Town Pop. 15,738

Living in South Woodham Ferrers: Liveability Score 56/100

Last updated 7 August 2026

South Woodham Ferrers comes out at 56/100 on the 9 categories we can score here. Measured against other towns, schools stands out most: 45/100 where the typical UK town scores 23/100. That makes it the 3rd highest-scoring of the 24 places in the CM3 postcode district.

It scores 8 points above the CM3 postcode district as a whole, which averages 48/100. Its schools score runs 17 points above the CM3 district's 28/100. Also scoring 80 or better: safety (91). For the surrounding area, see CM3 postcode district.

56
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.

South Woodham Ferrers scores 56 but individual postcodes tell the full story

See the exact score for any postcode, side by side with South Woodham Ferrers.
Or compare:
CM3 1AA CM3 2AA CM3 3AA CM3 4AA CM3 5BF CM3 6AA CM3 7AB CM3 8AA CM3 SS11

Score breakdown

Safety & Environment

Safety
91
43.4 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 279 crimes
↓ 47% below national average
Shoplifting 114 crimes
≈ similar to national average
Anti-social behaviour 54 crimes
↓ 78% below national average
Other theft 46 crimes
↓ 53% below national average
Criminal damage and arson 42 crimes
↓ 60% below national average
other 148 crimes
Highest-crime locations
Loading map…
  1. 1 Willow Grove 84 crimes
  2. 2 Reeves Way 46 crimes
  3. 3 Parking Area 40 crimes

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

Environment
56
Air Quality NO₂ 9 · PM2.5 7.2 · PM10 11.4 µg/m³
70
Green Space 26
Parks Ample 7
Sports Pitches Adequate 4
Allotments Some 1
Golf Courses None
Tennis Courts Some 2
Bowling Greens Some 1
Playgrounds Ample 9

Services

Schools
45
7 schools in area · 9 within 4km
5Good2Ungraded
  • Collingwood Primary SchoolPrimary · inspected 2021
    Good
  • Elmwood Primary SchoolPrimary · inspected 2023
    Good
  • Riverside Primary SchoolPrimary · inspected 2023
    Good
  • St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, SWFPrimary · inspected 2024
    Good
  • Trinity St Mary's CofE Voluntary Aided Primary School, South Woodham FerrersPrimary · inspected 2023
    Good
  • William de Ferrers SchoolSecondary · inspected 2024
    Ungraded
  • Woodville Primary SchoolPrimary · inspected 2024
    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
32
A&E departmentsSouthend University Hospital6.2 mi
Basildon University Hospital7.9 mi
Broomfield Hospital10.1 mi
Hospital waitsMid And South Essex NHS Foundation Trust0.6 mi
Routine referral (median)17 wks
Treated within 18 weeks50.6%
A&E seen within 4 hrs68%
1 GP surgery in area 2 within 4km best 'Good'
GP capacity2,551 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)79.4%
available across Chelmsford
Gigabit-capable · incl. cable
88.9%
Ultrafast (300+ Mbps)
91.3%
Superfast (30+ Mbps)
99.4%
Ofcom Connected Nations · 256 postcodes · full fibre at local-authority level

Economy & Bills

Economic Health
77
Employment rate62.4%
Above the Great Britain average of 57.3% of residents aged 16+
Economic activity (16+)
Employed62.4%Unemployed2.4%Retired24.3%Student3.1%Other inactive7.9%
Occupation mix
Professional & managerial43.2%Skilled & technical35.3%Routine & elementary21.5%
Highest qualification (16+)
No qualifications14.9%Level 1 (1–4 GCSEs)12.7%Level 2 (5+ GCSEs)17.7%Level 3 (A levels)19.9%Level 4+ (degree & above)26.7%Apprenticeship5.9%Other (incl. vocational)2.3%
Home ownership78.4%
Among the least-deprived 28% of areas in England
Census 2021/22 (Great Britain) · deprivation: IoD 2025 / SIMD
Bills
60
Council tax Chelmsford · 2026-27
A £1,533
B £1,789
C £2,044
D £2,300
E £2,811
F £3,322
G £3,833
H £4,600
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
37
South Woodham Ferrers 0.4 mi
Battlesbridge 2.4 mi
North Fambridge 3.1 mi
J29 M25 14.9 mi
J29 M25 14.9 mi
J29 M25 14.9 mi

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
35
Pubs & Bars Adequate 6
Restaurants & Cafes Adequate 10
Supermarkets & Convenience Ample 9
Retail Shopping Ample 29
Takeaways Adequate 7
Fitness Adequate 4

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House Prices

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

Type Median price Sales
All dwellings £360,000 125
Detached £505,000 42
Semi-detached £390,000 28
Terraced £303,000 33
Flat / Maisonette £165,000 22
5-year monthly trend
All Detached Semi Terraced Flat
£153k £301k £453k £602k 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026

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

Nearby places

Hullbridge 52 1.6 mi away ⇄
Woodham Ferrers 41 2.0 mi away ⇄
Battlesbridge 35 2.0 mi away ⇄
Rettendon 32 2.7 mi away ⇄
Rawreth 44 2.8 mi away ⇄
North Fambridge 43 2.9 mi away ⇄
Cold Norton (Maldon) 42 3.1 mi away ⇄
Coalhill 40 3.3 mi away ⇄
East Hanningfield 39 3.4 mi away ⇄
Hockley and Hawkwell 59 3.5 mi away ⇄
Bicknacre 50 3.6 mi away ⇄
Purleigh 44 3.6 mi away ⇄

Frequently asked questions

Is South Woodham Ferrers a nice place to live?

South Woodham Ferrers is a decent place to live for many people. Our liveability score for South Woodham Ferrers is 56/100, 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 South Woodham Ferrers?

South Woodham Ferrers is a relatively safe area to live. Our safety score is 91/100. There were 683 crimes recorded in the area over the past 12 months.

What are the best schools in South Woodham Ferrers?

Among the top-rated schools in South Woodham Ferrers are Collingwood Primary School, Elmwood Primary School and Riverside Primary School, rated Good by Ofsted. There are 7 rated schools in South Woodham Ferrers in total.

What are house prices like in South Woodham Ferrers?

The current median house price in South Woodham Ferrers is £360,000, around 26% above the England and Wales average. By property type: detached £505,000, semi-detached £390,000, terraced £303,000, flat £165,000. Over the past five years, prices have risen by around 10%. There were 125 sales recorded in the past 12 months.

South Woodham Ferrers in context

See where South Woodham Ferrers ranks among the best places to live in Essex

Postcode districts in South Woodham Ferrers

CM3 48 ⇄
SS11 57 ⇄

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