Town Pop. 45,908

Living in Christchurch (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole): Liveability Score 63/100

Last updated 7 August 2026

Christchurch (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole) comes out at 63/100 on the 9 categories we can score here. Healthcare is where Christchurch (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole) most outperforms the national norm: 57/100 against a median of 18/100 across UK towns. No other settlement in the BH23 postcode district scores higher. Christchurch (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole) leads all 5.

Notably, nothing falls below 46/100. Most UK towns have at least one category in the 30s or worse. That sits 13 points above the UK-wide average of 50, putting it in the top 5% of the towns and villages we score. Safety (83) sits at 80/100 or above. For the surrounding area, see BH23 postcode district.

63
OUT OF 100
Average
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.

Christchurch (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole) scores 63 but individual postcodes tell the full story

See the exact score for any postcode, side by side with Christchurch (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole).
Or compare:
BH23 1AB BH23 2AA BH23 3AA BH23 4AB BH23 5AA BH23 6AA BH23 7AA BH23 8AA BH23

Score breakdown

Safety & Environment

Safety
83
56.5 crimes per 1,000 residents · last 12 months Below the England & Wales average of 94.3
Crime rate vs national average · last 12 months
Violence and sexual offences 889 crimes
↓ 42% below national average
Anti-social behaviour 634 crimes
≈ similar to national average
Criminal damage and arson 204 crimes
↓ 35% below national average
Shoplifting 203 crimes
↓ 44% below national average
Other theft 188 crimes
↓ 34% below national average
other 476 crimes
Highest-crime locations
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  1. 1 Parking Area 197 crimes
  2. 2 Bailey Drive 95 crimes
  3. 3 Supermarket 92 crimes

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

Environment
70
Air Quality NO₂ 6.6 · PM2.5 5.6 · PM10 8.5 µg/m³
77
Green Space 55
Parks Ample 33
Sports Pitches Ample 29
Allotments Adequate 3
Golf Courses Ample 6
Tennis Courts Ample 11
Bowling Greens Adequate 3
Playgrounds Ample 33

Services

Schools
50
Top 10 by Ofsted rating · 18 in area
1Outstanding14Good2Requires Improvement1Ungraded
  • St Katharine's Church of England Primary SchoolPrimary · inspected 2024
    Outstanding
  • Christchurch Junior SchoolPrimary · inspected 2022
    Good
  • Christchurch Learning CentreAlternative provision · inspected 2023
    Good
  • Highcliffe SchoolSecondary · inspected 2023
    Good
  • Mudeford Community Infants' SchoolPrimary · inspected 2024
    Good
  • Mudeford Junior SchoolPrimary · inspected 2023
    Good
  • Somerford Primary SchoolPrimary · inspected 2021
    Good
  • St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, ChristchurchPrimary · inspected 2024
    Good
  • St Peter's Catholic Comprehensive SchoolSecondary · inspected 2023
    Good
  • Stourfield Infant SchoolPrimary · inspected 2024
    Good

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

Healthcare
57
A&E departmentsRoyal Bournemouth Hospital0.5 mi
Poole General Hospital7.4 mi
Hythe Hospital14.3 mi
Hospital waitsUniversity Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust1.6 mi
Routine referral (median)11 wks
Treated within 18 weeks67.5%
A&E seen within 4 hrs67.7%
5 GP surgeries in area best 'Good'
GP capacity1,609 patients per GP
16dentists9pharmacies

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
68
Full fibre (FTTP)79.4%
available across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Gigabit-capable · incl. cable
87.4%
Ultrafast (300+ Mbps)
87.4%
Superfast (30+ Mbps)
99.4%
Ofcom Connected Nations · 1,233 postcodes · full fibre at local-authority level

Economy & Bills

Economic Health
60
Employment rate49.3%
Below the Great Britain average of 57.3% of residents aged 16+
Economic activity (16+)
Employed49.3%Unemployed2.3%Retired36.7%Student2.9%Other inactive8.8%
Occupation mix
Professional & managerial40.3%Skilled & technical35.7%Routine & elementary24%
Highest qualification (16+)
No qualifications16.9%Level 1 (1–4 GCSEs)10.5%Level 2 (5+ GCSEs)15.4%Level 3 (A levels)17%Level 4+ (degree & above)30.3%Apprenticeship6.9%Other (incl. vocational)3%
Home ownership73.9%
Among the least-deprived 35% of areas in England
Census 2021/22 (Great Britain) · deprivation: IoD 2025 / SIMD
Bills
46
Council tax Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole · 2026-27
A £1,624
B £1,895
C £2,165
D £2,436
E £2,977
F £3,519
G £4,060
H £4,872
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 Wessex Water
Average bill regional £581/yr
Combined water & sewerage · GB average £520

Transport

Transport
59
Christchurch 1.5 mi
Hinton Admiral 1.8 mi
Pokesdown 3.4 mi
J1 M27 13.9 mi
J1 M27 14.5 mi
J2 M27 16.9 mi

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
55
Pubs & Bars Ample 22
Restaurants & Cafes Ample 64
Supermarkets & Convenience Ample 34
Retail Shopping Ample 273
Takeaways Ample 33
Fitness Ample 34

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House Prices

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

Type Median price Sales
All dwellings £410,000 482
Detached £540,500 214
Semi-detached £380,000 79
Terraced £330,000 83
Flat / Maisonette £220,000 106
5-year monthly trend
All Detached Semi Terraced Flat
£208k £348k £492k £633k 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026

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

Nearby places

Sopley 47 2.2 mi away ⇄
Bransgore 47 2.8 mi away ⇄
Barton on Sea 54 3.7 mi away ⇄
Thorney Hill 43 4.0 mi away ⇄
New Milton 52 4.1 mi away ⇄
Bashley 53 4.7 mi away ⇄
Merritown 42 4.8 mi away ⇄
Bournemouth 67 4.9 mi away ⇄
Ashley (New Forest) 53 5.1 mi away ⇄
Wootton (New Forest) 0 5.3 mi away ⇄
Matchams 0 5.4 mi away ⇄
Tiptoe 53 5.7 mi away ⇄

Frequently asked questions

Is Christchurch (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole) a nice place to live?

Christchurch (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole) is a decent place to live for many people. Our liveability score for Christchurch (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole) is 63/100, placing it among an average areas in the UK across nine categories: safety, schools, healthcare, environment, transport, broadband, lifestyle, economic health, and bills.

How safe is Christchurch (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole)?

Christchurch (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole) is a relatively safe area to live. Our safety score is 83/100. There were 2,594 crimes recorded in the area over the past 12 months.

What are the best schools in Christchurch (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole)?

Among the top-rated schools in Christchurch (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole) are St Katharine's Church of England Primary School, Christchurch Junior School and Christchurch Learning Centre, rated Outstanding by Ofsted. There are 18 rated schools in Christchurch (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole) in total.

What are house prices like in Christchurch (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole)?

The current median house price in Christchurch (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole) is £410,000, around 44% above the England and Wales average. By property type: detached £540,500, semi-detached £380,000, terraced £330,000, flat £220,000. Over the past five years, prices have risen by around 15%. There were 482 sales recorded in the past 12 months.

Christchurch (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole) in context

See where Christchurch (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole) ranks among the best places to live in Dorset

Postcode districts in Christchurch (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole)

BH23 61 ⇄

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