Town Pop. 20,025

Living in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu: Liveability Score 61/100

Last updated 7 August 2026

Hythe and Dibden Purlieu comes out at 61/100 on the 9 categories we can score here. Measured against other towns, transport stands out most: 62/100 where the typical UK town scores 21/100. No other settlement in the SO45 postcode district scores higher. Hythe and Dibden Purlieu leads all 3.

Against the wider SO45 district average of 54/100, that is 7 points above. On transport specifically, Hythe and Dibden Purlieu sits 8 points above the SO45 district figure of 54/100. That sits 11 points above the UK-wide average of 50, putting it in the top 10% of the towns and villages we score. Wider context for the surrounding area: SO45 postcode district.

61
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.

Hythe and Dibden Purlieu scores 61 but individual postcodes tell the full story

See the exact score for any postcode, side by side with Hythe and Dibden Purlieu.
Or compare:
SO45 1AA SO45 2AN SO45 3AB SO45 4AB SO45 5AA SO45 6AA SO45 9AY SO45

Score breakdown

Safety & Environment

Safety
77
59.5 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 573 crimes
↓ 14% below national average
Criminal damage and arson 115 crimes
↓ 16% below national average
Anti-social behaviour 105 crimes
↓ 66% below national average
Public order 92 crimes
↓ 29% below national average
Shoplifting 91 crimes
↓ 42% below national average
other 216 crimes
Highest-crime locations
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  1. 1 Petrol Station 71 crimes
  2. 2 Supermarket 46 crimes
  3. 3 Beech Crescent 42 crimes

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

Environment
75
Air Quality NO₂ 7.9 · PM2.5 6 · PM10 8.8 µg/m³
75
Green Space 77
Parks Ample 8
Sports Pitches Ample 17
Allotments Adequate 2
Golf Courses Some 1
Tennis Courts Adequate 5
Bowling Greens None
Playgrounds Ample 12

Services

Schools
49
10 schools in area · 12 within 4km
1Outstanding6Good3Ungraded
  • Orchard Infant SchoolPrimary · inspected 2022
    Outstanding
  • Greenwood SchoolAlternative provision · inspected 2022
    Good
  • Hythe Primary SchoolPrimary · inspected 2022
    Good
  • Noadswood SchoolSecondary · inspected 2022
    Good
  • Oak Lodge SchoolSpecial · inspected 2023
    Good
  • Orchard Junior SchoolPrimary · inspected 2022
    Good
  • Wildground Infant SchoolPrimary · inspected 2023
    Good
  • Applemore CollegeSecondary · inspected 2024
    Ungraded
  • Waterside Primary SchoolPrimary · inspected 2024
    Ungraded
  • Wildground Junior SchoolPrimary · inspected 2025
    Ungraded

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
54
A&E departmentsHythe Hospitalin area
Royal South Hants Urgent Treatment Centre2.5 mi
Southampton General Hospital4.1 mi
Hospital waitsHampshire And Isle Of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust0.4 mi
Routine referral (median)9 wks
Treated within 18 weeks70%
A&E seen within 4 hrs99.3%
3 GP surgeries in area best 'Good'
GP capacity1,659 patients per GP
4dentists3pharmacies

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
75
Full fibre (FTTP)71.8%
available across New Forest
Gigabit-capable · incl. cable
90.9%
Ultrafast (300+ Mbps)
90.3%
Superfast (30+ Mbps)
99.9%
Ofcom Connected Nations · 577 postcodes · full fibre at local-authority level

Economy & Bills

Economic Health
60
Employment rate53.6%
Below the Great Britain average of 57.3% of residents aged 16+
Economic activity (16+)
Employed53.6%Unemployed2.2%Retired33.2%Student2.6%Other inactive8.5%
Occupation mix
Professional & managerial37.4%Skilled & technical35.4%Routine & elementary27.2%
Highest qualification (16+)
No qualifications16.4%Level 1 (1–4 GCSEs)10.8%Level 2 (5+ GCSEs)15.2%Level 3 (A levels)19%Level 4+ (degree & above)28%Apprenticeship7.4%Other (incl. vocational)3.2%
Home ownership73.8%
Among the least-deprived 36% of areas in England
Census 2021/22 (Great Britain) · deprivation: IoD 2025 / SIMD
Bills
47
Council tax New Forest · 2026-27
A £1,613
B £1,882
C £2,151
D £2,420
E £2,958
F £3,496
G £4,033
H £4,840
Energy Southern 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
62
Woolston 3 mi
Netley 3.1 mi
Sholing 3.2 mi
J8 M27 4.9 mi
J8 M27 5.1 mi
J7 M27 5.3 mi

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
34
Pubs & Bars Adequate 7
Restaurants & Cafes Adequate 11
Supermarkets & Convenience Ample 9
Retail Shopping Ample 29
Takeaways Adequate 9
Fitness Some 1

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House Prices

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

Type Median price Sales
All dwellings £345,000 133
Detached £446,500 52
Semi-detached £330,250 32
Terraced £278,500 27
Flat / Maisonette £204,000 22
5-year monthly trend
All Detached Semi Terraced Flat
£182k £294k £409k £521k 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026

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

Nearby places

Holbury 45 2.5 mi away ⇄
Marchwood 57 2.7 mi away ⇄
Netley 54 2.9 mi away ⇄
Beaulieu 0 3.1 mi away ⇄
Blackfield and Langley 41 3.5 mi away ⇄
Hamble-le-Rice 54 3.6 mi away ⇄
Southampton 66 4.1 mi away ⇄
Ower (Fawley) 0 4.4 mi away ⇄
Bursledon 56 4.4 mi away ⇄
East Boldre 40 4.8 mi away ⇄
Hook Park Estate 0 5.1 mi away ⇄
Ashurst 50 5.5 mi away ⇄

Frequently asked questions

Is Hythe and Dibden Purlieu a nice place to live?

Hythe and Dibden Purlieu is a decent place to live for many people. Our liveability score for Hythe and Dibden Purlieu is 61/100, 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 Hythe and Dibden Purlieu?

Hythe and Dibden Purlieu is a relatively safe area to live. Our safety score is 77/100. There were 1,192 crimes recorded in the area over the past 12 months.

What are the best schools in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu?

Among the top-rated schools in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu are Orchard Infant School, Greenwood School and Hythe Primary School, rated Outstanding by Ofsted. There are 10 rated schools in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu in total.

What are house prices like in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu?

The current median house price in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu is £345,000, around 21% above the England and Wales average. By property type: detached £446,500, semi-detached £330,250, terraced £278,500, flat £204,000. Over the past five years, prices have risen by around 13%. There were 133 sales recorded in the past 12 months.

Hythe and Dibden Purlieu in context

See where Hythe and Dibden Purlieu ranks among the best places to live in Hampshire

Postcode districts in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu

SO45 54 ⇄

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