Town Pop. 941

Living in Ruardean: Liveability Score 50/100

Last updated 7 August 2026

Our overall score for Ruardean is 50/100, built from 9 categories. Broadband is where Ruardean most outperforms the national norm: 89/100 against a median of 60/100 across UK towns. Furthest below the national norm is economic health, at 52/100 against a town median of 67/100.

Among the 8 scored places sharing the GL17 postcode district, Ruardean ranks 4th. On broadband specifically, Ruardean sits 48 points above the GL17 district figure of 41/100. Also scoring 80 or better: safety (94). For the surrounding area, see GL17 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.

Ruardean scores 50 but individual postcodes tell the full story

See the exact score for any postcode, side by side with Ruardean.
Or compare:
GL17 0AA GL17 1AT GL17 9AD GL17

Score breakdown

Safety & Environment

Safety
94
94.6 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 37 crimes
↑ 18% above national average
Anti-social behaviour 18 crimes
↑ 26% above national average
Other theft 9 crimes
↑ 55% above national average
Other crime 5 crimes
↑ 165% above national average
Criminal damage and arson 5 crimes
↓ 22% below national average
other 15 crimes
Highest-crime locations
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  1. 1 Belle Vue Road 14 crimes
  2. 2 Rocks Road 7 crimes
  3. 3 Hillside Terrace 6 crimes

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

Environment
64
Air Quality NO₂ 3.632 · PM2.5 5.606 · PM10 8.655 µg/m³
79
Green Space 30
Parks None
Sports Pitches Some 1
Allotments None
Golf Courses None
Tennis Courts None
Bowling Greens None
Playgrounds Some 1

Services

Schools
27
2 schools in area · 5 within 4km
2Good
  • Ruardean Church of England Primary SchoolPrimary · inspected 2023
    Good
  • Woodside Primary SchoolPrimary · inspected 2023
    Good

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

Healthcare
12
A&E departmentsLydney & District Hospital8.5 mi
Gloucestershire Royal Hospital13.1 mi
Hereford County Hospital15.2 mi
Hospital waitsGloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust2 mi
Routine referral (median)9 wks
Treated within 18 weeks74.5%
A&E seen within 4 hrs64.6%
Nearest GP surgeryMitcheldean Surgery2.7 mi
GP capacity2,044 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
89
Full fibre (FTTP)79.2%
available across Forest of Dean
Gigabit-capable · incl. cable
97.5%
Ultrafast (300+ Mbps)
97.5%
Superfast (30+ Mbps)
97.5%
Ofcom Connected Nations · 34 postcodes · full fibre at local-authority level

Economy & Bills

Economic Health
52
Employment rate55.2%
Below the Great Britain average of 57.3% of residents aged 16+
Economic activity (16+)
Employed55.2%Unemployed2.4%Retired28.4%Student3.6%Other inactive10.4%
Occupation mix
Professional & managerial32.9%Skilled & technical35.8%Routine & elementary31.3%
Highest qualification (16+)
No qualifications18.7%Level 1 (1–4 GCSEs)10.6%Level 2 (5+ GCSEs)15.8%Level 3 (A levels)16.8%Level 4+ (degree & above)27.9%Apprenticeship7.4%Other (incl. vocational)2.8%
Home ownership78%
Around the England average for deprivation
Census 2021/22 (Great Britain) · deprivation: IoD 2025 / SIMD
Bills
45
Council tax Forest of Dean · 2026-27
A £1,629
B £1,900
C £2,172
D £2,443
E £2,986
F £3,529
G £4,072
H £4,886
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 E
Water Severn Trent Water
Average bill regional £424/yr
Combined water & sewerage · GB average £520

Transport

Transport
45
Lydney 9.8 mi
Cam and Dursley 12.6 mi
Gloucester 13.4 mi
J4 M50 5.2 mi
J3 M50 6 mi
J3 M50 6.1 mi

Lifestyle

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

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House Prices

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

Type Median price Sales
All dwellings £230,000 11
5-year monthly trend
All
£206k £230k £255k £279k 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026

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

Nearby places

Ruardean Woodside 54 0.6 mi away ⇄
Drybrook 45 1.4 mi away ⇄
Welsh Bicknor 40 1.6 mi away ⇄
Mitcheldean 55 2.7 mi away ⇄
Cinderford 54 2.9 mi away ⇄
Lea (Herefordshire) 35 3.7 mi away ⇄
Weston under Penyard 34 3.8 mi away ⇄
Ruspidge 58 3.8 mi away ⇄
Littledean 53 3.9 mi away ⇄
Berry Hill 47 4.1 mi away ⇄
Longhope 47 4.2 mi away ⇄
Symonds Yat West 36 4.2 mi away ⇄

Frequently asked questions

Is Ruardean a nice place to live?

Ruardean is a decent place to live for many people. Our liveability score for Ruardean 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 Ruardean?

Ruardean is a relatively safe area to live. Our safety score is 94/100. There were 89 crimes recorded in the area over the past 12 months.

What are the best schools in Ruardean?

Among the top-rated schools in Ruardean are Ruardean Church of England Primary School and Woodside Primary School, rated Good by Ofsted. There are 2 rated schools in Ruardean in total.

What are house prices like in Ruardean?

The current median house price in Ruardean is £230,000, around 19% below the England and Wales average.

Ruardean in context

See the best places to live in Gloucestershire, ranked

Postcode districts in Ruardean

GL17 47 ⇄

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