Town Pop. 4,725

Living in Northam: Liveability Score 54/100

Last updated 7 August 2026

Our overall score for Northam is 54/100, built from 9 categories. Its biggest lead over the typical UK town is healthcare: 51/100 against a national town median of 18/100. Furthest below the national norm is bills, at 29/100 against a town median of 47/100.

That is the highest score of the 8 places in the EX39 postcode district. The EX39 district averages 43/100, putting Northam 11 points above its own postcode area. Its healthcare score runs 11 points above the EX39 district's 40/100. Wider context for the surrounding area: EX39 postcode district.

54
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.

Northam scores 54 but individual postcodes tell the full story

See the exact score for any postcode, side by side with Northam.
Or compare:
EX39 1AA EX39 2AA EX39 3AA EX39 4AB EX39 5AA EX39 6AA EX39 9DY EX39

Score breakdown

Safety & Environment

Safety
92
70.5 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 138 crimes
↓ 12% below national average
Anti-social behaviour 67 crimes
≈ similar to national average
Criminal damage and arson 38 crimes
↑ 18% above national average
Other theft 32 crimes
≈ similar to national average
Drugs 14 crimes
≈ similar to national average
other 44 crimes
Highest-crime locations
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  1. 1 Bidna Lane 38 crimes
  2. 2 The Square 18 crimes
  3. 3 Northcott Gardens 14 crimes

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

Environment
69
Air Quality NO₂ 2.8 · PM2.5 4.6 · PM10 7.8 µg/m³
83
Green Space 37
Parks Ample 12
Sports Pitches Adequate 2
Allotments Some 1
Golf Courses Some 1
Tennis Courts None
Bowling Greens None
Playgrounds Adequate 3

Services

Schools
35
4 schools in area · 9 within 4km
3Good1Requires Improvement
  • Appledore SchoolPrimary · inspected 2023
    Good
  • St George's CofE Infant and Nursery SchoolPrimary · inspected 2025
    Good
  • St Mary's CofE Primary SchoolPrimary · inspected 2023
    Good
  • St Margaret's Church of England Junior SchoolPrimary · inspected 2020
    Requires Improvement

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

Healthcare
51
A&E departmentsNorth Devon District Hospital7.3 mi
Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital (Wonford)37.4 mi
Liskeard Community Hospital40.6 mi
Hospital waitsRoyal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust1.2 mi
Routine referral (median)12 wks
Treated within 18 weeks62.7%
A&E seen within 4 hrs70.6%
1 GP surgery in area 3 within 4km best 'Outstanding'
GP capacity1,305 patients per GP
1dentist1pharmacy

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
69
Full fibre (FTTP)63.2%
available across Torridge
Gigabit-capable · incl. cable
88.7%
Ultrafast (300+ Mbps)
88.7%
Superfast (30+ Mbps)
99.1%
Ofcom Connected Nations · 144 postcodes · full fibre at local-authority level

Economy & Bills

Economic Health
50
Employment rate44.6%
Below the Great Britain average of 57.3% of residents aged 16+
Economic activity (16+)
Employed44.6%Unemployed2.1%Retired41.1%Student2.1%Other inactive10.2%
Occupation mix
Professional & managerial35.5%Skilled & technical37.1%Routine & elementary27.4%
Highest qualification (16+)
No qualifications18.8%Level 1 (1–4 GCSEs)10.9%Level 2 (5+ GCSEs)14.5%Level 3 (A levels)16.1%Level 4+ (degree & above)28.7%Apprenticeship8.1%Other (incl. vocational)2.8%
Home ownership75.7%
Around the England average for deprivation
Census 2021/22 (Great Britain) · deprivation: IoD 2025 / SIMD
Bills
29
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
22
Barnstaple 7 mi
Chapelton 8.4 mi
Umberleigh 10.5 mi
No motorway junctions within 30 mi

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
39
Pubs & Bars Some 2
Restaurants & Cafes None
Supermarkets & Convenience Adequate 2
Retail Shopping Some 1
Takeaways None
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 £320,000 33
Detached £415,000 19
5-year monthly trend
All Detached Terraced
£222k £296k £373k £448k 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026

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

Nearby places

Westward Ho! 49 1.0 mi away ⇄
Appledore (Torridge) 43 1.1 mi away ⇄
Bideford 44 1.5 mi away ⇄
Instow 38 1.9 mi away ⇄
Littleham 0 3.5 mi away ⇄
Fremington 43 3.9 mi away ⇄
Chivenor and Wrafton 39 4.7 mi away ⇄
Braunton 45 5.3 mi away ⇄
Bickington 52 5.6 mi away ⇄
Croyde 38 6.4 mi away ⇄
Ashford (North Devon) 38 6.5 mi away ⇄
Great Torrington 45 6.7 mi away ⇄

Frequently asked questions

Is Northam a nice place to live?

Northam is a decent place to live for many people. Our liveability score for Northam is 54/100, 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 Northam?

Northam is a relatively safe area to live. Our safety score is 92/100. There were 333 crimes recorded in the area over the past 12 months.

What are the best schools in Northam?

Among the top-rated schools in Northam are Appledore School, St George's CofE Infant and Nursery School and St Mary's CofE Primary School, rated Good by Ofsted. There are 4 rated schools in Northam in total.

What are house prices like in Northam?

The current median house price in Northam is £320,000, around 12% above the England and Wales average. By property type: detached £415,000. Over the past five years, prices have risen by around 12%. There were 33 sales recorded in the past 12 months.

Northam in context

See where Northam ranks among the best places to live in Devon

Postcode districts in Northam

EX39 43 ⇄

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