Town Pop. 6,307

Living in Wem: Liveability Score 50/100

Last updated 7 August 2026

Wem comes out at 50/100 on the 9 categories we can score here. Its biggest lead over the typical UK town is lifestyle: 43/100 against a national town median of 21/100. Furthest below the national norm is economic health, at 52/100 against a town median of 67/100.

That makes it the 2nd highest-scoring of the 12 places in the SY4 postcode district. Against the wider SY4 district average of 43/100, that is 7 points above. Transport (25) and schools (28) all fall below 30/100. For the surrounding area, see SY4 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.

Wem scores 50 but individual postcodes tell the full story

See the exact score for any postcode, side by side with Wem.
Or compare:
SY4 1AA SY4 2AA SY4 3AA SY4 4AA SY4 5AA SY4 9BG SY4

Score breakdown

Safety & Environment

Safety
73
78.8 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 218 crimes
≈ similar to national average
Anti-social behaviour 98 crimes
≈ similar to national average
Criminal damage and arson 39 crimes
≈ similar to national average
Public order 25 crimes
↓ 38% below national average
Shoplifting 25 crimes
↓ 49% below national average
other 92 crimes
Highest-crime locations
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  1. 1 Oak Avenue 50 crimes
  2. 2 Parking Area 47 crimes
  3. 3 The Grove 20 crimes

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

Environment
79
Air Quality NO₂ 3.6 · PM2.5 5.4 · PM10 9 µg/m³
79
Green Space 80
Parks Ample 5
Sports Pitches Ample 8
Allotments None
Golf Courses None
Tennis Courts Adequate 4
Bowling Greens Ample 4
Playgrounds Ample 12

Services

Schools
28
2 schools in area · 3 within 4km
2Good
  • St Peter's CofE Primary SchoolPrimary · inspected 2022
    Good
  • The Thomas Adams SchoolSecondary · 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
35
A&E departmentsRoyal Shrewsbury Hospital9.9 mi
Princess Royal Hospital12.7 mi
Leighton Hospital19.7 mi
Hospital waitsMidlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust0.4 mi
Routine referral (median)4 wks
Treated within 18 weeks92.8%
1 GP surgery in area best 'Good'
GP capacity1,683 patients per GP
2dentists1pharmacy

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
76
Full fibre (FTTP)72.7%
available across Shropshire
Gigabit-capable · incl. cable
97.1%
Ultrafast (300+ Mbps)
97.1%
Superfast (30+ Mbps)
99.9%
Ofcom Connected Nations · 149 postcodes · full fibre at local-authority level

Economy & Bills

Economic Health
52
Employment rate55%
Below the Great Britain average of 57.3% of residents aged 16+
Economic activity (16+)
Employed55%Unemployed2.4%Retired29%Student4.1%Other inactive9.6%
Occupation mix
Professional & managerial33.1%Skilled & technical36.6%Routine & elementary30.2%
Highest qualification (16+)
No qualifications17%Level 1 (1–4 GCSEs)10.2%Level 2 (5+ GCSEs)16.6%Level 3 (A levels)18.9%Level 4+ (degree & above)27.6%Apprenticeship6.8%Other (incl. vocational)2.8%
Home ownership70.3%
Around the England average for deprivation
Census 2021/22 (Great Britain) · deprivation: IoD 2025 / SIMD
Bills
39
Council tax Shropshire · 2026-27
A £1,685
B £1,966
C £2,247
D £2,528
E £3,090
F £3,652
G £4,213
H £5,056
Energy South Wales region
Typical bill regional £1,641/yr
Ofgem price cap, GB average · Apr–Jun 2026
Typical home efficiency local EPC band D
Water Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water
Average bill regional £502/yr
Combined water & sewerage · GB average £520

Transport

Transport
25
Wem 0.2 mi
Prees 3.1 mi
Yorton 3.5 mi
J7 M54 13.6 mi
J7 M54 14 mi
J6 M54 15 mi

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
43
Pubs & Bars Adequate 6
Restaurants & Cafes Adequate 6
Supermarkets & Convenience Ample 5
Retail Shopping Ample 60
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 £240,000 49
Detached £350,000 21
Semi-detached £234,000 15
Terraced £192,000 11
5-year monthly trend
All Detached Semi Terraced
£149k £214k £281k £346k 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026

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

Nearby places

Sleap 0 2.7 mi away ⇄
Clive 37 3.1 mi away ⇄
Prees 36 3.5 mi away ⇄
Myddle 37 4.4 mi away ⇄
Harmer Hill 32 4.6 mi away ⇄
Cockshutt 37 5.0 mi away ⇄
Prees Higher Heath 36 5.2 mi away ⇄
Shawbury 49 5.4 mi away ⇄
Tilstock 35 5.6 mi away ⇄
Hadnall 41 5.8 mi away ⇄
Welshampton 33 6.1 mi away ⇄
Hodnet 40 6.2 mi away ⇄

Frequently asked questions

Is Wem a nice place to live?

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

Wem has crime levels below the national average. Our safety score is 73/100. There were 497 crimes recorded in the area over the past 12 months.

What are the best schools in Wem?

Among the top-rated schools in Wem are St Peter's CofE Primary School and The Thomas Adams School, rated Good by Ofsted. There are 2 rated schools in Wem in total.

What are house prices like in Wem?

The current median house price in Wem is £240,000, around 16% below the England and Wales average. By property type: detached £350,000, semi-detached £234,000, terraced £192,000. Over the past five years, prices have risen by around 21%. There were 49 sales recorded in the past 12 months.

Wem in context

See where Wem ranks among the best places to live in Shropshire

Postcode districts in Wem

SY4 43 ⇄

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