Harpenden on the map

Harpenden built-up area

Built-up area9.2 km² (3.6 sq mi)

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

30,579
Population
11,672
Households
9 / 10
Deprivation decile
Among least deprived
91
Schools nearby
£89,743
Avg. household income
1,971
Businesses
1,337
People per km²

About Harpenden

Harpenden is a town located in Hertfordshire, England, with the postcode area AL5. It lies approximately five miles south of Luton and around 30 miles north of London. The town is well-connected, with a railway station providing regular services to London St Pancras, making it a convenient location for commuters. Harpenden features a mix of residential areas, shops, and local amenities, catering to the needs of its residents and visitors.

The town is surrounded by green spaces, including parks and recreational areas, which offer opportunities for outdoor activities. Harpenden also hosts a variety of events throughout the year, fostering a sense of community among its inhabitants. The local high street features an array of shops, cafes, and restaurants, providing options for dining and leisure. Overall, Harpenden presents a balanced lifestyle with access to both urban and rural experiences.

School Ratings in Harpenden

Families in Harpenden have access to 91 local schools. Batford Nursery School, The Grove Infant and Nursery School, Roundwood Park School and Sir John Lawes School are each rated Outstanding by Ofsted. A further 7 schools hold a Good rating.

House Prices in Harpenden

Homes sell for an average of £893K locally. Most of the housing is made up of detached homes, averaging £1.3M.

Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour in Harpenden

Crime in the area is broadly in line with the national average. Anti-social behaviour is the leading concern across Harpenden, with 40 incidents recorded in July 2026.

Deprivation and Employment in Harpenden

The 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation places Harpenden among the least deprived neighbourhoods in England. Working-age employment in the area is well above the national average. Residents in the area generally earn above the national average.

Healthcare in Harpenden

There are 5 GP surgeries within three miles of Harpenden, the nearest being Davenport House Surgery (175 yards away).

Explore Harpenden with our data tools

Free tools that work on any Harpenden postcode, from house prices and council tax bands to schools and local services.

How high is Harpenden? Elevation above sea level by postcode How crowded is Harpenden? People per square kilometre Food hygiene ratings in Harpenden Scores for cafes, takeaways and shops Compare Harpenden with anywhere Put two areas head to head House prices in Harpenden Recent sold prices and local trends What you can afford in Harpenden Match a budget to what actually sells here

Property Prices 4,248 sales

Average Price £893K
£1K , £17.66M
Detached £1.35M 1,401
Semi £825K 1,125
Terraced £616K 667
Flat £422K 908

Schools & Education 91 within 5 miles View all schools

51 Primary
12 Secondary
28 Other
Outstanding 8
Good 7

Ofsted ratings for schools in the AL5 postcode area.

Harpenden Academy Primary Good 0.1 miles St Nicholas CofE VA Primary School Primary Good 0.2 miles St George's School Secondary 0.3 miles St Hilda's School Not applicable 0.4 miles St Dominic Catholic Primary School Primary 0.5 miles Manland Primary School Primary Good 0.5 miles Sir John Lawes School Secondary Outstanding 0.5 miles Crabtree Infants' School Primary Outstanding 0.6 miles Crabtree Junior School Primary Outstanding 0.6 miles Roundwood Primary School Primary Good 0.7 miles Roundwood Park School Secondary Outstanding 0.8 miles High Beeches Primary School Primary Outstanding 0.8 miles

Household Income in Harpenden ONS 2023

The average total household income in Harpenden is approximately £89,743 a year before tax, 62% above the national average of £55,302. After tax and benefits, the average disposable (net) household income is around £62,535. These are modelled estimates from the Office for National Statistics for the financial year ending 2023.

Harpenden £89,743
England & Wales avg. £55,302

Net (after tax) household income averages £62,535.

Businesses in Harpenden ONS 2025

There are approximately 1,971 active businesses based in Harpenden, around 64 for every 1,000 residents. The local economy is dominated by small firms: about 93% are micro-businesses employing fewer than 10 people, while 16 are larger employers with 50 or more staff. Figures are from the Office for National Statistics UK Business Counts.

1,971 Total businesses
64 Per 1,000 residents
Micro, 0-9 93%
Small, 10-49 6%
Medium, 50-249 1%
Large, 250+ 0%

Deprivation and Employment in Harpenden IMD 2025

According to the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation, Harpenden 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
9/10
Income
9/10
Employment
9/10
Education
10/10
Health
9/10
Housing
8/10
Living Environment
7/10
Children 0-15 24%
Working age 58%
Older 65+ 18%
7,298 Children (0-15) 24%
17,886 Working Age 58%
5,402 Older (65+) 18%
Above Average Child Poverty (IDACI) 9.6% of children in income-deprived families
Above Average Older Person Poverty (IDAOPI) 6.7% 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 Harpenden 152 crimes · July 2026

Average Crime Area

Crime in Harpenden is around the national average, with violence & sexual offences representing the most common offence type. These figures are characteristic of a town with an active centre and diverse population, and are neither unusually high nor particularly low.

Violence & Sexual Offences 47
Anti-Social Behaviour 40
Other Theft 15
Shoplifting 12
Public Order 9
Vehicle Crime 9
Criminal Damage & Arson 7
Burglary 6
Bicycle Theft 2
Drugs 2
Other Crime 2
Weapons 1
Local Policing
Hertfordshire Harpenden and Rural 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

Harpenden Train Station 0.2 miles
Luton Airport Parkway Train Station 4.2 miles
St Albans City Train Station 4.7 miles
St Albans Abbey Train Station 5 miles
Luton Train Station 5.2 miles
Welwyn Garden City Train Station 6.5 miles

Location

Nearby Towns & Villages 12 found

Harpenden Common 0.6 miles Batford 0.9 miles Hatching Green 1.2 miles Lea Valley 1.4 miles Mackerye End 1.4 miles Bower Heath 1.4 miles Cold Harbour 1.4 miles Ayres End 1.8 miles The Folly 1.9 miles Leasey Bridge 1.9 miles Marshalls Heath 2 miles Amwell 2 miles

Local Government

District St Albans
County Hertfordshire
Ward Sandridge & Wheathampstead
Constituency Hitchin and Harpenden
Parish Wheathampstead
Region East of England

Home Ownership in Harpenden

Of the 11,752 households in and around Harpenden, 78% are owned, 8% are socially rented and 14% are privately rented. Home ownership here is higher than the England and Wales average of 63%.

Owned 78% Social rented 8% Private rented 14%

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

Frequently Asked Questions about Harpenden

What is the population of Harpenden?
Harpenden has a population of approximately 30,579 residents, based on the latest census figures for the surrounding postcode area.
What is the average house price in Harpenden?
The average property in and around Harpenden sold for about £893,236, based on HM Land Registry Price Paid records. That is around 156% above the England and Wales average of £349,091.
Is Harpenden a deprived area?
Harpenden sits among the least deprived areas in England, with an Index of Multiple Deprivation decile of 9 out of 10, where 1 is the most deprived and 10 the least deprived.
What postcodes cover Harpenden?
Harpenden is covered by the AL5 postcode district.
How many schools are there in Harpenden?
There are 91 schools within 5 miles of Harpenden, spanning primary, secondary and other phases.
Where is the nearest train station to Harpenden?
The nearest railway station to Harpenden is Harpenden Train Station, about 0.2 miles away.

Streets in AL5 30 shown View all streets

Acacia Walk 1 Alders End Lane 1 Aldwick Road 1 Aldwickbury Crescent 7 Altwood 1 Alzey Gardens 3 Amberley Close 1 Ambrose Lane 7 Amenbury Lane 9 Ancaster Close 1 Annables Lane 7 Aplins Close 3 Applewood Close 1 Arcadian Court 1 Arden Grove 2 Ashcroft Close 1 Ashley Gardens 2 Ashwell Park 1 Avenue St Nicholas 3 Ayres End Lane 2 Aysgarth Close 1 Balfour Court 3 Bamville Wood 1 Barley Rise 1 Barlings Road 5 Barnfield Court 1 Barnfield Road 4 Barns Dene 2 Barrons Row 1 Barton Close 1

Postcodes in AL5 50 shown View all postcodes

AL5 1AA AL5 1AB AL5 1AD AL5 1AF AL5 1AG AL5 1AJ AL5 1AL AL5 1AN AL5 1AP AL5 1AQ AL5 1AS AL5 1AU AL5 1AW AL5 1AX AL5 1AY AL5 1BA AL5 1BB AL5 1BD AL5 1BE AL5 1BG AL5 1BH AL5 1BJ AL5 1BL AL5 1BN AL5 1BP AL5 1BQ AL5 1BS AL5 1BT AL5 1BU AL5 1BW AL5 1BX AL5 1BY AL5 1BZ AL5 1DA AL5 1DB AL5 1DD AL5 1DE AL5 1DF AL5 1DG AL5 1DH AL5 1DJ AL5 1DL AL5 1DN AL5 1DP AL5 1DQ AL5 1DR AL5 1DT AL5 1DW AL5 1DY AL5 1DZ