Cowley on the map

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

65,542
Population
23,767
Households
6 / 10
Deprivation decile
Around average
12
Schools nearby
£56,530
Avg. household income
1,676
Businesses
3,009
People per km²
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About Cowley

Cowley is a suburb located to the east of Oxford, within the county of Oxfordshire. It is primarily a residential area, featuring a mix of housing styles that reflect its development over the years. The suburb is well-connected to the city centre, making it a convenient location for those who work or study in Oxford. Cowley Road is a notable thoroughfare, lined with various shops, cafes, and restaurants catering to a diverse community.

The area is also home to several parks and green spaces, providing residents with opportunities for outdoor activities and relaxation. Cowley has a strong sense of community, with local events and markets held throughout the year. Additionally, the presence of educational institutions, including colleges, contributes to the area's lively atmosphere. Overall, Cowley offers a practical living environment with essential amenities and good transport links.

School Ratings in Cowley

Families in Cowley have access to 99 local schools. Oxfordshire Hospital School and The Iffley Academy are each rated Outstanding by Ofsted. A further 19 schools hold a Good rating.

House Prices in Cowley

Homes sell for an average of £657K locally. Most of the housing is made up of terraced houses, averaging £439K.

Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour in Cowley

Crime in the area is higher than the national average. Shoplifting is the leading concern across Cowley, with 85 incidents recorded in May 2026.

Deprivation and Employment in Cowley

The 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation places Cowley 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 Cowley

There are 24 GP surgeries within three miles of Cowley, the nearest being Temple Cowley Health Centre (0.6 miles away).

Local Data for Cowley

Dig deeper into the area around Cowley 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 4,862 sales

Average Price £657K
£100 , £414.11M
Detached £685K 242
Semi £447K 1,451
Terraced £439K 2,065
Flat £261K 892

Schools & Education 12 nearby View all schools

48 Primary
8 Secondary
43 Other
Outstanding 2
Good 19
Requires improvement 2
Inadequate 1

Ofsted ratings for schools in the OX4 postcode area.

St Francis Church of England Primary School Primary 0.2 miles Tyndale Community School Primary Good 0.5 miles Kings Education (Oxford) Not applicable Good 0.6 miles Our Lady's Roman Catholic Primary School Primary Good 0.6 miles St Christopher's Church of England School, Cowley Primary Good 0.7 miles Church Cowley St James Church of England Primary School Primary Good 0.9 miles Orchard Meadow Primary School Primary Good 0.9 miles Blackbird Leys Children and Family Centre 1 miles Oxfordshire Hospital School Not applicable Outstanding 1 miles Mabel Prichard School Not applicable 1 miles St John Fisher Catholic Primary School, Littlemore Primary Good 1 miles Slade Nursery School Nursery Outstanding 1 miles

Household Income in Cowley ONS 2023

The average total household income in Cowley is approximately £56,530 a year before tax, in line with the national average of £55,302. After tax and benefits, the average disposable (net) household income is around £42,452. These are modelled estimates from the Office for National Statistics for the financial year ending 2023.

Cowley £56,530
England & Wales avg. £55,302

Net (after tax) household income averages £42,452.

Businesses in Cowley ONS 2025

There are approximately 1,676 active businesses based in Cowley, around 26 for every 1,000 residents. The local economy is dominated by small firms: about 83% are micro-businesses employing fewer than 10 people, while 53 are larger employers with 50 or more staff. Figures are from the Office for National Statistics UK Business Counts.

1,676 Total businesses
26 Per 1,000 residents
Micro, 0-9 83%
Small, 10-49 13%
Medium, 50-249 2%
Large, 250+ 2%

Deprivation and Employment in Cowley IMD 2025

Deprivation levels in Cowley 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
6/10
Education
4/10
Health
6/10
Housing
5/10
Living Environment
6/10
Children 0-15 17%
Working age 72%
Older 65+ 11%
11,114 Children (0-15) 17%
47,246 Working Age 72%
7,171 Older (65+) 11%
Average Child Poverty (IDACI) 34.1% of children in income-deprived families
Average Older Person Poverty (IDAOPI) 22% 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 Cowley 674 crimes · May 2026

High Crime Area

Crime figures for Cowley 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 269
Shoplifting 85
Anti-Social Behaviour 69
Public Order 56
Criminal Damage & Arson 50
Other Theft 45
Drugs 28
Bicycle Theft 27
Burglary 13
Vehicle Crime 13
Robbery 8
Other Crime 6
Weapons 3
Theft from Person 2
Local Policing
Thames Valley Oxford Cowley 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

Radley Train Station 4.1 miles
Culham Train Station 5.9 miles
Islip Train Station 6.4 miles
Appleford Train Station 7.9 miles
Didcot Parkway Train Station 8.9 miles
Hanborough Train Station 9.7 miles

Location

Nearby Towns & Villages 12 found

Temple Cowley 0.6 miles Blackbird Leys 0.6 miles Horspath 1.2 miles New Headington 1.2 miles Rose Hill 1.4 miles Blenheim 1.4 miles Headington Hill 1.8 miles Littlemore 1.8 miles Blenheim 1.8 miles Risinghurst 1.9 miles Barton 1.9 miles Iffley 2 miles

Local Government

District Oxford
County Oxfordshire
Ward Littlemore
Constituency Oxford East
Parish Littlemore
Region South East

Home Ownership in Cowley

Of the 23,743 households in and around Cowley, 45% are owned, 24% are socially rented and 31% are privately rented. Home ownership here is lower than the England and Wales average of 63%.

Owned 45% Social rented 24% Private rented 31%

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

Frequently Asked Questions about Cowley

What is the population of Cowley?
Cowley has a population of approximately 65,542 residents, based on the latest census figures for the surrounding postcode area.
What is the average house price in Cowley?
The average property in and around Cowley sold for about £656,853, based on HM Land Registry Price Paid records. That is around 88% above the England and Wales average of £349,091.
Is Cowley a deprived area?
Cowley 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 Cowley?
Cowley is covered by the OX4 postcode district.
How many schools are there in Cowley?
There are 12 schools within easy reach of Cowley, spanning primary, secondary and other phases.
Where is the nearest train station to Cowley?
The nearest railway station to Cowley is Radley Train Station, about 4.1 miles away.

Streets in OX4 30 shown View all streets

Abberbury Avenue 1 Abberbury Road 2 Ablett Close 1 Acacia Avenue 3 Addison Crescent 2 Addison Drive 1 Agnes Court 1 Alec Issigonis Way 3 Alhambra Lane 1 Alice Smith Square 3 Allin Close 1 Alma Lane 1 Alma Place 1 Ambassador Avenue 2 Amory Close 1 Anemone Close 1 Angelica Close 1 Anne Greenwood Close 4 Annesley Road 2 Annora Close 1 Appletree Close 2 Argyle Street 2 Armstrong Road 6 Ashhurst Way 8 Ashmole Place 2 Aspen Square 1 Asquith Road 5 Aston Street 2 Astrop Lane 1 Aubrey Court 1

Postcodes in OX4 50 shown View all postcodes

OX4 1AA OX4 1AB OX4 1AD OX4 1AE OX4 1AF OX4 1AG OX4 1AH OX4 1AJ OX4 1AP OX4 1AQ OX4 1AR OX4 1AS OX4 1AU OX4 1AW OX4 1AX OX4 1AY OX4 1AZ OX4 1BA OX4 1BD OX4 1BE OX4 1BG OX4 1BH OX4 1BJ OX4 1BN OX4 1BP OX4 1BQ OX4 1BS OX4 1BT OX4 1BU OX4 1BW OX4 1BX OX4 1BY OX4 1BZ OX4 1DA OX4 1DD OX4 1DE OX4 1DF OX4 1DG OX4 1DJ OX4 1DL OX4 1DN OX4 1DQ OX4 1DS OX4 1DT OX4 1DU OX4 1DW OX4 1DX OX4 1DY OX4 1DZ OX4 1EA