Preston on the map

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

299,624
Population
119,470
Households
6 / 10
Deprivation decile
Around average
12
Schools nearby
£48,170
Avg. household income
12,167
Businesses
401
People per km²
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About Preston

Preston is a small village located in Shropshire, England, within the SY4 postcode area. It is situated near the larger town of Shrewsbury, making it easily accessible for those wishing to explore the surrounding countryside. The village features a mix of traditional and modern architecture, with a few local amenities such as a pub and a church that serve the community.

The area around Preston is characterised by its rural landscape, offering opportunities for walking and enjoying the outdoors. Nearby attractions include the River Severn, which flows close to the village, and various walking trails that provide a chance to appreciate the natural beauty of Shropshire. The village serves as a quiet retreat for those looking to escape the busier urban centres, while still being within reach of essential services and attractions.

School Ratings in Preston

There are 43 schools in and around Preston. Condover College Limited and Smallbrook School are each rated Outstanding by Ofsted. A further 9 schools hold a Good rating.

House Prices in Preston

The average property price is £244K, with semi-detached homes making up the majority of the housing stock at around £190K.

Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour in Preston

Recorded crime levels are broadly in line with the national average. Anti-social behaviour is prevalent across Preston, with 237 recorded incidents in April 2026.

Deprivation and Employment in Preston

Preston sits around the middle of the national deprivation scale, according to the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation. Employment levels are broadly typical for the area, sitting close to the national average. Household incomes are broadly in line with the national average.

Healthcare in Preston

There are 19 GP surgeries within three miles of Preston, the nearest being Mental Health And Wellbeing Services (0.7 miles away).

Local Data for Preston

Dig deeper into the area around Preston 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 46,814 sales

Average Price £244K
£100 , £54.4M
Detached £332K 14,248
Semi £190K 15,304
Terraced £132K 11,341
Flat £108K 3,202

Schools & Education 12 nearby View all schools

23 Primary
4 Secondary
16 Other
Outstanding 2
Good 9
Requires improvement 1

Ofsted ratings for schools in the SY4 postcode area.

Mereside Church of England Primary Academy Primary 1 miles St Giles CofE Primary School Primary Good 1 miles Prestfelde School Not applicable 1 miles Belvidere School Secondary 1 miles Belvidere Primary School Primary 1.1 miles Shrewsbury (S) Early Help Family Hub Good 1.3 miles Crowmoor Primary School Primary 1.3 miles Wilfred Owen School CC delivery point Good 1.7 miles Severndale Specialist Academy Not applicable 1.7 miles Wilfred Owen Primary School Primary 1.7 miles Coleham Primary School Primary Outstanding 1.9 miles St Lucia's CofE Primary School & Nursery Primary Good 1.9 miles

Household Income in Preston ONS 2023

The average total household income in Preston is approximately £48,170 a year before tax, 13% below the national average of £55,302. After tax and benefits, the average disposable (net) household income is around £35,745. These are modelled estimates from the Office for National Statistics for the financial year ending 2023.

Preston £48,170
England & Wales avg. £55,302

Net (after tax) household income averages £35,745.

Businesses in Preston ONS 2025

There are approximately 12,167 active businesses based in Preston, around 41 for every 1,000 residents. The local economy is dominated by small firms: about 89% are micro-businesses employing fewer than 10 people, while 237 are larger employers with 50 or more staff. Figures are from the Office for National Statistics UK Business Counts.

12,167 Total businesses
41 Per 1,000 residents
Micro, 0-9 89%
Small, 10-49 9%
Medium, 50-249 2%
Large, 250+ 0%

Deprivation and Employment in Preston IMD 2025

Preston sits around the national average for deprivation according to the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation. Employment and income levels are broadly typical, reflecting a mixed local economy. The area offers a balance of residential and commercial activity common to most parts of England.

Overall Deprivation
6/10
Income
7/10
Employment
7/10
Education
6/10
Health
7/10
Housing
2/10
Living Environment
4/10
Children 0-15 18%
Working age 62%
Older 65+ 20%
54,260 Children (0-15) 18%
187,093 Working Age 62%
58,307 Older (65+) 19%
Average Child Poverty (IDACI) 25% of children in income-deprived families
Average Older Person Poverty (IDAOPI) 11.1% 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 Preston 1,634 crimes · April 2026

Average Crime Area

Reported crime levels in Preston sit broadly in line with national averages for a city of this size. Violence & sexual offences accounts for the largest share of recorded offences. The profile is typical of a well-populated area with a mix of residential and commercial activity.

Violence & Sexual Offences 629
Anti-Social Behaviour 237
Criminal Damage & Arson 131
Other Theft 129
Public Order 106
Shoplifting 104
Vehicle Crime 83
Drugs 53
Burglary 45
Other Crime 43
Weapons 24
Bicycle Theft 21
Robbery 20
Theft from Person 9
Local Policing
West Mercia Shrewsbury Rural East 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 3 stations

Shrewsbury Train Station 2.1 miles
Yorton Train Station 7.7 miles
Wellington (Shropshire) Train Station 7.8 miles

Location

Nearby Towns & Villages 12 found

Emstrey 0.6 miles Berwick Wharf 1.2 miles Uffington 1.2 miles Downton 1.4 miles Sutton 1.4 miles Monkmoor 1.4 miles Betton Strange 1.8 miles Atcham 1.8 miles Castle Fields 1.8 miles Underdale 1.8 miles Spring Gdns 1.8 miles Belle Vue 1.9 miles

Local Government

District Preston
County Lancashire
Ward Fishwick & Frenchwood
Constituency Preston
Parish Preston, unparished area
Region North West

Home Ownership in Preston

Of the 125,852 households in and around Preston, 69% are owned, 13% are socially rented and 18% are privately rented. Home ownership here is higher than the England and Wales average of 63%.

Owned 69% Social rented 13% Private rented 18%

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

Frequently Asked Questions about Preston

What is the population of Preston?
Preston has a population of approximately 299,624 residents, based on the latest census figures for the surrounding postcode area.
What is the average house price in Preston?
The average property in and around Preston sold for about £243,794, based on HM Land Registry Price Paid records. That is around 30% below the England and Wales average of £349,091.
Is Preston a deprived area?
Preston 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 Preston?
Preston is covered by the PR0, PR1, PR11, PR2, PR3, PR4, PR5 postcode districts.
How many schools are there in Preston?
There are 12 schools within easy reach of Preston, spanning primary, secondary and other phases.
Where is the nearest train station to Preston?
The nearest railway station to Preston is Shrewsbury Train Station, about 2.1 miles away.

Streets in Preston 30 shown View all streets

A59 1 Abbey Street 2 Abbey Walk 1 Abbot Meadow 3 Abbotsway 1 Abbott Croft 1 Abbotts Close 1 Aberdeen Close 1 Abingdon Drive 1 Acacia Road 1 Acer Grove 1 Acorn Bank 1 Acorn Close 2 Acre Grove 1 Acreage Close 1 Acrefield 2 Acregate Lane 1 Acresfield Park 1 Adelaide Street 4 Adelphi Place 4 Adelphi Street 1 Admarsh Drive 1 Admiral Way 2 Agnes Street 1 Aiken Court 1 Ailsa Close 1 Ainsdale Drive 3 Ainslie Road 3 Ainspool Lane 2 Ainsworth Fold 1

Postcodes in Preston 50 shown View all postcodes

PR0 2AA PR0 2AD PR0 2AE PR0 2AF PR0 2AG PR0 2AH PR0 2AJ PR0 2AL PR0 2AN PR0 2AP PR0 2AQ PR0 2BP PR0 2GP PR0 2QP PR0 2RP PR0 2SP PR0 2TP PR1 0AA PR1 0AD PR1 0AE PR1 0AG PR1 0AH PR1 0AJ PR1 0AL PR1 0AN PR1 0AP PR1 0AQ PR1 0AR PR1 0AS PR1 0AT PR1 0AU PR1 0AX PR1 0AY PR1 0BA PR1 0BB PR1 0BD PR1 0BE PR1 0BH PR1 0BJ PR1 0BN PR1 0BP PR1 0BQ PR1 0DA PR1 0DQ PR1 0DR PR1 0DS PR1 0DT PR1 0DU PR1 0DX PR1 0DY