Waterford Gardens is in Highcliffe, Christchurch and in Christchurch district. BH23 5DP is located in the Highcliffe & Walkford electoral ward, within the English Parliamentary constituency of Christchurch. This postcode has been in use since 1980-01-01.
StreetScan combines information about Waterford Gardens, Highcliffe, Christchurch, BH23 5DP and displays a report on the quality of life in this place and its surroundings.
Nearby postcodes are: BH23 5DW, BH23 5DN, BH23 5LH, BH23 5EE, BH23 5FD, BH23 5DT, BH23 5EB, BH23 5DE, BH23 5HX.
In the UK, the overall gender distribution is approximately 49% male and 51% female. However, the area surrounding BH23 5DP, has a female population slightly higher than UK average, with 53.5% of residents being female. Several factors can contribute to this. Women generally live longer than men, resulting in a higher proportion of women in neighborhoods with significant elderly populations. Typically, as people grow older, they tend to relocate from city center addresses to suburban areas, smaller towns, and rural locations. Consequently, these areas often have a higher number of females. A higher female population can also be found in areas with industries that employ more women, such as healthcare, education, and retail.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Female | 53% | 53.5% | 0.5% | 51.0% | 2.5% |
| Male | 47% | 46.5% | -0.5% | 49.0% | -2.5% |
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 BH23 5DP there is a very large concentration of residents that are married - 62.9% 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 | 13.6% | 12.7% | -0.9% | 37.9% | -25.2% |
| Married: Opposite sex | 60.9% | 62.9% | 2.0% | 44.2% | 18.7% |
| Married: Same sex | 0% | 0.8% | 0.8% | 0.3% | 0.5% |
| Separated | 0.9% | 0% | -0.9% | 2.2% | -2.2% |
| Divorced | 6.8% | 8% | 1.2% | 9.1% | -1.1% |
| Widowed | 17.7% | 15.6% | -2.1% | 6.1% | 9.5% |
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 lower percentage of residents reporting their health as Good or Very Good (68.1%) compared to the average (82%). This typically indicates either an older population or social deprivation in the area.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Very good health | 30.2% | 29.3% | -0.9% | 48.4% | -19.1% |
| Good health | 39.7% | 38.8% | -0.9% | 33.6% | 5.2% |
| Fair health | 22.4% | 26.9% | 4.5% | 12.7% | 14.2% |
| Bad health | 6% | 3.3% | -2.7% | 4.0% | -0.7% |
| Very bad health | 1.7% | 1.7% | 0.0% | 1.2% | 0.5% |
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.
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 43.5%.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No qualifications | 16.8% | 14.8% | -2.0% | 18.2% | -3.4% |
| 1-4 GCSEs or Equivalent | 9.1% | 8.4% | -0.7% | 9.6% | -1.2% |
| 5 or more GCSEs, an A-Level or 1-2 AS Levels | 13.6% | 13.9% | 0.3% | 13.4% | 0.5% |
| Apprenticeship | 2.3% | 5.1% | 2.8% | 5.3% | -0.2% |
| HNC, HND or 2+ A Levels | 12.7% | 10.1% | -2.6% | 16.9% | -6.8% |
| Degree or Similar | 41.4% | 43.5% | 2.1% | 33.8% | 9.7% |
| Other | 4.1% | 4.2% | 0.1% | 2.8% | 1.4% |
In this area, the population is predominantly white, with 97.1% 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% | 0.8% | 0.8% | 0.7% | 0.1% |
| Black Caribbean | 0% | 0.4% | 0.4% | 1.0% | -0.6% |
| Mixed White and Asian | 0.4% | 0.8% | 0.4% | 0.8% | 0.0% |
| Mixed White and Caribbean | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.0% | 0.9% | -0.5% |
| Mixed Other | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.0% | 0.8% | -0.4% |
| White | 98.7% | 97.1% | -1.6% | 81.4% | 15.7% |
In this area, 93.8% of the population were born in the United Kingdom, which is higher than the UK average of 83.2%.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 96.1% | 93.8% | -2.3% | 83.2% | 10.6% |
| European Union | 1.3% | 2.5% | 1.2% | 6.1% | -3.6% |
| Africa | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.0% | 2.7% | -2.3% |
| Middle East and Asia | 1.3% | 1.7% | 0.4% | 5.6% | -3.9% |
| The Americas and the Caribbean | 0.4% | 1.2% | 0.8% | 1.3% | -0.1% |
| Oceania | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.0% | 0.3% | 0.1% |
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born in the UK | 95.7% | 93.8% | -1.9% | 83.2% | 10.6% |
| 10+ Years | 0% | 5.8% | 5.8% | 9.8% | -4.0% |
| 5-10 Years | 0.9% | 0.4% | -0.5% | 2.9% | -2.5% |
| 2-5 Years | 0.4% | 0% | -0.4% | 2.2% | -2.2% |
| Less than 2 years | 3% | 0% | -3.0% | 1.9% | -1.9% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 87.1% | 76.7% | 10.4% |
| Ireland | 2.9% | 0.6% | 2.3% |
| North America and the Caribbean | 0.4% | 0.3% | 0.1% |
| Oceania | 0.4% | 0.1% | 0.3% |
| No passport held | 9.1% | 13.5% | -4.4% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No religion | 21.9% | 37.2% | -15.3% |
| Christian | 71.9% | 46.2% | 25.7% |
| Buddhist | 0.4% | 0.5% | -0.1% |
| Hindu | 0.4% | 1.7% | -1.3% |
| Not answered | 5.4% | 6.0% | -0.6% |
Over the last 12 months, the overall crime rate around Waterford Gardens was 48.4 per 1,000 residents, which is 67.2% higher than the Highcliffe & Walkford average. The most reported crime type was Anti-social behaviour.
Waterford Gardens has the 10th highest crime rate of 45 local areas in Highcliffe & Walkford and the 567th lowest crime rate of 1,191 local areas in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole .
Violent and sexual offences accounted for around 8.1 crimes per 1,000 residents and have been rising year on year. Over the last decade, overall crime has fallen by about -10.9%.

Households in this area have a slightly higher level of wealth to the average household in England and Wales. 61% of analyzed areas in England and Wales have lower average household annual income than this area.

| Address | Sale Price | Sale Date | Price Estimate 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 Waterford Gardens, Christchurch, Bournemouth, Christchurch And Poole Semi-Detached, an established residential building | £700,000 | 2023-01-18 | £669,900 |
| 20 Waterford Gardens, Christchurch, Bournemouth, Christchurch And Poole Detached, an established residential building | £642,000 | 2021-09-21 | £700,500 |
| 12 Waterford Gardens, Christchurch, Dorset Detached, an established residential building | £587,000 | 2017-11-17 | £713,878 |
| 6 Waterford Gardens, Christchurch, Dorset Detached, an established residential building | £625,000 | 2016-12-22 | £792,062 |
| 18 Waterford Gardens, Christchurch, Dorset Detached, an established residential building | £505,000 | 2016-10-14 | £651,478 |
BH23 5DP area has a low unemployment rate. According to Census 2021, 2% 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 BH23 5DP area is much higher than the country's average. According to Census 2011, 66% residents of this area were retired, while the average in the UK was 14%.
| Retired | 160 |
| Full-Time Employee | 30 |
| Part-Time Employee | 13 |
| Self-Employed | 12 |
| Looking after home or family | 7 |
| Other | 5 |
| Student (economically inactive) | 5 |
| Unemployed | 5 |
| Long-Term Sick or disabled | 3 |
| Full-Time Student (with or without job) | 1 |
| Human health and social work activities | 8 |
| Professional, scientific and technical activities | 7 |
| Public administration and defence; compulsory social security | 7 |
| Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motor cycles | 6 |
| Accommodation and food service activities | 6 |
| Manufacturing | 5 |
| Construction | 5 |
| Financial and insurance activities | 5 |
| Education | 4 |
| Other | 3 |
| Administrative and support service activities | 3 |
| Transport and storage | 2 |
| Real estate activities | 1 |
| Information and communication | 1 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highcliffe St Mark Primary School Greenways , Highcliffe BH23 5AZ | 3out of 4 | 689 yd | Foundation school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| New Milton Junior School Old Milton Road , BH25 6DS | 3out of 4 | 3,257 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| New Milton Infant School Lymington Road , BH25 6PZ | 4out of 4 | 3,267 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Christchurch Dorset Road , Somerford BH23 3DA | 3out of 4 | 3,444 yd | Voluntary aided school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Mudeford Junior School Mudeford Lane , Mudeford BH23 3HP | 4out of 4 | 3,899 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highcliffe School Parkside , Highcliffe BH23 4QD | 3out of 4 | 1,757 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| The Arnewood School Gore Road , BH25 6RS | 3out of 4 | 3,135 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| The Grange School Redvers Road , BH23 3AU | 1out of 4 | 4,186 yd | Academy sponsor led | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Eaglewood School Culver Road , BH25 6SY | 3out of 4 | 2,830 yd | Free schools alternative provision | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Durlston Court School Becton Lane , Barton-on-Sea BH25 7AQ | - not rated | 3,501 yd | Other independent school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Ballard School Fernhill Lane , BH25 5SU | - not rated | 4,189 yd | Other independent school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Coffee Garden | 291 Lymington Road | 157 yd | |
| Bistro My Way Ltd | 253 Lymington Road | 177 yd | |
| Similan Thai | 251 Lymington Road | 183 yd | |
| Catz Pyjamas | 318 Lymington Road | 197 yd | |
| Gifted Cafe | 316 Lymington Road | 211 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Governor | 364 Lymington Road | 222 yd | |
| The Globe Inn | 266 Lymington Road | 228 yd | |
| Highcliffe Sports & Social Club | 387 Lymington Road | 323 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chinatown Takeaway | 249 Lymington Road | 183 yd | |
| Honeymoon Chinese Takeaway | 360 Lymington Road | 222 yd | |
| The Catch Fish and Chips | 331 Lymington Road | 257 yd | |
| Top Chef | Unit 3, Highcliffe Corner, 399 Lymington Road | 389 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Co-op | 309-311 Lymington Road | 170 yd | |
| Tesco | Lymington Road | 371 yd |
| Facility Name | Sport Objects | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Highcliffe Recreation Ground BEACON DRIVE | grass pitches | 386 yd |
| Greystone House WATERFORD ROAD | 416 yd | |
| St Marks Church Hall HINTON WOOD AVENUE | 789 yd | |
| Highcliffe St Mark Primary School GREENWAYS | grass pitches, swimming pool | 794 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 | 24.9 Mbit/s |
| Average download speed | 101.8 Mbit/s |
| Minimum download speed | 350 Mbit/s |
| Maximum download speed | 350 Mbit/s |
| Median upload speed | 6.5 Mbit/s |
| Average upload speed | 10.7 Mbit/s |
| Maximum upload speed | 35 Mbit/s |
Broadband statistics are based on Ofcom's Communications Market Report (CMR) 2022.