Town Pop. 29,212

Living in Barnstaple: Liveability Score 47/100

Last updated 7 August 2026

Our overall score for Barnstaple is 47/100, built from 9 categories. Measured against other towns, healthcare stands out most: 55/100 where the typical UK town scores 18/100. The biggest shortfall against other towns is safety: 36/100 versus a median of 88/100.

That makes it the 2nd highest-scoring of the 6 places in the EX31 postcode district. The EX31 district averages 39/100, putting Barnstaple 8 points above its own postcode area. On healthcare specifically, Barnstaple sits 21 points above the EX31 district figure of 34/100. For the surrounding area, see EX31 postcode district.

47
OUT OF 100
Below Avg
Score for:

Settlement area

The built-up area boundary and the postcodes its score is averaged from, each shaded by its own score. Clustered pins are other settlements. Tap one to view or compare it, or zoom in to reveal more.

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Each postcode is coloured by its own overall score on the default weighting. Scores are filled in as postcodes get searched on the site, so a blue dot just means that postcode hasn't been scored yet.

Barnstaple scores 47 but individual postcodes tell the full story

See the exact score for any postcode, side by side with Barnstaple.
Or compare:
EX31 1AB EX31 2AG EX31 3AA EX31 4AA EX31 EX32 EX37

Score breakdown

Safety & Environment

Safety
36
130.1 crimes per 1,000 residents · last 12 months Above the England & Wales average of 94.3
Crime rate vs national average · last 12 months
Violence and sexual offences 1,471 crimes
↑ 51% above national average
Anti-social behaviour 566 crimes
↑ 28% above national average
Shoplifting 521 crimes
↑ 128% above national average
Criminal damage and arson 297 crimes
↑ 50% above national average
Public order 277 crimes
↑ 46% above national average
other 669 crimes
Highest-crime locations
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  1. 1 Shopping Area 350 crimes
  2. 2 Supermarket 177 crimes
  3. 3 Parking Area 134 crimes

Source: data.police.uk · England & Wales only

Environment
64
Air Quality NO₂ 4.5 · PM2.5 4.9 · PM10 8.8 µg/m³
80
Green Space 25
Parks Ample 12
Sports Pitches Ample 5
Allotments Ample 5
Golf Courses Some 1
Tennis Courts Ample 11
Bowling Greens Adequate 3
Playgrounds Ample 27

Services

Schools
42
Top 10 by Ofsted rating · 16 in area · 18 within 4km
10Good1Requires Improvement5Ungraded
  • Ashleigh CofE Primary SchoolPrimary · inspected 2022
    Good
  • Bishops Tawton Primary SchoolPrimary · inspected 2022
    Good
  • Orchard Vale Community SchoolPrimary · inspected 2023
    Good
  • Pathfield SchoolSpecial · inspected 2024
    Good
  • Pilton Bluecoat Church of England AcademyPrimary · inspected 2023
    Good
  • Pilton Community CollegeSecondary · inspected 2023
    Good
  • Roundswell Community Primary AcademyPrimary · inspected 2023
    Good
  • Sticklepath Community Primary AcademyPrimary · inspected 2022
    Good
  • The Lampard Community SchoolSpecial · inspected 2023
    Good
  • Yeo Valley Primary SchoolPrimary · inspected 2023
    Good

Ungraded: inspected, but Ofsted no longer issues a single overall grade (since Sept 2024).

Score reflects proximity-weighted access to rated schools within 4km: areas with more nearby schools score higher regardless of settlement boundary.

Healthcare
55
A&E departmentsNorth Devon District Hospitalin area
Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital (Wonford)33.2 mi
Musgrove Park Hospital39.5 mi
Hospital waitsRoyal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust0.1 mi
Routine referral (median)12 wks
Treated within 18 weeks62.7%
A&E seen within 4 hrs70.6%
3 GP surgeries in area best 'Outstanding'
GP capacity1,864 patients per GP
14dentists6pharmacies

Score reflects proximity to CQC-rated GP surgeries and hospitals, not facility count. Dentists and pharmacies are shown for context but don't affect the score.

Broadband
76
Full fibre (FTTP)66.2%
available across North Devon
Gigabit-capable · incl. cable
93.3%
Ultrafast (300+ Mbps)
93.3%
Superfast (30+ Mbps)
99.4%
Ofcom Connected Nations · 763 postcodes · full fibre at local-authority level

Economy & Bills

Economic Health
43
Employment rate56.7%
Below the Great Britain average of 57.3% of residents aged 16+
Economic activity (16+)
Employed56.7%Unemployed2.4%Retired26.3%Student3.1%Other inactive11.5%
Occupation mix
Professional & managerial31.2%Skilled & technical34.8%Routine & elementary34.1%
Highest qualification (16+)
No qualifications19%Level 1 (1–4 GCSEs)11.5%Level 2 (5+ GCSEs)15.9%Level 3 (A levels)17.9%Level 4+ (degree & above)26.6%Apprenticeship6.8%Other (incl. vocational)2.5%
Home ownership62.6%
Around the England average for deprivation
Census 2021/22 (Great Britain) · deprivation: IoD 2025 / SIMD
Bills
28
Council tax North Devon · 2026-27
A £1,761
B £2,055
C £2,348
D £2,642
E £3,229
F £3,816
G £4,403
H £5,284
Energy South West England region
Typical bill regional £1,641/yr
Ofgem price cap, GB average · Apr–Jun 2026
Typical home efficiency local EPC band D
Water South West Water
Average bill regional £600/yr
Combined water & sewerage · GB average £520

Transport

Transport
26
Barnstaple 0.2 mi
Chapelton 4.5 mi
Umberleigh 6.5 mi
No motorway junctions within 30 mi

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
54
Pubs & Bars Ample 26
Restaurants & Cafes Ample 37
Supermarkets & Convenience Ample 23
Retail Shopping Ample 235
Takeaways Ample 21
Fitness Adequate 4

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House Prices

Current median sale prices · last 12 months · England & Wales only

Type Median price Sales
All dwellings £260,000 241
Detached £345,000 79
Semi-detached £277,750 50
Terraced £212,500 80
Flat / Maisonette £159,750 32
5-year monthly trend
All Detached Semi Terraced Flat
£114k £224k £336k £446k 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026

Source: HM Land Registry Price Paid Data (OGL v3.0)

Nearby places

Bickington 52 1.6 mi away ⇄
Bishop's Tawton 40 1.6 mi away ⇄
Westacott 53 1.7 mi away ⇄
Ashford (North Devon) 38 2.1 mi away ⇄
Landkey 42 2.7 mi away ⇄
Goodleigh 38 2.8 mi away ⇄
Fremington 43 3.4 mi away ⇄
Chivenor and Wrafton 39 3.9 mi away ⇄
Swimbridge 45 4.3 mi away ⇄
Braunton 45 4.9 mi away ⇄
Instow 38 5.3 mi away ⇄
Appledore (Torridge) 43 6.1 mi away ⇄

Frequently asked questions

Is Barnstaple a nice place to live?

Barnstaple has some challenges compared to many UK areas. Our liveability score for Barnstaple is 47/100, placing it among a below-average areas in the UK across nine categories: safety, schools, healthcare, environment, transport, broadband, lifestyle, economic health, and bills.

How safe is Barnstaple?

Barnstaple has above-average crime levels. Our safety score is 36/100. There were 3,801 crimes recorded in the area over the past 12 months.

What are the best schools in Barnstaple?

Among the top-rated schools in Barnstaple are Ashleigh CofE Primary School, Bishops Tawton Primary School and Orchard Vale Community School, rated Good by Ofsted. There are 16 rated schools in Barnstaple in total.

What are house prices like in Barnstaple?

The current median house price in Barnstaple is £260,000, around 9% below the England and Wales average. By property type: detached £345,000, semi-detached £277,750, terraced £212,500, flat £159,750. Over the past five years, prices have risen by around 10%. There were 241 sales recorded in the past 12 months.

Barnstaple in context

See where Barnstaple ranks among the best places to live in Devon

Postcode districts in Barnstaple

EX31 39 ⇄
EX32 42 ⇄
EX37 27 ⇄

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