Town Pop. 2,243

Living in Shelley (Epping Forest): Liveability Score 49/100

Last updated 7 August 2026

Our overall score for Shelley (Epping Forest) is 49/100, built from 9 categories. Measured against other towns, broadband stands out most: 89/100 where the typical UK town scores 60/100. No other settlement in the CM5 postcode district scores higher. Shelley (Epping Forest) leads all 4.

It scores 7 points above the CM5 postcode district as a whole, which averages 42/100. On broadband specifically, Shelley (Epping Forest) sits 34 points above the CM5 district figure of 55/100. Also scoring 80 or better: safety (83). Wider context for the surrounding area: CM5 postcode district.

49
OUT OF 100
Below Avg
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.

Shelley (Epping Forest) scores 49 but individual postcodes tell the full story

See the exact score for any postcode, side by side with Shelley (Epping Forest).
Or compare:
CM5 0AA CM5 5AH CM5 9AA CM5

Score breakdown

Safety & Environment

Safety
83
152.5 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 150 crimes
↑ 101% above national average
Vehicle crime 38 crimes
↑ 252% above national average
Criminal damage and arson 36 crimes
↑ 135% above national average
Other theft 30 crimes
↑ 116% above national average
Anti-social behaviour 25 crimes
↓ 27% below national average
other 63 crimes
Highest-crime locations
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  1. 1 Park/Open Space 39 crimes
  2. 2 The Gables 17 crimes
  3. 3 Mill Grove 16 crimes

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

Environment
55
Air Quality NO₂ 7.5 · PM2.5 7 · PM10 12.7 µg/m³
70
Green Space 19
Parks Ample 5
Sports Pitches Adequate 3
Allotments Some 1
Golf Courses None
Tennis Courts Some 2
Bowling Greens None
Playgrounds Some 1

Services

Schools
30
3 schools in area · 6 within 4km
3Good
  • High Ongar Primary SchoolPrimary · inspected 2023
    Good
  • Ongar Primary SchoolPrimary · inspected 2023
    Good
  • The Ongar AcademySecondary · 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
32
A&E departmentsPrincess Alexandra Hospital7.5 mi
Broomfield Hospital9.9 mi
Queens Hospital10.2 mi
Hospital waitsMid And South Essex NHS Foundation Trust0.1 mi
Routine referral (median)17 wks
Treated within 18 weeks50.6%
A&E seen within 4 hrs68%
1 GP surgery in area best 'Good'
GP capacity962 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)71.5%
available across Epping Forest
Gigabit-capable · incl. cable
96.1%
Ultrafast (300+ Mbps)
96.1%
Superfast (30+ Mbps)
96.1%
Ofcom Connected Nations · 46 postcodes · full fibre at local-authority level

Economy & Bills

Economic Health
53
Employment rate58.2%
Above the Great Britain average of 57.3% of residents aged 16+
Economic activity (16+)
Employed58.2%Unemployed2.4%Retired23.7%Student3.7%Other inactive11.9%
Occupation mix
Professional & managerial37.5%Skilled & technical40.8%Routine & elementary21.6%
Highest qualification (16+)
No qualifications21.2%Level 1 (1–4 GCSEs)11.9%Level 2 (5+ GCSEs)16.9%Level 3 (A levels)16.9%Level 4+ (degree & above)24.4%Apprenticeship6%Other (incl. vocational)2.7%
Home ownership69.7%
Around the England average for deprivation
Census 2021/22 (Great Britain) · deprivation: IoD 2025 / SIMD
Bills
61
Council tax Epping Forest · 2026-27
A £1,518
B £1,771
C £2,024
D £2,277
E £2,783
F £3,289
G £3,795
H £4,554
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
Epping 5.8 mi
Theydon Bois 6.7 mi
Ingatestone 6.9 mi
J7 M11 4.9 mi
J7 M11 4.9 mi
J6 M11 5.3 mi

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
16
Pubs & Bars None
Restaurants & Cafes Some 1
Supermarkets & Convenience Some 1
Retail Shopping None
Takeaways Some 1
Fitness Adequate 2

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House Prices

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

Type Median price Sales
All dwellings £420,000 18
Semi-detached £433,500 12
5-year monthly trend
All
£387k £405k £424k £441k 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026

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

Nearby places

Chipping Ongar 47 0.9 mi away ⇄
Fyfield 44 1.9 mi away ⇄
Moreton (Epping Forest) 40 2.0 mi away ⇄
Paslow Wood Common 0 2.6 mi away ⇄
Stondon Massey 0 2.8 mi away ⇄
North Weald Bassett 45 3.5 mi away ⇄
Blackmore 48 3.6 mi away ⇄
Kelvedon Hatch 45 3.7 mi away ⇄
Doddinghurst 50 4.1 mi away ⇄
Doddinghurst Common 46 4.2 mi away ⇄
Matching Green 29 4.3 mi away ⇄
Coopersale 47 4.7 mi away ⇄

Frequently asked questions

Is Shelley (Epping Forest) a nice place to live?

Shelley (Epping Forest) has some challenges compared to many UK areas. Our liveability score for Shelley (Epping Forest) is 49/100, placing it among a below-average areas in the UK across nine categories: safety, schools, healthcare, environment, transport, broadband, lifestyle, economic health, and bills.

How safe is Shelley (Epping Forest)?

Shelley (Epping Forest) is a relatively safe area to live. Our safety score is 83/100. There were 342 crimes recorded in the area over the past 12 months.

What are the best schools in Shelley (Epping Forest)?

Among the top-rated schools in Shelley (Epping Forest) are High Ongar Primary School, Ongar Primary School and The Ongar Academy, rated Good by Ofsted. There are 3 rated schools in Shelley (Epping Forest) in total.

What are house prices like in Shelley (Epping Forest)?

The current median house price in Shelley (Epping Forest) is £420,000, around 47% above the England and Wales average. By property type: semi-detached £433,500.

Shelley (Epping Forest) in context

See the best places to live in Essex, ranked

Postcode districts in Shelley (Epping Forest)

CM5 42 ⇄

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