Watford on the map

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

106,363
Population
37,980
Households
6 / 10
Deprivation decile
Around average
12
Schools nearby
£64,970
Avg. household income
5,113
Businesses
3,275
People per km²
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About Watford

Watford is a town located in Hertfordshire, England, within the WD17 postcode area. It lies approximately 20 miles northwest of central London and serves as a significant commercial and cultural hub in the region. The town is well-connected by public transport, including the London Underground and various bus services, making it easily accessible for visitors and residents alike.

The town centre features a variety of shops, restaurants, and entertainment options, including the Intu Watford shopping centre, which offers a range of retail outlets. Watford is also home to the Watford Football Club, which has a dedicated following. Additionally, the town has several parks and green spaces, providing opportunities for outdoor activities and relaxation. With its blend of urban amenities and community spirit, Watford is a practical choice for those looking to explore the area.

School Ratings in Watford

Families in Watford have access to 164 local schools. Nascot Wood Junior School and Holy Rood Catholic Primary School are each rated Outstanding by Ofsted. A further 6 schools hold a Good rating.

House Prices in Watford

Homes sell for an average of £500K locally. Most of the housing is made up of flats, averaging £288K.

Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour in Watford

Crime in the area is higher than the national average. Anti-social behaviour is the leading concern across Watford, with 208 incidents recorded in April 2026.

Deprivation and Employment in Watford

The 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation places Watford around the national average for deprivation. Employment rates locally are in line with what is seen across England. Average incomes in the area are typical for England.

Healthcare in Watford

There are 24 GP surgeries within three miles of Watford, the nearest being The Elms Surgery (0.3 miles away).

Local Data for Watford

Dig deeper into the area around Watford 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 11,458 sales

Average Price £500K
£1K , £42.49M
Detached £823K 1,262
Semi £521K 2,968
Terraced £419K 3,164
Flat £288K 3,621

Schools & Education 12 nearby View all schools

87 Primary
20 Secondary
57 Other
Outstanding 2
Good 6
Requires improvement 1

Ofsted ratings for schools in the WD17 postcode area.

Lanchester Primary School Primary Good 0.3 miles West Herts College 16 plus Good 0.4 miles Nascot Wood Infant and Nursery School Primary Good 0.4 miles Nascot Wood Junior School Primary Outstanding 0.5 miles Nisai Virtual Academy Ltd Not applicable Good 0.6 miles Watford St John's Church of England Primary School Primary 0.6 miles W4 Littlebury Family Centre 0.7 miles W3 Beechfield Family Centre 0.8 miles Beechfield School Primary Good 0.8 miles Parkgate Junior School Primary Outstanding 0.8 miles Cassiobury Junior School Primary Good 0.8 miles Chater Junior School Primary 0.8 miles

Household Income in Watford ONS 2023

The average total household income in Watford is approximately £64,970 a year before tax, 17% above the national average of £55,302. After tax and benefits, the average disposable (net) household income is around £46,684. These are modelled estimates from the Office for National Statistics for the financial year ending 2023.

Watford £64,970
England & Wales avg. £55,302

Net (after tax) household income averages £46,684.

Businesses in Watford ONS 2025

There are approximately 5,113 active businesses based in Watford, around 48 for every 1,000 residents. The local economy is dominated by small firms: about 90% are micro-businesses employing fewer than 10 people, while 89 are larger employers with 50 or more staff. Figures are from the Office for National Statistics UK Business Counts.

5,113 Total businesses
48 Per 1,000 residents
Micro, 0-9 90%
Small, 10-49 8%
Medium, 50-249 1%
Large, 250+ 1%

Deprivation and Employment in Watford IMD 2025

Deprivation levels in Watford are around the national average based on the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation. Employment is accessible for most residents and household incomes reflect the broader national picture. The area maintains a steady balance between affordability and quality of life.

Overall Deprivation
6/10
Income
6/10
Employment
7/10
Education
7/10
Health
7/10
Housing
5/10
Living Environment
5/10
Children 0-15 21%
Working age 65%
Older 65+ 14%
22,229 Children (0-15) 21%
69,025 Working Age 65%
15,101 Older (65+) 14%
Average Child Poverty (IDACI) 28.4% of children in income-deprived families
Average Older Person Poverty (IDAOPI) 19.9% 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 Watford 1,044 crimes · April 2026

High Crime Area

Crime figures for Watford are higher than the England and Wales average, with violence & sexual offences the most prevalent offence recorded. Urban density and footfall contribute to elevated reporting in areas like this. Ongoing investment in policing and community safety programmes aims to improve the picture.

Violence & Sexual Offences 312
Anti-Social Behaviour 208
Shoplifting 91
Other Theft 80
Vehicle Crime 77
Public Order 69
Criminal Damage & Arson 68
Drugs 46
Burglary 24
Other Crime 20
Robbery 15
Bicycle Theft 12
Theft from Person 12
Weapons 10
Local Policing
Hertfordshire Watford Outer 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

Watford North Train Station 0.9 miles
Watford High Street Train Station 1 miles
Bushey Train Station 1.6 miles
Garston (Hertfordshire) Train Station 1.8 miles
Carpenders Park Train Station 2.7 miles
Kings Langley Train Station 3.2 miles

Location

Nearby Towns & Villages 12 found

North Watford 0.6 miles West Watford 1.2 miles The Grove 1.4 miles Holywell 1.4 miles Garston 1.4 miles Meriden 1.4 miles Oxhey 1.8 miles The Rookery 1.9 miles Kingswood 1.9 miles Aldenham 2 miles Leavesden Green 2 miles Croxley Green 2.2 miles

Local Government

District Watford
County Hertfordshire
Ward Central
Constituency Watford
Parish Watford, unparished area
Region East of England

Home Ownership in Watford

Of the 41,582 households in and around Watford, 61% are owned, 18% are socially rented and 21% are privately rented. Home ownership here is in line with the England and Wales average of 63%.

Owned 61% Social rented 18% Private rented 21%

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

Frequently Asked Questions about Watford

What is the population of Watford?
Watford has a population of approximately 106,363 residents, based on the latest census figures for the surrounding postcode area.
What is the average house price in Watford?
The average property in and around Watford sold for about £499,980, based on HM Land Registry Price Paid records. That is around 43% above the England and Wales average of £349,091.
Is Watford a deprived area?
Watford sits around the national average for deprivation, with an Index of Multiple Deprivation decile of 6 out of 10, where 1 is the most deprived and 10 the least deprived.
What postcodes cover Watford?
Watford is covered by the WD17, WD19, WD24, WD25, WD99 postcode districts.
How many schools are there in Watford?
There are 12 schools within easy reach of Watford, spanning primary, secondary and other phases.
Where is the nearest train station to Watford?
The nearest railway station to Watford is Watford North Train Station, about 0.9 miles away.

Streets in Watford 30 shown View all streets

A411 4 Acme Road 5 Acorn Place 1 Aerodrome Way 1 Ainsdale Road 3 Albans View 1 Albanwood 1 Albert Road North 3 Albert Road South 2 Aldbury Close 1 Aldenham 20 1 Aldenham Road 2 Alder Walk 1 Alexandra Mews 3 Alexandra Road 5 All Saints Crescent 1 Alma Place 2 Almond Close 1 Altham Gardens 1 Alva Way 3 Amwell Close 1 Anglian Close 6 Anthony Close 2 Anvil Avenue 3 Anvil Mews 1 Appletree Walk 3 Arbroath Green 2 Armand Close 2 Ascot Road 21 Ash Close 1

Postcodes in Watford 50 shown View all postcodes

WD17 1AA WD17 1AB WD17 1AD WD17 1AH WD17 1AP WD17 1AR WD17 1AU WD17 1AW WD17 1AY WD17 1AZ WD17 1BA WD17 1BD WD17 1BH WD17 1BJ WD17 1BN WD17 1BP WD17 1BQ WD17 1BS WD17 1BU WD17 1BW WD17 1BY WD17 1BZ WD17 1DA WD17 1DD WD17 1DE WD17 1DF WD17 1DG WD17 1DH WD17 1DJ WD17 1DL WD17 1DN WD17 1DQ WD17 1DS WD17 1DU WD17 1DY WD17 1EA WD17 1EE WD17 1EG WD17 1EQ WD17 1ES WD17 1ET WD17 1EZ WD17 1GA WD17 1HE WD17 1HP WD17 1HX WD17 1JA WD17 1JJ WD17 1JR WD17 1JT