex, England, is one of the oldest recorded towns in Britain. It has a rich Roman heritage, with significant archaeological sites such as the Roman walls and the Temple of Claudius. The town centre features a mix of modern shops and historical buildings, reflecting its long-standing significance. Colchester Castle, a Norman structure built on the site of the Roman temple, is a notable landmark and houses a museum that showcases the town's past.

In addition to its historical attractions, Colchester offers a variety of parks and green spaces, providing opportunities for outdoor activities. The town is also home to the University of Essex, which contributes to a lively atmosphere with various cultural events and exhibitions throughout the year. With its blend of history and modern amenities, Colchester serves as an interesting destination for visitors and residents alike.

School Ratings in Colchester

Colchester is served by 84 schools. St Thomas More's Catholic Primary School, Colchester is rated Outstanding by Ofsted. A further 2 schools hold a Good rating.

House Prices in Colchester

Property prices average £356K across the area, and detached homes are the most common property type, typically selling for £475K.

Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour in Colchester

Local crime rates sit broadly in line with national averages. Anti-social behaviour accounts for the highest share in Colchester, with 190 incidents logged in May 2026.

Deprivation and Employment in Colchester

Based on the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation, Colchester 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 Colchester

There are 42 GP surgeries within three miles of Colchester, the nearest being Ewmhs Ne Essex (0.2 miles away).

Local Data for Colchester

Dig deeper into the area around Colchester 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 36,644 sales

Average Price £356K
£100 , £63M
Detached £475K 11,954
Semi £315K 9,963
Terraced £269K 7,449
Flat £179K 5,745

Schools & Education 84 within 5 miles View all schools

55 Primary
11 Secondary
18 Other
Outstanding 1
Good 2

Ofsted ratings for schools in the CO1 postcode area.

The Sixth Form College Colchester 16 plus 0.2 miles North Primary School and Nursery Primary Good 0.3 miles Colchester Institute 16 plus Good 0.4 miles St Helena School Secondary Good 0.4 miles St John's Green Primary School Primary Good 0.4 miles Colchester Prep & High School Not applicable 0.5 miles St Thomas More's Catholic Primary School, Colchester Primary Outstanding 0.5 miles St James the Great Church of England Primary School Primary Good 0.6 miles Colchester Royal Grammar School Secondary 0.6 miles Kingswode Hoe School Not applicable 0.7 miles Hamilton Primary School Primary 0.9 miles St Mary's School for Girls Not applicable 0.9 miles

Household Income in Colchester ONS 2023

The average total household income in Colchester is approximately £61,331 a year before tax, 11% above the national average of £55,302. After tax and benefits, the average disposable (net) household income is around £44,580. These are modelled estimates from the Office for National Statistics for the financial year ending 2023.

Colchester £61,331
England & Wales avg. £55,302

Net (after tax) household income averages £44,580.

Businesses in Colchester ONS 2025

There are approximately 9,989 active businesses based in Colchester, around 42 for every 1,000 residents. The local economy is dominated by small firms: about 89% are micro-businesses employing fewer than 10 people, while 216 are larger employers with 50 or more staff. Figures are from the Office for National Statistics UK Business Counts.

9,989 Total businesses
42 Per 1,000 residents
Micro, 0-9 89%
Small, 10-49 9%
Medium, 50-249 2%
Large, 250+ 0%

Deprivation and Employment in Colchester IMD 2025

The 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation places Colchester 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
5/10
Education
5/10
Health
4/10
Housing
6/10
Living Environment
5/10
Children 0-15 18%
Working age 62%
Older 65+ 20%
43,970 Children (0-15) 18%
148,539 Working Age 62%
46,279 Older (65+) 19%
Average Child Poverty (IDACI) 39.3% of children in income-deprived families
Average Older Person Poverty (IDAOPI) 23.8% 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 Colchester 1,531 crimes · May 2026

Average Crime Area

Colchester 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 city.

Violence & Sexual Offences 649
Anti-Social Behaviour 190
Shoplifting 167
Public Order 120
Criminal Damage & Arson 103
Other Theft 91
Vehicle Crime 53
Drugs 36
Other Crime 27
Burglary 25
Robbery 23
Bicycle Theft 19
Weapons 18
Theft from Person 10
Local Policing
Essex Colchester Town West 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

Colchester Town Train Station 0.5 miles
Colchester Train Station 0.6 miles
Hythe (Essex) Train Station 1.4 miles
Wivenhoe Train Station 3.5 miles
Alresford (Essex) Train Station 5 miles
Marks Tey Train Station 5.1 miles

Location

Nearby Towns & Villages 12 found

Abbey Field 0.6 miles Braiswick 0.9 miles Lexden 1.2 miles Mile End 1.2 miles Parson's Heath 1.4 miles The Hythe 1.4 miles Shrub End 1.8 miles Old Heath 1.8 miles Greenstead 1.9 miles Berechurch 1.9 miles Welshwood Park 2 miles Maypole Green 2 miles

Local Government

District Colchester
County Essex
Ward Marks Tey & Layer
Constituency Witham
Parish Virley
Region East of England

Home Ownership in Colchester

Of the 99,374 households in and around Colchester, 68% are owned, 12% are socially rented and 20% are privately rented. Home ownership here is higher than the England and Wales average of 63%.

Owned 68% Social rented 12% Private rented 20%

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

Frequently Asked Questions about Colchester

What is the population of Colchester?
Colchester has a population of approximately 238,788 residents, based on the latest census figures for the surrounding postcode area.
What is the average house price in Colchester?
The average property in and around Colchester sold for about £356,054, based on HM Land Registry Price Paid records. That is close to the England and Wales average of £349,091.
Is Colchester a deprived area?
Colchester 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 Colchester?
Colchester is covered by the CO1, CO2, CO3, CO4, CO5, CO6, CO7 postcode districts.
How many schools are there in Colchester?
There are 84 schools within 5 miles of Colchester, spanning primary, secondary and other phases.
Where is the nearest train station to Colchester?
The nearest railway station to Colchester is Colchester Town Train Station, about 0.5 miles away.

Streets in Colchester 30 shown View all streets

A1071 1 A12 7 A120 3 Aardvark Drive 1 Abberton Road 12 Abbey Field View 2 Abbey Gate Street 1 Abbot's Road 8 Abbots Wick Lane 1 Abbotts Lane 1 Abrey Close 1 Acacia Avenue 2 Accommodation Road 2 Achnacone Drive 1 Acland Avenue 1 Acland Court 1 Acorn Close 2 Acorn Mews 1 Acorn Walk 1 Adelaide Drive 2 Admirals Walk 3 Aerofoil Grove 1 Affleck Road 1 Ager Avenue 1 Aggregate Walk 1 Agnes Silverside Close 1 Aingers Green Road 1 Aisne Road 1 Alamein Road 2 Alan Way 5

Postcodes in Colchester 50 shown View all postcodes

CO1 1AA CO1 1AG CO1 1AH CO1 1AJ CO1 1AN CO1 1AP CO1 1AQ CO1 1AT CO1 1AU CO1 1AW CO1 1AZ CO1 1BB CO1 1BE CO1 1BG CO1 1BN CO1 1BP CO1 1BQ CO1 1BT CO1 1BU CO1 1BW CO1 1BX CO1 1BY CO1 1BZ CO1 1DA CO1 1DB CO1 1DF CO1 1DG CO1 1DH CO1 1DJ CO1 1DL CO1 1DN CO1 1DQ CO1 1DS CO1 1DU CO1 1DW CO1 1DX CO1 1DZ CO1 1EA CO1 1ED CO1 1EE CO1 1EG CO1 1EH CO1 1EJ CO1 1EL CO1 1EN CO1 1EQ CO1 1ES CO1 1EU CO1 1EW CO1 1EY