Town Pop. 30

Living in Downham: Liveability Score 50/100

Last updated 7 August 2026

Downham scores 50/100 overall, across 9 scored categories. Measured against other towns, broadband stands out most: 99/100 where the typical UK town scores 60/100. That makes it the 5th highest-scoring of the 9 places in the CM11 postcode district.

The CM11 district averages 61/100, putting Downham 11 points below its own postcode area. On broadband specifically, Downham sits 44 points above the CM11 district figure of 55/100. Safety (94) and economic health (90) sit at 80/100 or above. The same breakdown for the wider area is on the CM11 postcode district.

50
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.

Downham scores 50 but individual postcodes tell the full story

See the exact score for any postcode, side by side with Downham.
Or compare:
CM11 1AA CM11 2AA CM11

Score breakdown

Safety & Environment

Safety
94
2,300 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 28 crimes
↑ 2703% above national average
Criminal damage and arson 11 crimes
↑ 5293% above national average
Vehicle crime 8 crimes
↑ 5456% above national average
Other theft 7 crimes
↑ 3663% above national average
Burglary 6 crimes
↑ 5614% above national average
other 9 crimes
Highest-crime locations
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  1. 1 Lindhurst Drive 9 crimes
  2. 2 Downham Road 6 crimes
  3. 3 Willowmeade 6 crimes

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

Environment
60
Air Quality NO₂ 8.03 · PM2.5 7.012 · PM10 11.626 µg/m³
71
Green Space 36
Parks Some 1
Sports Pitches None
Allotments None
Golf Courses None
Tennis Courts None
Bowling Greens None
Playgrounds None

Services

Schools
16

School inspection data is not available for this area.

Healthcare
16
A&E departmentsBasildon University Hospital5.6 mi
Broomfield Hospital9.4 mi
Southend University Hospital9.7 mi
Hospital waitsMid And South Essex NHS Foundation Trust2.3 mi
Routine referral (median)17 wks
Treated within 18 weeks50.6%
A&E seen within 4 hrs68%
Nearest GP surgerySwanwood Partnership1.9 mi
GP capacity1,663 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
99
Full fibre (FTTP)79.4%
available across Chelmsford
Gigabit-capable · incl. cable
100%
Ultrafast (300+ Mbps)
100%
Superfast (30+ Mbps)
100%
Ofcom Connected Nations · 8 postcodes · full fibre at local-authority level

Economy & Bills

Economic Health
90
Employment rate58.8%
Above the Great Britain average of 57.3% of residents aged 16+
Economic activity (16+)
Employed58.8%Unemployed2.1%Retired26.7%Student3.5%Other inactive8.8%
Occupation mix
Professional & managerial47.1%Skilled & technical38.5%Routine & elementary14.4%
Highest qualification (16+)
No qualifications14%Level 1 (1–4 GCSEs)11.4%Level 2 (5+ GCSEs)17.6%Level 3 (A levels)19%Level 4+ (degree & above)30.1%Apprenticeship5.2%Other (incl. vocational)2.6%
Home ownership88.9%
Among the least-deprived 25% of areas in England
Census 2021/22 (Great Britain) · deprivation: IoD 2025 / SIMD
Bills
60
Council tax Chelmsford · 2026-27
A £1,533
B £1,789
C £2,044
D £2,300
E £2,811
F £3,322
G £3,833
H £4,600
Energy Eastern England region
Typical bill regional £1,641/yr
Ofgem price cap, GB average · Apr–Jun 2026
Typical home efficiency local EPC band D
Water Anglian Water
Average bill regional £498/yr
Combined water & sewerage · GB average £520

Transport

Transport
25
Wickford 1.9 mi
Battlesbridge 3.2 mi
Billericay 3.3 mi
J29 M25 10 mi
J28 M25 10.1 mi
J29 M25 10.1 mi

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
11
Pubs & Bars None
Restaurants & Cafes Some 1
Supermarkets & Convenience None
Retail Shopping None
Takeaways None
Fitness None

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House Prices

Not enough recent sales

Fewer than 10 sales were recorded in Downham 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

Brock Hill 45 0.5 mi away ⇄
Ramsden Heath 50 0.9 mi away ⇄
Ramsden Bellhouse 50 1.3 mi away ⇄
Runwell 56 1.6 mi away ⇄
Coalhill 40 2.0 mi away ⇄
Wickford 58 2.3 mi away ⇄
West Hanningfield 36 2.3 mi away ⇄
Stock 33 2.6 mi away ⇄
Rettendon 32 2.7 mi away ⇄
Crays Hill 44 2.7 mi away ⇄
Billericay 64 3.1 mi away ⇄
Nevendon 44 3.2 mi away ⇄

Frequently asked questions

Is Downham a nice place to live?

Downham is a decent place to live for many people. Our liveability score for Downham is 50/100, 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 Downham?

Downham is a relatively safe area to live. Our safety score is 94/100. There were 69 crimes recorded in the area over the past 12 months.

Downham in context

See the best places to live in Essex, ranked

Postcode districts in Downham

CM11 61 ⇄

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