Hitchin on the map

Hitchin built-up area

Built-up area8.3 km² (3.2 sq mi)

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

99,115
Population
39,654
Households
8 / 10
Deprivation decile
Among least deprived
12
Schools nearby
£67,789
Avg. household income
4,770
Businesses
505
People per km²
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About Hitchin

Hitchin is a market town located in Hertfordshire, England, with the postcode area SG4. It has a long-standing tradition as a market town, with its market dating back to the 12th century. The town centre features a variety of shops, cafes, and restaurants, making it a convenient place for both residents and visitors. Hitchin is also home to several historical buildings, including St. Mary's Church, which dates back to the 14th century.

The town is well-connected, with regular train services to London and other nearby towns. Hitchin offers a selection of parks and green spaces, providing opportunities for outdoor activities and relaxation. The annual Hitchin Festival showcases local talent and community spirit, adding to the town's sense of identity. Overall, Hitchin is a well-equipped town with a mix of modern amenities and historical significance.

School Ratings in Hitchin

Hitchin is served by 84 schools. NH8 Bluebell Family Centre and St Andrew's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Hitchin are each rated Outstanding by Ofsted. A further 10 schools hold a Good rating.

House Prices in Hitchin

Property prices average £477K across the area, and terraced houses are the most common property type, typically selling for £369K.

Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour in Hitchin

Local crime rates sit broadly in line with national averages. Anti-social behaviour accounts for the highest share in Hitchin, with 108 incidents logged in April 2026.

Deprivation and Employment in Hitchin

Hitchin falls within the least deprived areas nationally, based on the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation. The area benefits from strong employment, with few residents involuntarily out of work. Income levels across the area tend to be higher than the national average.

Healthcare in Hitchin

There are 14 GP surgeries within three miles of Hitchin, the nearest being Ramsay Pinehill Hospital (0.7 miles away).

Local Data for Hitchin

Dig deeper into the area around Hitchin 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 13,141 sales

Average Price £477K
£200 , £29.58M
Detached £708K 3,018
Semi £482K 3,358
Terraced £369K 3,406
Flat £239K 2,828

Schools & Education 12 nearby View all schools

53 Primary
11 Secondary
20 Other
Outstanding 2
Good 10

Ofsted ratings for schools in the SG4 postcode area.

Highover Junior Mixed and Infant School Primary 0.4 miles St Andrew's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Hitchin Primary Outstanding 0.7 miles Strathmore Infant and Nursery School Primary Good 0.7 miles Our Lady Catholic Primary School Primary Good 0.7 miles NH7 York Road Family Centre Good 0.7 miles York Road Nursery School Nursery Outstanding 0.7 miles Purwell Primary School Primary 0.8 miles William Ransom Primary School Primary 0.9 miles Hitchin Girls' School Secondary 0.9 miles The Priory School Secondary Good 0.9 miles Wilshere-Dacre Junior Academy Primary Good 0.9 miles Hitchin Boys' School Secondary 0.9 miles

Household Income in Hitchin ONS 2023

The average total household income in Hitchin is approximately £67,789 a year before tax, 23% above the national average of £55,302. After tax and benefits, the average disposable (net) household income is around £48,707. These are modelled estimates from the Office for National Statistics for the financial year ending 2023.

Hitchin £67,789
England & Wales avg. £55,302

Net (after tax) household income averages £48,707.

Businesses in Hitchin ONS 2025

There are approximately 4,770 active businesses based in Hitchin, around 48 for every 1,000 residents. The local economy is dominated by small firms: about 89% are micro-businesses employing fewer than 10 people, while 91 are larger employers with 50 or more staff. Figures are from the Office for National Statistics UK Business Counts.

4,770 Total businesses
48 Per 1,000 residents
Micro, 0-9 89%
Small, 10-49 9%
Medium, 50-249 2%
Large, 250+ 0%

Deprivation and Employment in Hitchin IMD 2025

The 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation ranks Hitchin among the least deprived parts of England. Residents generally enjoy good access to employment and higher than average household incomes. Education and health outcomes in the area also compare favourably with the rest of the country.

Overall Deprivation
8/10
Income
8/10
Employment
8/10
Education
8/10
Health
8/10
Housing
7/10
Living Environment
6/10
Children 0-15 20%
Working age 61%
Older 65+ 19%
19,422 Children (0-15) 20%
60,666 Working Age 61%
19,007 Older (65+) 19%
Above Average Child Poverty (IDACI) 17% of children in income-deprived families
Average Older Person Poverty (IDAOPI) 11.2% 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 Hitchin 441 crimes · April 2026

Average Crime Area

Hitchin 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 town.

Violence & Sexual Offences 155
Anti-Social Behaviour 108
Criminal Damage & Arson 36
Other Theft 31
Shoplifting 24
Public Order 19
Vehicle Crime 17
Burglary 15
Drugs 14
Other Crime 10
Weapons 4
Theft from Person 4
Bicycle Theft 2
Robbery 2
Local Policing
Hertfordshire Hitchin Urban 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

Hitchin Train Station 0.5 miles
Letchworth Garden City Train Station 2 miles
Baldock Train Station 3.9 miles
Arlesey Train Station 4.5 miles
Stevenage Train Station 4.7 miles
Knebworth Train Station 7.2 miles

Location

Nearby Towns & Villages 12 found

Walsworth 0 yards Ickleford 0.9 miles Purwell 0.9 miles Westmill 1.2 miles Oakfield 1.2 miles Hitchin Hill 1.4 miles Lower Green 1.4 miles Cadwell 1.4 miles Letchworth Garden City 1.8 miles Charlton 1.8 miles Snailswell 1.8 miles Great Wymondley 1.8 miles

Local Government

District North Hertfordshire
County Hertfordshire
Ward Hitchin Bearton
Constituency Hitchin and Harpenden
Parish North Hertfordshire, unparished area
Region East of England

Home Ownership in Hitchin

Of the 42,113 households in and around Hitchin, 65% are owned, 20% are socially rented and 14% are privately rented. Home ownership here is in line with the England and Wales average of 63%.

Owned 65% Social rented 20% Private rented 14%

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

Frequently Asked Questions about Hitchin

What is the population of Hitchin?
Hitchin has a population of approximately 99,115 residents, based on the latest census figures for the surrounding postcode area.
What is the average house price in Hitchin?
The average property in and around Hitchin sold for about £477,482, based on HM Land Registry Price Paid records. That is around 37% above the England and Wales average of £349,091.
Is Hitchin a deprived area?
Hitchin 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 Hitchin?
Hitchin is covered by the SG4, SG5, SG6 postcode districts.
How many schools are there in Hitchin?
There are 12 schools within easy reach of Hitchin, spanning primary, secondary and other phases.
Where is the nearest train station to Hitchin?
The nearest railway station to Hitchin is Hitchin Train Station, about 0.5 miles away.

Streets in Hitchin 30 shown View all streets

A505 1 A507 1 Abbis Orchard 1 Abbotts Road 3 Acre Piece 1 Alban Road 1 Alder Green 1 Alexander Road 1 Alexandra Road 1 Alfred Row 1 Alington Lane 2 Allison 1 Allwoods Place 1 Almond Meadow 1 Alpine Close 1 Alternative route 1 Amor Way 2 Angelica Avenue 1 Apsley End Road 4 Arcade 2 Arch Road 4 Archers Way 5 Arden Press Way 5 Arena Parade 1 Arlesey Road 13 Armour Rise 1 Arnold Close 1 Ascot Drive 1 Ash Drive 1 Ashbourne Close 1

Postcodes in Hitchin 50 shown View all postcodes

SG4 0AA SG4 0AB SG4 0AE SG4 0AF SG4 0AG SG4 0AH SG4 0AJ SG4 0AL SG4 0AN SG4 0AP SG4 0AQ SG4 0AS SG4 0AT SG4 0AU SG4 0AW SG4 0AX SG4 0AZ SG4 0BA SG4 0BD SG4 0BE SG4 0BF SG4 0BG SG4 0BH SG4 0BJ SG4 0BL SG4 0BN SG4 0BP SG4 0BQ SG4 0BS SG4 0BT SG4 0BU SG4 0BW SG4 0BX SG4 0BZ SG4 0DA SG4 0DB SG4 0DH SG4 0DL SG4 0DN SG4 0DP SG4 0DR SG4 0DS SG4 0DU SG4 0DW SG4 0EA SG4 0EB SG4 0ED SG4 0EH SG4 0EJ SG4 0EL