Upper Bush on the map

Location in KentUpper Bush sits where the marker shows within the county.

43,051
Population
15,703
Households
5 / 10
Deprivation decile
Around average
12
Schools nearby
£57,580
Avg. household income
1,723
Businesses
1,497
People per km²
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About Upper Bush

Upper Bush is a small village located in Kent, England, within the ME2 postcode area. It is surrounded by the natural beauty of the Kent countryside, offering a peaceful setting for residents and visitors alike. The village is primarily residential, featuring a mix of traditional and modern homes.

Local amenities are limited, but nearby towns provide essential services and shops. The area is well-connected by road, making it accessible for those wishing to explore the surrounding regions. Outdoor enthusiasts may appreciate the nearby walking paths and green spaces, which offer opportunities for leisurely strolls and enjoying the fresh air. Upper Bush presents a simple, rural lifestyle, appealing to those seeking a quieter pace away from urban centres.

School Ratings in Upper Bush

Families in Upper Bush have access to 133 local schools. Bligh Children's Centre and Abbey Court Foundation Special School are each rated Outstanding by Ofsted. A further 14 schools hold a Good rating.

House Prices in Upper Bush

Homes sell for an average of £310K locally. Most of the housing is made up of terraced houses, averaging £261K.

Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour in Upper Bush

Crime in the area is higher than the national average. Anti-social behaviour is the leading concern across Upper Bush, with 106 incidents recorded in April 2026.

Deprivation and Employment in Upper Bush

The 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation places Upper Bush 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 Upper Bush

There are 10 GP surgeries within three miles of Upper Bush, the nearest being Riverside Medical Practice (1.7 miles away).

Local Data for Upper Bush

Dig deeper into the area around Upper Bush 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 5,619 sales

Average Price £310K
£100 , £12.5M
Detached £484K 650
Semi £328K 1,845
Terraced £261K 2,229
Flat £183K 579

Schools & Education 12 nearby View all schools

74 Primary
18 Secondary
41 Other
Outstanding 2
Good 14

Ofsted ratings for schools in the ME2 postcode area.

Cuxton Community Junior School Primary Good 0.9 miles Cuxton Community Infant School Primary 0.9 miles Cobham Hall Not applicable 1.7 miles Medway Green School Not applicable Outstanding 1.8 miles Cobham Primary School Primary Outstanding 1.8 miles Bligh Children's Centre Outstanding 2 miles Bligh Primary School (Juniors) Primary Good 2 miles Bligh Primary School (Infants) Primary 2 miles Halling Primary School Primary Good 2 miles The Pilgrim School (A Church of England Primary With Nursery) Primary 2.1 miles Leigh Academy Strood Secondary Good 2.2 miles Cedar Children's Academy Primary Good 2.3 miles

Household Income in Upper Bush ONS 2023

The average total household income in Upper Bush is approximately £57,580 a year before tax, 4% above the national average of £55,302. After tax and benefits, the average disposable (net) household income is around £41,482. These are modelled estimates from the Office for National Statistics for the financial year ending 2023.

Upper Bush £57,580
England & Wales avg. £55,302

Net (after tax) household income averages £41,482.

Businesses in Upper Bush ONS 2025

There are approximately 1,723 active businesses based in Upper Bush, around 40 for every 1,000 residents. The local economy is dominated by small firms: about 87% are micro-businesses employing fewer than 10 people, while 42 are larger employers with 50 or more staff. Figures are from the Office for National Statistics UK Business Counts.

1,723 Total businesses
40 Per 1,000 residents
Micro, 0-9 87%
Small, 10-49 11%
Medium, 50-249 2%
Large, 250+ 0%

Deprivation and Employment in Upper Bush IMD 2025

Deprivation levels in Upper Bush 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
5/10
Income
6/10
Employment
6/10
Education
5/10
Health
6/10
Housing
3/10
Living Environment
6/10
Children 0-15 21%
Working age 63%
Older 65+ 16%
9,072 Children (0-15) 21%
27,104 Working Age 63%
6,876 Older (65+) 16%
Average Child Poverty (IDACI) 29.3% of children in income-deprived families
Average Older Person Poverty (IDAOPI) 16.2% 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 Upper Bush 551 crimes · April 2026

High Crime Area

Crime figures for Upper Bush 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 181
Anti-Social Behaviour 106
Shoplifting 55
Criminal Damage & Arson 50
Other Theft 48
Other Crime 27
Vehicle Crime 21
Public Order 20
Drugs 16
Burglary 14
Robbery 5
Weapons 4
Bicycle Theft 2
Theft from Person 2
Local Policing
Kent Cuxton, Halling and Riverside
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

Cuxton Train Station 1.1 miles
Sole Street Train Station 2.5 miles
Snodland Train Station 3 miles
Strood (Kent) Train Station 3.3 miles
Rochester Train Station 3.3 miles
Halling Train Station 3.4 miles

Location

Nearby Towns & Villages 12 found

Cuxton 0.6 miles Lower Bush 0.6 miles North Halling 0.9 miles Luddesdown 1.2 miles Upper Halling 1.2 miles Halling 1.4 miles New Town 1.4 miles Wouldham 1.8 miles Cobham 1.8 miles Henley Street 2 miles Rochester 2.2 miles Coomb Hill 2.2 miles

Local Government

District Medway
County Kent
Ward Cuxton and Halling
Constituency Rochester and Strood
Parish Cuxton
Region South East

Home Ownership in Upper Bush

Of the 16,812 households in and around Upper Bush, 71% are owned, 13% are socially rented and 16% are privately rented. Home ownership here is higher than the England and Wales average of 63%.

Owned 71% Social rented 13% Private rented 16%

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

Frequently Asked Questions about Upper Bush

What is the population of Upper Bush?
Upper Bush has a population of approximately 43,051 residents, based on the latest census figures for the surrounding postcode area.
What is the average house price in Upper Bush?
The average property in and around Upper Bush sold for about £309,720, based on HM Land Registry Price Paid records. That is around 11% below the England and Wales average of £349,091.
Is Upper Bush a deprived area?
Upper Bush sits around the national average for deprivation, with an Index of Multiple Deprivation decile of 5 out of 10, where 1 is the most deprived and 10 the least deprived.
What postcodes cover Upper Bush?
Upper Bush is covered by the ME2 postcode district.
How many schools are there in Upper Bush?
There are 12 schools within easy reach of Upper Bush, spanning primary, secondary and other phases.
Where is the nearest train station to Upper Bush?
The nearest railway station to Upper Bush is Cuxton Train Station, about 1.1 miles away.

Streets in ME2 30 shown View all streets

A2 5 Abbey Road 3 Admiralty Road 2 Admiralty Terrace 3 Albatross Avenue 9 Albert Place 1 Allington Drive 7 Alma Place 1 Anderson Close 1 Anthonys Way 1 Antonys Way 1 Arnolde Close 1 Ash Road 1 Ashby Close 1 Ashenden Close 1 Aspdin Close 1 Ballard Business Park 1 Bangor Road 1 Banks Road 2 Banning Street 1 Barn Meadow 1 Barton Road 1 Bavins Court 1 Beaufort Road 1 Beech Road 3 Benedict Close 1 Benenden Road 2 Berber Road 2 Bill Street Road 3 Bingham Road 2

Postcodes in ME2 50 shown View all postcodes

ME2 1AA ME2 1AB ME2 1AD ME2 1AE ME2 1AF ME2 1AG ME2 1AH ME2 1AJ ME2 1AN ME2 1AP ME2 1AQ ME2 1AR ME2 1AT ME2 1AU ME2 1AX ME2 1AY ME2 1BA ME2 1BB ME2 1BD ME2 1BE ME2 1BF ME2 1BG ME2 1BH ME2 1BJ ME2 1BN ME2 1BP ME2 1BQ ME2 1BS ME2 1BT ME2 1BW ME2 1BX ME2 1BY ME2 1BZ ME2 1DA ME2 1DB ME2 1DD ME2 1DE ME2 1DF ME2 1DG ME2 1DH ME2 1DJ ME2 1DL ME2 1DN ME2 1DP ME2 1DR ME2 1DS ME2 1DT ME2 1DU ME2 1DX ME2 1DY