High Elms is in Harpenden and in St Albans district. AL5 2JU is located in the Harpenden South electoral ward, within the English Parliamentary constituency of Hitchin and Harpenden. This postcode has been in use since 1980-01-01.
StreetScan combines information about High Elms, Harpenden, AL5 2JU and displays a report on the quality of life in this place and its surroundings.
Nearby postcodes are: AL5 2NF, AL5 2LB, AL5 2NH, AL5 2NE, AL5 2JT, AL5 2JY, AL5 2NQ, AL5 2NA, AL5 2NG.
In the UK, the overall gender distribution is approximately 49% male and 51% female. The local area around AL5 2JU is generally consistent with those figures, having a male population of 49.3%.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Female | 49.9% | 50.7% | 0.8% | 51.0% | -0.3% |
| Male | 50.1% | 49.3% | -0.8% | 49.0% | 0.3% |
Across the UK, the average relationship status breakdown is roughly 44% married, 38% single, 9% divorced, 6% widowed, and 2% separated.
In the immediate vicinity of AL5 2JU there is a very large concentration of residents that are married - 69.5% of the resident population. In contrast, the average marriage rate across the census is about 44%.
Areas with a high percentage of married residents are typically suburban neighborhoods, towns with good schools and family-friendly amenities, and regions with affordable, spacious housing options. Additionally, such areas can be popular among retirees.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single | 18.8% | 19.9% | 1.1% | 37.9% | -18.0% |
| Married: Opposite sex | 72.9% | 69.5% | -3.4% | 44.2% | 25.3% |
| Separated | 1% | 1.1% | 0.1% | 2.2% | -1.1% |
| Divorced | 3.1% | 3.7% | 0.6% | 9.1% | -5.4% |
| Widowed | 4.2% | 5.9% | 1.7% | 6.1% | -0.2% |
Across the UK, the average 48.4% rated their health as Very Good, 33.6% as Good, 12.7% as Fair, 4% as Bad, and 1.2% as Very Bad.
Population age significantly impacts residents' health. Additionally, socioeconomic status plays a crucial role: higher income levels and lower poverty rates are linked to better health outcomes. Affluent areas benefit from higher living standards, access to private healthcare, and healthier lifestyle choices.
This area has a high percentage of residents reporting their health as Good or Very Good (91.1%) compared to the average (82%). This typically indicates either a younger population or more affluent area.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Very good health | 61.1% | 69.9% | 8.8% | 48.4% | 21.5% |
| Good health | 29.4% | 21.2% | -8.2% | 33.6% | -12.4% |
| Fair health | 8.1% | 7% | -1.1% | 12.7% | -5.7% |
| Bad health | 1.1% | 2% | 0.9% | 4.0% | -2.0% |
| Very bad health | 0.3% | 0% | -0.3% | 1.2% | -1.2% |
During the 2021 census, the educational qualifications of residents across the UK were as follows: 18.2% had no qualifications, 9.6% had 1-4 GCSEs, 13.4% had 5 or more GCSEs and 1-2 A/AS Levels, 16.9% had 2 or more A Levels, 33.8% held a degree (or equivalent), and 5.4% had completed an apprenticeship.
In the area around AL5 2JU this area, 3.3% of residents have no qualifications. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 18.2%. This area stands out for its high percentage of residents with higher education degree or similar. The UK average is 33.8%, while in this area it is 64.9%.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No qualifications | 5.6% | 3.3% | -2.3% | 18.2% | -14.9% |
| 1-4 GCSEs or Equivalent | 9% | 6.3% | -2.7% | 9.6% | -3.3% |
| 5 or more GCSEs, an A-Level or 1-2 AS Levels | 13.2% | 11.1% | -2.1% | 13.4% | -2.3% |
| Apprenticeship | 2.4% | 2.2% | -0.2% | 5.3% | -3.1% |
| HNC, HND or 2+ A Levels | 8.3% | 11.1% | 2.8% | 16.9% | -5.8% |
| Degree or Similar | 60.4% | 64.9% | 4.5% | 33.8% | 31.1% |
| Other | 1% | 1.1% | 0.1% | 2.8% | -1.7% |
In this area, the population is predominantly white, with 94.8% identifying as such, significantly higher than the UK average of 81.4%. This indicates a lower level of ethnic diversity compared to the broader UK population.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese | 0.6% | 0% | -0.6% | 0.7% | -0.7% |
| Indian | 3.1% | 1.5% | -1.6% | 3.1% | -1.6% |
| Other Asian | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.0% | 1.6% | -1.3% |
| Black Caribbean | 0.3% | 0% | -0.3% | 1.0% | -1.0% |
| Mixed White and Asian | 1.1% | 2.9% | 1.8% | 0.8% | 2.1% |
| Mixed White and Caribbean | 0.8% | 0% | -0.8% | 0.9% | -0.9% |
| Mixed Other | 0% | 0.6% | 0.6% | 0.8% | -0.2% |
| White | 93.8% | 94.8% | 1.0% | 81.4% | 13.4% |
In this area, 88.4% of the population were born in the United Kingdom, which is similar to the UK average of 83.2%.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 90.2% | 88.4% | -1.8% | 83.2% | 5.2% |
| European Union | 1.4% | 2.9% | 1.5% | 6.1% | -3.2% |
| Rest of Europe | 0% | 0.6% | 0.6% | 0.8% | -0.2% |
| Africa | 2% | 0.6% | -1.4% | 2.7% | -2.1% |
| Middle East and Asia | 3.4% | 1.7% | -1.7% | 5.6% | -3.9% |
| The Americas and the Caribbean | 2.2% | 4.7% | 2.5% | 1.3% | 3.4% |
| Oceania | 0.8% | 1.2% | 0.4% | 0.3% | 0.9% |
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born in the UK | 88.8% | 88.9% | 0.1% | 83.2% | 5.7% |
| 10+ Years | 0.6% | 5.3% | 4.7% | 9.8% | -4.5% |
| 5-10 Years | 1.4% | 1.5% | 0.1% | 2.9% | -1.4% |
| 2-5 Years | 0.6% | 2.6% | 2.0% | 2.2% | 0.4% |
| Less than 2 years | 8.7% | 1.8% | -6.9% | 1.9% | -0.1% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 91.8% | 76.7% | 15.1% |
| Ireland | 1.8% | 0.6% | 1.2% |
| Italy | 0.9% | 0.6% | 0.3% |
| Other EU countries | 0.3% | 1.5% | -1.2% |
| Other Europe | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.1% |
| North America and the Caribbean | 2.6% | 0.3% | 2.3% |
| Oceania | 0.6% | 0.1% | 0.5% |
| No passport held | 1.8% | 13.5% | -11.7% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No religion | 31.5% | 37.2% | -5.7% |
| Christian | 63% | 46.2% | 16.8% |
| Hindu | 1.2% | 1.7% | -0.5% |
| Not answered | 4.4% | 6.0% | -1.6% |
Over the last 12 months, the overall crime rate around High Elms was 14.8 per 1,000 residents, which is 43.5% lower than the Harpenden South average. The most reported crime type was Anti-social behaviour.
High Elms has the 10th lowest crime rate of 40 local areas in Harpenden South and the 58th lowest crime rate of 430 local areas in St Albans .
Violent and sexual offences accounted for around 3.0 crimes per 1,000 residents and have remained broadly unchanged year on year. Over the last decade, overall crime has fallen by about -71.4%.

Households in this area have a much higher level of wealth compared to the average household in England and Wales. 97% of analyzed areas in England and Wales have lower average household annual income than this area.

| Address | Sale Price | Sale Date | Price Estimate 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 High Elms, Harpenden, Hertfordshire Detached, an established residential building | £2,425,000 | 2025-02-07 | £2,420,264 |
| 7 High Elms, Harpenden, Hertfordshire Detached, an established residential building | £2,600,000 | 2021-12-02 | £2,808,879 |
| 6A High Elms, Harpenden, Hertfordshire Other, an established residential building | £650,000 | 2021-06-03 | £677,732 |
| Summerwood, 4A High Elms, Harpenden, Hertfordshire Detached, an established residential building | £1,500,000 | 2021-05-13 | £1,736,127 |
| 4 High Elms, Harpenden, Hertfordshire Semi-Detached, an established residential building | £1,490,000 | 2020-12-03 | £1,713,084 |
AL5 2JU area has a very high level of entrepreneurship. Only 15% of streets have higher percent of entrepreneur residents. 14% of population in this area is self-employed, while the average in the UK is 9.7%. High number of entrepreneurs usually leads to relatively high economic growth, higher paid jobs and better quality of life in the area.
AL5 2JU area has a low unemployment rate. According to Census 2021, 1% residents of this area were unemployed, while the average in the UK was 4.83%. A low level of unemployment in an area indicates a strong job market, where most people who are seeking work can find employment. This generally reflects a healthy economy in the area.
The percentage of retired residents living in AL5 2JU area is much higher than the country's average. According to Census 2011, 31% residents of this area were retired, while the average in the UK was 14%.
| Retired | 85 |
| Full-Time Employee | 79 |
| Self-Employed | 37 |
| Part-Time Employee | 26 |
| Looking after home or family | 19 |
| Student (economically inactive) | 14 |
| Other | 5 |
| Unemployed | 4 |
| Full-Time Student (with or without job) | 3 |
| Long-Term Sick or disabled | 1 |
| Professional, scientific and technical activities | 24 |
| Human health and social work activities | 18 |
| Financial and insurance activities | 17 |
| Education | 15 |
| Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motor cycles | 13 |
| Information and communication | 11 |
| Real estate activities | 10 |
| Other | 10 |
| Construction | 9 |
| Manufacturing | 8 |
| Administrative and support service activities | 4 |
| Transport and storage | 2 |
| Accommodation and food service activities | 1 |
| Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply | 1 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Batford Nursery School Holcroft Road , AL5 5BQ | 4out of 4 | 3,439 yd | Local authority nursery school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Dominic Catholic Primary School St Dominic Catholic Primary School , Southdown Road AL5 1PF | 4out of 4 | 1,382 yd | Voluntary aided school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Harpenden Academy 25 Vaughan Road , AL5 4EL | 3out of 4 | 1,765 yd | Free schools | No | Mixed | More About School |
| The Grove Junior School Dark Lane , AL5 1QB | 3out of 4 | 1,841 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| St Nicholas CofE VA Primary School Church Green , AL5 2TP | 3out of 4 | 1,845 yd | Voluntary aided school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| The Grove Infant and Nursery School Dark Lane , AL5 1QD | 4out of 4 | 1,891 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roundwood Park School Roundwood Park , AL5 3AE | 4out of 4 | 2,410 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| St George's School Sun Lane , AL5 4TD | 4out of 4 | 2,532 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Sir John Lawes School Manland Way , AL5 4QP | 4out of 4 | 2,734 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Katherine Warington School Lower Luton Road , AL5 5FH | - not rated | 3,264 yd | Free schools | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Townsend VA Church of England High Oaks , AL3 6DR | 3out of 4 | 3,621 yd | Voluntary aided school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Hilda's School 28 Douglas Road , AL5 2ES | - not rated | 2,173 yd | Other independent school | Yes | Girls | More About School |
| Aldwickbury School Aldwickbury School , Wheathampstead Road AL5 1AD | - not rated | 2,481 yd | Other independent school | No | Boys | More About School |
| St Luke's School Crouch Hall Lane , Redbourn AL3 7ET | 2out of 4 | 3,336 yd | Foundation special school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| The King's School Elmfield , Ambrose Lane AL5 4DU | - not rated | 3,352 yd | Other independent school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Batchwood School Townsend Drive , AL3 5RP | 2out of 4 | 4,667 yd | Community special school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rothamsted Restaurant & Conference Centre | Rothamsted Research, West Common | 1,005 yd | |
| Fitt 41 | Rothamsted Research, West Common | 1,005 yd | |
| Rothamsted Enterprises Ltd | Rothamsted Manor, Harpenden | 1,012 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| The White Horse | Public House, Hatching Green | 359 yd | |
| Harpenden Golf Club | Redbourn Lane, Hatching Green | 641 yd | |
| Harpenden Common Golf Club | Cravells Road, East Common | 683 yd | |
| The Engineer Ph | 12 St Johns Road, Harpenden | 1,038 yd | |
| Harpenden Rugby Club | Redbourn Lane, Hatching Green | 1,059 yd |
| Facility Name | Sport Objects | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Harpenden Golf Club REDBOURN LANE | golf | 640 yd |
| Harpenden Common Golf Club EAST COMMON | golf | 684 yd |
| The Acre (Harpenden Rovers Fc) EAST COMMON | grass pitches | 690 yd |
| Harpenden Cricket Club WEST COMMON | grass pitches | 992 yd |
| Rothamsted Research WEST COMMON | grass pitches, tennis courts | 1,005 yd |
| Harpenden Rfc Squash Club REDBOURN LANE | squash courts | 1,058 yd |
| Harpenden Rfc Redbourn Lane | artificial grass pitch, grass pitches | 1,058 yd |
This statistics are based on Active Places Data - Contains Data © Sport England
| Percentage of premises that have Superfast Broadband (30Mbit/s or greater) coverage from fixed broadband | 100.0% |
| Percentage of premises that have Ultrafast Broadband (100Mbit/s or greater) coverage from fixed broadband | 100.0% |
| Percentage of premises that have Ultrafast Broadband (300Mbit/s or greater) coverage from fixed broadband | 100.0% |
| Percentage of premises that have coverage from a Gigabit capable service from fixed broadband | 100.0% |
| Percentage of premises unable to receive 2Mbit/s | 0.0% |
| Percentage of premises unable to receive 5Mbit/s | 0.0% |
| Percentage of premises unable to receive 10Mbit/s | 0.0% |
| Percentage of premises unable to receive 30Mbit/s | 0.0% |
| Median download speed | 50.3 Mbit/s |
| Average download speed | 275 Mbit/s |
| Minimum download speed | 1000 Mbit/s |
| Maximum download speed | 1000 Mbit/s |
| Median upload speed | 10 Mbit/s |
| Average upload speed | 36.6 Mbit/s |
| Maximum upload speed | 115 Mbit/s |
Broadband statistics are based on Ofcom's Communications Market Report (CMR) 2022.