Town Pop. 403

Living in Dolton: Liveability Score 32/100

Last updated 7 August 2026

Dolton scores 32/100 overall, across 9 scored categories. The biggest shortfall against other towns is broadband: 14/100 versus a median of 60/100. Dolton is a place of extremes: 95/100 for safety against 3/100 for transport, a 92-point spread wider than roughly nine in ten UK towns.

That sits 18 points below the UK-wide average of 50, putting it in the bottom 10% of the towns and villages we score. Also scoring 80 or better: safety (95). Below 30/100: healthcare (3), transport (3), lifestyle (4), schools (5) and bills (24). The same breakdown for the wider area is on the EX19 postcode district.

32
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.

Dolton scores 32 but individual postcodes tell the full story

See the exact score for any postcode, side by side with Dolton.
Or compare:
EX19 8AA EX19

Score breakdown

Safety & Environment

Safety
95
99.3 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 19 crimes
↑ 41% above national average
Criminal damage and arson 5 crimes
↑ 82% above national average
Other theft 4 crimes
↑ 60% above national average
Public order 4 crimes
↑ 52% above national average
Other crime 2 crimes
↑ 150% above national average
other 6 crimes
Highest-crime locations
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  1. 1 Biddamoor Lane 5 crimes
  2. 2 Barlands Way 5 crimes
  3. 3 Orchard Gate 4 crimes

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

Environment
60
Air Quality NO₂ 2.3 · PM2.5 4.7 · PM10 8.4 µg/m³
82
Green Space 8
Parks Some 1
Sports Pitches None
Allotments None
Golf Courses None
Tennis Courts None
Bowling Greens None
Playgrounds Some 2

Services

Schools
5
1 school in area · 2 within 4km
1Good
  • Dolton Church of England Primary SchoolPrimary · inspected 2024
    Good

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

Healthcare
3
A&E departmentsNorth Devon District Hospital13.6 mi
Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital (Wonford)25.7 mi
Derriford Hospital32.7 mi
Hospital waitsRoyal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust6.3 mi
Routine referral (median)12 wks
Treated within 18 weeks62.7%
A&E seen within 4 hrs70.6%
Nearest GP surgeryCastle Gardens Surgery6.3 mi
GP capacity1,469 patients per GP
0dentists0pharmacies

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
14
Full fibre (FTTP)63.2%
available across Torridge
Gigabit-capable · incl. cable
20.8%
Ultrafast (300+ Mbps)
20.8%
Superfast (30+ Mbps)
100%
Ofcom Connected Nations · 23 postcodes · full fibre at local-authority level

Economy & Bills

Economic Health
58
Employment rate47.9%
Below the Great Britain average of 57.3% of residents aged 16+
Economic activity (16+)
Employed47.9%Unemployed2.4%Retired37.8%Student2.3%Other inactive9.6%
Occupation mix
Professional & managerial34.3%Skilled & technical41.3%Routine & elementary24.3%
Highest qualification (16+)
No qualifications18.4%Level 1 (1–4 GCSEs)10.8%Level 2 (5+ GCSEs)14.7%Level 3 (A levels)17.1%Level 4+ (degree & above)29.7%Apprenticeship5.7%Other (incl. vocational)3.7%
Home ownership81.6%
Among the most-deprived 35% of areas in England
Census 2021/22 (Great Britain) · deprivation: IoD 2025 / SIMD
Bills
24
Council tax Torridge · 2026-27
A £1,734
B £2,023
C £2,312
D £2,601
E £3,179
F £3,757
G £4,335
H £5,202
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
3
Portsmouth Arms 5.7 mi
Kings Nympton 6.3 mi
Eggesford 6.8 mi
J31 M5 26.7 mi
J31 M5 27 mi
J29 M5 27.2 mi

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
4
Pubs & Bars Some 2
Restaurants & Cafes None
Supermarkets & Convenience Some 1
Retail Shopping None
Takeaways None
Fitness None

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House Prices

Not enough recent sales

Fewer than 10 sales were recorded in Dolton in the last 12 months, which isn't enough for a reliable median. Smaller villages often fall below this in any given year. Figures come from HM Land Registry Price Paid data and are updated monthly, so this may fill in later.

Nearby places

Winkleigh 29 4.0 mi away ⇄
Petrockstowe 31 4.1 mi away ⇄
Hatherleigh 31 5.1 mi away ⇄
High Bickington 33 5.4 mi away ⇄
Great Torrington 45 6.4 mi away ⇄
Chulmleigh 37 7.2 mi away ⇄
Shebbear 31 8.1 mi away ⇄
North Tawton 34 8.6 mi away ⇄
Chawleigh 38 8.7 mi away ⇄
Northlew 23 9.2 mi away ⇄
Lapford 37 10 mi away ⇄
Zeal Monachorum 32 10 mi away ⇄

Frequently asked questions

Is Dolton a nice place to live?

Dolton has some challenges compared to many UK areas. Our liveability score for Dolton is 32/100, 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 Dolton?

Dolton is a relatively safe area to live. Our safety score is 95/100. There were 40 crimes recorded in the area over the past 12 months.

What are the best schools in Dolton?

Among the top-rated schools in Dolton is Dolton Church of England Primary School, rated Good by Ofsted. There are 1 rated schools in Dolton in total.

Dolton in context

See the best places to live in Devon, ranked

Postcode districts in Dolton

EX19 31 ⇄

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