Town Pop. 613

Living in Lea Valley: Liveability Score 59/100

Last updated 7 August 2026

Lea Valley comes out at 59/100 on the 9 categories we can score here. Measured against other towns, broadband stands out most: 94/100 where the typical UK town scores 60/100. That makes it the 2nd highest-scoring of the 9 places in the AL4 postcode district.

On broadband specifically, Lea Valley sits 32 points above the AL4 district figure of 62/100. That sits 9 points above the UK-wide average of 50, putting it in the top 10% of the towns and villages we score. Economic health (98) and safety (94) also clear 80/100. The same breakdown for the wider area is on the AL4 postcode district.

59
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.

Lea Valley scores 59 but individual postcodes tell the full story

See the exact score for any postcode, side by side with Lea Valley.
Or compare:
AL4 0AA AL4 8AA AL4 9AA AL4

Score breakdown

Safety & Environment

Safety
94
93 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 15 crimes
↓ 26% below national average
Vehicle crime 11 crimes
↑ 273% above national average
Other theft 8 crimes
↑ 111% above national average
Criminal damage and arson 6 crimes
↑ 44% above national average
Anti-social behaviour 5 crimes
↓ 46% below national average
other 12 crimes
Highest-crime locations
Loading map…
  1. 1 Old School Drive 13 crimes
  2. 2 Parking Area 7 crimes
  3. 3 Dyke Lane 6 crimes

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

Environment
65
Air Quality NO₂ 8.328 · PM2.5 7.147 · PM10 11.498 µg/m³
70
Green Space 53
Parks Ample 6
Sports Pitches Adequate 3
Allotments None
Golf Courses Ample 3
Tennis Courts None
Bowling Greens None
Playgrounds None

Services

Schools
52
6 schools in area · 20 within 4km
4Outstanding2Good
  • Batford Nursery SchoolNursery · inspected 2023
    Outstanding
  • Crabtree Infants' SchoolPrimary · inspected 2024
    Outstanding
  • Crabtree Junior SchoolPrimary · inspected 2023
    Outstanding
  • High Beeches Primary SchoolPrimary · inspected 2023
    Outstanding
  • Katherine Warington SchoolSecondary · inspected 2024
    Good
  • Sauncey Wood Primary SchoolPrimary · inspected 2025
    Good

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

Healthcare
19
A&E departmentsQueen Elizabeth II Hospital5.8 mi
Luton and Dunstable Hospital8.1 mi
Lister Hospital8.4 mi
Hospital waitsRoyal Free London NHS Foundation Trust1.4 mi
Routine referral (median)11 wks
Treated within 18 weeks64.9%
A&E seen within 4 hrs80.6%
Nearest GP surgeryThe Elms Medical Practice1.4 mi
GP capacity1,392 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
94
Full fibre (FTTP)80.4%
available across St Albans
Gigabit-capable · incl. cable
98.9%
Ultrafast (300+ Mbps)
98.9%
Superfast (30+ Mbps)
98.9%
Ofcom Connected Nations · 19 postcodes · full fibre at local-authority level

Economy & Bills

Economic Health
98
Employment rate59.8%
Above the Great Britain average of 57.3% of residents aged 16+
Economic activity (16+)
Employed59.8%Unemployed2.4%Retired25.4%Student5%Other inactive7.5%
Occupation mix
Professional & managerial62.4%Skilled & technical27.6%Routine & elementary10.1%
Highest qualification (16+)
No qualifications7%Level 1 (1–4 GCSEs)4.9%Level 2 (5+ GCSEs)13.5%Level 3 (A levels)15.4%Level 4+ (degree & above)53.9%Apprenticeship3.5%Other (incl. vocational)1.8%
Home ownership87.7%
Among the least-deprived 2% of areas in England
Census 2021/22 (Great Britain) · deprivation: IoD 2025 / SIMD
Bills
50
Council tax St Albans · 2026-27
A £1,613
B £1,881
C £2,150
D £2,419
E £2,957
F £3,494
G £4,032
H £4,838
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 Affinity Water
Average bill regional £490/yr
Combined water & sewerage · GB average £520

Transport

Transport
39
Harpenden 1.4 mi
Central Terminal 4.7 mi
St Albans City 4.8 mi
J9 M1 4.2 mi
J9 M1 4.2 mi
J6 A1(M) 4.5 mi

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
40
Pubs & Bars None
Restaurants & Cafes None
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 Lea Valley 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

Wheathampstead 53 1.3 mi away ⇄
Blackmore End 43 1.3 mi away ⇄
Harpenden 65 1.4 mi away ⇄
Kimpton 40 2.4 mi away ⇄
Sandridge 56 2.8 mi away ⇄
Kinsbourne Green 50 3.4 mi away ⇄
Redbourn 43 3.8 mi away ⇄
Whitwell (North Hertfordshire) 41 4.2 mi away ⇄
Codicote 40 4.2 mi away ⇄
Welwyn 51 4.5 mi away ⇄
St Albans 66 4.5 mi away ⇄
Breachwood Green 34 4.6 mi away ⇄

Frequently asked questions

Is Lea Valley a nice place to live?

Lea Valley is a decent place to live for many people. Our liveability score for Lea Valley is 59/100, 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 Lea Valley?

Lea Valley is a relatively safe area to live. Our safety score is 94/100. There were 57 crimes recorded in the area over the past 12 months.

What are the best schools in Lea Valley?

Among the top-rated schools in Lea Valley are Batford Nursery School, Crabtree Infants' School and Crabtree Junior School, rated Outstanding by Ofsted. There are 6 rated schools in Lea Valley in total.

Lea Valley in context

See the best places to live in Hertfordshire, ranked

Postcode districts in Lea Valley

AL4 55 ⇄

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