Thornton Heath on the map

Location in Greater LondonThornton Heath sits where the marker shows within the county.

49,617
Population
16,261
Households
4 / 10
Deprivation decile
Around average
12
Schools nearby
£66,333
Avg. household income
1,211
Businesses
10,533
People per km²
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About Thornton Heath

Thornton Heath is a suburb located in the London Borough of Croydon, within Greater London. It is situated approximately 10 miles south of central London, making it a convenient location for those commuting into the city. The area is primarily residential, featuring a mix of housing styles, including Victorian and Edwardian properties. The local high street offers a variety of shops, cafes, and services catering to the community's needs.

Transport links in Thornton Heath are well-established, with the railway station providing direct services to London Victoria and London Bridge. The area is also served by several bus routes, connecting it to nearby districts. Local parks, such as Thornton Heath Recreation Ground, offer green spaces for leisure activities. Overall, Thornton Heath provides a practical suburban lifestyle with easy access to the amenities of London.

School Ratings in Thornton Heath

Thornton Heath is served by 558 schools. Bensham Manor School and David Livingstone Academy are each rated Outstanding by Ofsted. A further 13 schools hold a Good rating.

House Prices in Thornton Heath

Property prices average £396K across the area, and terraced houses are the most common property type, typically selling for £411K.

Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour in Thornton Heath

Local crime rates sit higher than national averages. Anti-social behaviour accounts for the highest share in Thornton Heath, with 508 incidents logged in May 2026.

Deprivation and Employment in Thornton Heath

Based on the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation, Thornton Heath falls within the mid-range nationally for overall deprivation. Working-age employment is around the national average for the area. Income deprivation is more prevalent, with household earnings falling below the national average.

Healthcare in Thornton Heath

There are 110 GP surgeries within three miles of Thornton Heath, the nearest being Leander Family Practice (0.3 miles away).

Property Prices 3,689 sales

Average Price £396K
£200 , £17.2M
Detached £592K 46
Semi £467K 385
Terraced £411K 1,911
Flat £247K 1,103

Household Income in Thornton Heath ONS 2023

The average total household income in Thornton Heath is approximately £66,333 a year before tax, 20% above the national average of £55,302. After tax and benefits, the average disposable (net) household income is around £47,049. These are modelled estimates from the Office for National Statistics for the financial year ending 2023.

Thornton Heath £66,333
England & Wales avg. £55,302

Net (after tax) household income averages £47,049.

Businesses in Thornton Heath ONS 2025

There are approximately 1,211 active businesses based in Thornton Heath, around 24 for every 1,000 residents. The local economy is dominated by small firms: about 95% are micro-businesses employing fewer than 10 people, while 1 are larger employers with 50 or more staff. Figures are from the Office for National Statistics UK Business Counts.

1,211 Total businesses
24 Per 1,000 residents
Micro, 0-9 95%
Small, 10-49 4%
Medium, 50-249 0%
Large, 250+ 1%

Deprivation and Employment in Thornton Heath IMD 2025

The 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation places Thornton Heath 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
4/10
Income
3/10
Employment
4/10
Education
5/10
Health
5/10
Housing
4/10
Living Environment
3/10
Children 0-15 21%
Working age 68%
Older 65+ 11%
10,356 Children (0-15) 21%
33,495 Working Age 68%
5,771 Older (65+) 12%
Below Average Child Poverty (IDACI) 52.6% of children in income-deprived families
Average Older Person Poverty (IDAOPI) 28.1% 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 Thornton Heath 2,414 crimes · May 2026

High Crime Area

Reported crime in Thornton Heath is above the national average when measured per capita. Violence & sexual offences dominates the figures, a trend mirrored in many urban centres. Local policing teams work actively in the area, and community initiatives continue to address key concerns.

Violence & Sexual Offences 757
Anti-Social Behaviour 508
Shoplifting 245
Vehicle Crime 234
Other Theft 149
Public Order 142
Drugs 141
Burglary 70
Robbery 61
Theft from Person 47
Other Crime 26
Weapons 15
Bicycle Theft 10
Criminal Damage & Arson 9
Local Policing
Metropolitan Bensham Manor 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

Thornton Heath Train Station 0.5 miles
Norbury Train Station 0.8 miles
Selhurst Train Station 1.1 miles
West Croydon Train Station 1.5 miles
Norwood Junction Train Station 1.5 miles
Streatham Common Train Station 1.7 miles

Location

Local Government

District Croydon
Ward West Thornton
Constituency Croydon North
Parish Croydon, unparished area
Region London

Home Ownership in Thornton Heath

Of the 18,457 households in and around Thornton Heath, 53% are owned, 16% are socially rented and 31% are privately rented. Home ownership here is lower than the England and Wales average of 63%.

Owned 53% Social rented 16% Private rented 31%

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

Frequently Asked Questions about Thornton Heath

What is the population of Thornton Heath?
Thornton Heath has a population of approximately 49,617 residents, based on the latest census figures for the surrounding postcode area.
What is the average house price in Thornton Heath?
The average property in and around Thornton Heath sold for about £396,412, based on HM Land Registry Price Paid records. That is around 14% above the England and Wales average of £349,091.
Is Thornton Heath a deprived area?
Thornton Heath sits around the national average for deprivation, with an Index of Multiple Deprivation decile of 4 out of 10, where 1 is the most deprived and 10 the least deprived.
What postcodes cover Thornton Heath?
Thornton Heath is covered by the CR7 postcode district.
How many schools are there in Thornton Heath?
There are 12 schools within easy reach of Thornton Heath, spanning primary, secondary and other phases.
Where is the nearest train station to Thornton Heath?
The nearest railway station to Thornton Heath is Thornton Heath Train Station, about 0.5 miles away.