Highwoods Square is in Highwoods, Colchester and in Colchester district. CO4 9ED is located in the Highwoods electoral ward, within the English Parliamentary constituency of Colchester. This postcode has been in use since 2002-06-01.
StreetScan combines information about Highwoods Square, Highwoods, Colchester, CO4 9ED and displays a report on the quality of life in this place and its surroundings.
Nearby postcodes are: CO4 9SN, CO4 9SW, CO4 9RJ, CO4 9RW, CO4 9GD, CO4 9TH, CO4 9GB, CO4 9TJ, CO4 9RN.
In the UK, the overall gender distribution is approximately 49% male and 51% female. However, the area surrounding CO4 9ED, 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 | 47.6% | 53.5% | 5.9% | 51.0% | 2.5% |
| Male | 52.4% | 46.5% | -5.9% | 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 CO4 9ED there is a very large concentration of residents that are married - 70.7% 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 | 19.8% | 19.7% | -0.1% | 37.9% | -18.2% |
| Married: Opposite sex | 68.3% | 70.7% | 2.4% | 44.2% | 26.5% |
| Separated | 1.1% | 0.7% | -0.4% | 2.2% | -1.5% |
| Divorced | 5.8% | 2.4% | -3.4% | 9.1% | -6.7% |
| Widowed | 5% | 6.6% | 1.6% | 6.1% | 0.5% |
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 high percentage of residents reporting their health as Good or Very Good (88.2%) 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 | 55.9% | 58.8% | 2.9% | 48.4% | 10.4% |
| Good health | 29% | 29.4% | 0.4% | 33.6% | -4.2% |
| Fair health | 12.1% | 10.2% | -1.9% | 12.7% | -2.5% |
| Bad health | 2.1% | 1.3% | -0.8% | 4.0% | -2.7% |
| Very bad health | 0.9% | 0.3% | -0.6% | 1.2% | -0.9% |
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 CO4 9ED this area, 8.4% 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 44.9%.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No qualifications | 10.8% | 8.4% | -2.4% | 18.2% | -9.8% |
| 1-4 GCSEs or Equivalent | 10.1% | 6.6% | -3.5% | 9.6% | -3.0% |
| 5 or more GCSEs, an A-Level or 1-2 AS Levels | 17.3% | 14.3% | -3.0% | 13.4% | 0.9% |
| Apprenticeship | 2.5% | 4.5% | 2.0% | 5.3% | -0.8% |
| HNC, HND or 2+ A Levels | 14% | 18.1% | 4.1% | 16.9% | 1.2% |
| Degree or Similar | 43.2% | 44.9% | 1.7% | 33.8% | 11.1% |
| Other | 2.2% | 3.1% | 0.9% | 2.8% | 0.3% |
This area closely mirrors the overall ethnic composition of the UK, with 84.6% of the population identifying as white, with UK average of 81.4%.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese | 1.2% | 1.9% | 0.7% | 0.7% | 1.2% |
| Indian | 2.1% | 5.1% | 3.0% | 3.1% | 2.0% |
| Other Asian | 0.3% | 0% | -0.3% | 1.6% | -1.6% |
| Black African | 1.2% | 1.6% | 0.4% | 2.5% | -0.9% |
| Black Caribbean | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.0% | 1.0% | -0.7% |
| Mixed White and Asian | 0.3% | 1.1% | 0.8% | 0.8% | 0.3% |
| Mixed White and Caribbean | 0.6% | 1.4% | 0.8% | 0.9% | 0.5% |
| Mixed Other | 0.9% | 0% | -0.9% | 0.8% | -0.8% |
| White | 92.3% | 84.6% | -7.7% | 81.4% | 3.2% |
| Arab | 0.6% | 2.7% | 2.1% | 0.6% | 2.1% |
| Other | 0.3% | 1.4% | 1.1% | 1.6% | -0.2% |
In this area, 87.8% 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 | 93.8% | 87.8% | -6.0% | 83.2% | 4.6% |
| European Union | 0.9% | 2.7% | 1.8% | 6.1% | -3.4% |
| Rest of Europe | 0.6% | 0.3% | -0.3% | 0.8% | -0.5% |
| Africa | 1.2% | 1.1% | -0.1% | 2.7% | -1.6% |
| Middle East and Asia | 3% | 7.8% | 4.8% | 5.6% | 2.2% |
| The Americas and the Caribbean | 0.6% | 0.3% | -0.3% | 1.3% | -1.0% |
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born in the UK | 92.9% | 87.8% | -5.1% | 83.2% | 4.6% |
| 10+ Years | 0% | 9.7% | 9.7% | 9.8% | -0.1% |
| 5-10 Years | 0% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 2.9% | -1.5% |
| 2-5 Years | 0.9% | 0.8% | -0.1% | 2.2% | -1.4% |
| Less than 2 years | 6.2% | 0.3% | -5.9% | 1.9% | -1.6% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 86.8% | 76.7% | 10.1% |
| Ireland | 1.1% | 0.6% | 0.5% |
| Other EU countries | 1.6% | 1.5% | 0.1% |
| Middle East | 0.8% | 0.1% | 0.7% |
| Eastern Asia | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.0% |
| Southern Asia | 1.1% | 1.2% | -0.1% |
| South-East Asia | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.1% |
| North America and the Caribbean | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.0% |
| No passport held | 7.8% | 13.5% | -5.7% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No religion | 33.6% | 37.2% | -3.6% |
| Christian | 48.5% | 46.2% | 2.3% |
| Buddhist | 0.8% | 0.5% | 0.3% |
| Hindu | 3.8% | 1.7% | 2.1% |
| Jewish | 0.8% | 0.5% | 0.3% |
| Muslim | 2.2% | 6.5% | -4.3% |
| Other religion | 0.5% | 0.6% | -0.1% |
| Not answered | 9.8% | 6.0% | 3.8% |
Over the last 12 months, the overall crime rate around Highwoods Square was 127.5 per 1,000 residents, which is 43.8% higher than the Highwoods average. The most reported crime type was Violence and sexual offences.
Highwoods Square has the 15th highest crime rate of 59 local areas in Highwoods and the 109th highest crime rate of 615 local areas in Colchester .
Violent and sexual offences accounted for around 61.3 crimes per 1,000 residents and have been rising year on year. Over the last decade, overall crime has fallen by about -85.5%.

Households in this area have a slightly higher level of wealth to the average household in England and Wales. 65% of analyzed areas in England and Wales have lower average household annual income than this area.

| Address | Sale Price | Sale Date | Price Estimate 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 Highwoods Square, Colchester, Essex Other, an established residential building | £13,400 | 2017-12-20 | £13,896 |
CO4 9ED 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.
| Full-Time Employee | 102 |
| Retired | 76 |
| Part-Time Employee | 36 |
| Self-Employed | 31 |
| Student (economically inactive) | 14 |
| Looking after home or family | 11 |
| Full-Time Student (with or without job) | 7 |
| Other | 6 |
| Unemployed | 3 |
| Long-Term Sick or disabled | 0 |
| Education | 30 |
| Financial and insurance activities | 20 |
| Construction | 20 |
| Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motor cycles | 20 |
| Professional, scientific and technical activities | 20 |
| Human health and social work activities | 18 |
| Other | 11 |
| Transport and storage | 8 |
| Manufacturing | 7 |
| Administrative and support service activities | 5 |
| Public administration and defence; compulsory social security | 5 |
| Information and communication | 4 |
| Accommodation and food service activities | 2 |
| Agriculture, forestry and fishing | 1 |
| Real estate activities | 1 |
| Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply | 1 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highwoods Community Primary School Tynedale Square , Highwoods CO4 9SN | 3out of 4 | 94 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Brinkley Grove Primary School Rawlings Crescent , Highwoods CO4 9GF | 3out of 4 | 636 yd | Foundation school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| St John's Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, Colchester Clay Lane Grove , CO4 0HH | 3out of 4 | 748 yd | Voluntary controlled school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Friars Grove Primary School Upland Drive , CO4 0PZ | 3out of 4 | 1,128 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Queen Boudica Primary School Cowper Crescent , CO4 5XT | 3out of 4 | 1,473 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Gilberd School Brinkley Lane , CO4 9PU | 4out of 4 | 613 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| The Trinity School Brinkley Lane , CO4 9PU | - not rated | 659 yd | Free schools | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Colchester Academy Hawthorn Avenue , CO4 3JL | 3out of 4 | 2,505 yd | Academy sponsor led | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| St Helena School Sheepen Road , CO3 3LE | 3out of 4 | 2,898 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Colchester Royal Grammar School Lexden Road , CO3 3ND | 4out of 4 | 3,722 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Boys | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Sixth Form College Colchester North Hill , CO1 1SN | - not rated | 2,958 yd | Further education | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Colchester Institute Sheepen Road , CO3 3LL | - not rated | 3,029 yd | Further education | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North East Essex Co-operative Academy Turner Road , Mile End CO4 5LB | 3out of 4 | 1,427 yd | Academy alternative provision converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| The St Aubyn Centre Education Department St Aubyn Centre , CO4 5HG | 4out of 4 | 2,089 yd | Pupil referral unit | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Colchester High School Wellesley Road , CO3 3HD | - not rated | 3,578 yd | Other independent school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Oxford House School 2 Lexden Road , CO3 3NE | - not rated | 3,628 yd | Other independent school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Kingswode Hoe School Sussex Road , CO3 3QJ | 3out of 4 | 3,713 yd | Academy special converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesco Family Dining Ltd | Tesco Family Dining Tesco Supermarket, Highwoods Square | 5 yd | |
| Refresh Cafe | Unit 2, Phoenix Square | 832 yd | |
| Fitness For Less | Unit 2, Phoenix Square | 832 yd |
| Facility Name | Sport Objects | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Highwood Community Primary School TYNEDALE SQUARE | grass pitches | 238 yd |
| St Johns C Of E Primary School CLAY LANE GROVE | grass pitches | 612 yd |
| Brinkley Grove Primary School RAWLINGS CRESCENT | grass pitches | 688 yd |
| Fitness4Less (Colchester) UNIT 2 UNIT 2 WYNCOLLS ROAD | health and fitness suite, swimming pool | 834 yd |
| Friars Grove Primary School UPLAND DRIVE | grass pitches, swimming pool | 1,009 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 | 0.0% |
| Percentage of premises that have Ultrafast Broadband (300Mbit/s or greater) coverage from fixed broadband | 0.0% |
| Percentage of premises that have coverage from a Gigabit capable service from fixed broadband | 0.0% |
| 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% |
Broadband statistics are based on Ofcom's Communications Market Report (CMR) 2022.