Purwell on the map

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

29,241
Population
12,242
Households
8 / 10
Deprivation decile
Among least deprived
12
Schools nearby
£69,345
Avg. household income
1,423
Businesses
293
People per km²
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About Purwell

Purwell is a small village located in Hertfordshire, England, within the SG4 postcode area. It lies just to the north of the town of Hitchin, providing easy access to local amenities and services. The village features a mix of residential properties and green spaces, making it a pleasant area for those who enjoy a quieter lifestyle while still being close to larger urban centres.

The surrounding countryside offers opportunities for walking and outdoor activities, with several footpaths and trails nearby. Purwell is also well-connected by road and public transport, allowing for convenient travel to neighbouring towns and cities. The community is primarily residential, with a few local shops and services catering to the needs of residents. Overall, Purwell presents a simple and functional living environment in the Hertfordshire region.

School Ratings in Purwell

There are 100 schools in and around Purwell. 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 Purwell

The average property price is £528K, with semi-detached homes making up the majority of the housing stock at around £517K.

Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour in Purwell

Recorded crime levels are lower than the national average. Anti-social behaviour is prevalent across Purwell, with 10 recorded incidents in April 2026.

Deprivation and Employment in Purwell

According to the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation, Purwell ranks among the least deprived areas in England. Employment levels are strong, with low rates of working-age exclusion from the labour market. Household incomes are generally above the national average.

Healthcare in Purwell

There are 16 GP surgeries within three miles of Purwell, the nearest being Ramsay Pinehill Hospital (0.6 miles away).

Local Data for Purwell

Dig deeper into the area around Purwell 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 4,024 sales

Average Price £528K
£500 , £18.64M
Detached £840K 906
Semi £517K 1,155
Terraced £387K 983
Flat £240K 800

Schools & Education 12 nearby View all schools

59 Primary
13 Secondary
28 Other
Outstanding 2
Good 10

Ofsted ratings for schools in the SG4 postcode area.

Purwell Primary School Primary 0.2 miles Mary Exton Primary School Primary Good 0.3 miles William Ransom Primary School Primary 0.5 miles Highover Junior Mixed and Infant School Primary 0.6 miles St Andrew's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Hitchin Primary Outstanding 0.7 miles Kingshott School Not applicable 0.9 miles Hitchin Girls' School Secondary 0.9 miles Whitehill Junior School Primary Good 1 miles Highbury Infant School and Nursery Primary Good 1.1 miles North Herts Education Support Centre Not applicable 1.2 miles NH8 Bluebell Family Centre Outstanding 1.2 miles Wymondley Junior Mixed and Infant School Primary 1.2 miles

Household Income in Purwell ONS 2023

The average total household income in Purwell is approximately £69,345 a year before tax, 25% above the national average of £55,302. After tax and benefits, the average disposable (net) household income is around £49,930. These are modelled estimates from the Office for National Statistics for the financial year ending 2023.

Purwell £69,345
England & Wales avg. £55,302

Net (after tax) household income averages £49,930.

Businesses in Purwell ONS 2025

There are approximately 1,423 active businesses based in Purwell, around 49 for every 1,000 residents. The local economy is dominated by small firms: about 92% are micro-businesses employing fewer than 10 people, while 12 are larger employers with 50 or more staff. Figures are from the Office for National Statistics UK Business Counts.

1,423 Total businesses
49 Per 1,000 residents
Micro, 0-9 92%
Small, 10-49 7%
Medium, 50-249 1%
Large, 250+ 0%

Deprivation and Employment in Purwell IMD 2025

Purwell is one of the least deprived areas in England according to the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation. Employment opportunities are widely accessible and household incomes tend to sit comfortably above the national average. The area benefits from strong local services and a settled, established community.

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%
5,703 Children (0-15) 20%
17,927 Working Age 61%
5,603 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 Purwell 59 crimes · April 2026

Low Crime Area

Purwell records relatively low levels of reported crime compared to national averages. Violence & sexual offences is the most commonly logged offence type, though overall numbers remain modest. The area is generally considered a safe and settled town with a strong sense of community.

Violence & Sexual Offences 19
Anti-Social Behaviour 10
Criminal Damage & Arson 9
Other Theft 6
Burglary 4
Public Order 4
Vehicle Crime 3
Other Crime 2
Weapons 1
Shoplifting 1
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 0.7 miles
Letchworth Garden City Train Station 2.2 miles
Stevenage Train Station 3.8 miles
Baldock Train Station 3.8 miles
Arlesey Train Station 5.2 miles
Knebworth Train Station 6.4 miles

Location

Nearby Towns & Villages 12 found

Oakfield 0.9 miles Walsworth 0.9 miles Hitchin 0.9 miles Great Wymondley 0.9 miles Willian 1.4 miles Hitchin Hill 1.4 miles Little Wymondley 1.4 miles Wymondley Bury 1.4 miles St Ippolyts 1.4 miles Ickleford 1.8 miles Gosmore 1.8 miles Westmill 2 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 Purwell

Of the 12,281 households in and around Purwell, 70% are owned, 14% are socially rented and 16% are privately rented. Home ownership here is higher than the England and Wales average of 63%.

Owned 70% Social rented 14% Private rented 16%

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

Frequently Asked Questions about Purwell

What is the population of Purwell?
Purwell has a population of approximately 29,241 residents, based on the latest census figures for the surrounding postcode area.
What is the average house price in Purwell?
The average property in and around Purwell sold for about £527,661, based on HM Land Registry Price Paid records. That is around 51% above the England and Wales average of £349,091.
Is Purwell a deprived area?
Purwell 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 Purwell?
Purwell is covered by the SG4 postcode district.
How many schools are there in Purwell?
There are 12 schools within easy reach of Purwell, spanning primary, secondary and other phases.
Where is the nearest train station to Purwell?
The nearest railway station to Purwell is Hitchin Train Station, about 0.7 miles away.

Streets in SG4 30 shown View all streets

Acre Piece 1 Allwoods Place 1 Alpine Close 1 Arch Road 4 Armour Rise 1 Arnold Close 1 Ash Drive 1 Ashbrook Lane 1 Ashwell Close 1 Ashwell Common 1 Aston Rise 1 B197 3 Back Lane 4 Baileys Close 1 Baker's Lane 1 Ballslough Hill 1 Barleybeans Road 1 Bell Close 1 Benchley Hill 3 Bendish Lane 4 Benslow Lane 6 Benslow Rise 2 Bentick Way 1 Bibbs Hall Lane 1 Bilton Road 1 Blackhorse Lane 2 Bladon Close 1 Blakemore End Road 2 Bowmans Avenue 1 Bradleys Corner 2

Postcodes in SG4 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