Northfield Gardens is in Highwoods, Colchester and in Colchester district. CO4 9SS 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 Northfield Gardens, Highwoods, Colchester, CO4 9SS and displays a report on the quality of life in this place and its surroundings.
Nearby postcodes are: CO4 9SU, CO4 9SY, CO4 9SX, CO4 9TL, CO4 9SQ, CO4 9UE, CO4 9TP, CO4 9SL, CO4 9ST.
In the UK, the overall gender distribution is approximately 49% male and 51% female. The area surrounding CO4 9SS has a slightly higher male population, with 51.9% of residents being male. Several factors can contribute to this, including areas with industries or sectors that predominantly employ men, proximity to universities or technical schools with a higher enrollment of male students, presence of all-male or predominantly male institutions (military academies, boarding schools).
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Female | 51.3% | 48.1% | -3.2% | 51.0% | -2.9% |
| Male | 48.7% | 51.9% | 3.2% | 49.0% | 2.9% |
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 9SS there is a very large concentration of residents that are married - 59.8% 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 | 30.6% | 24.5% | -6.1% | 37.9% | -13.4% |
| Married: Opposite sex | 54.3% | 59.8% | 5.5% | 44.2% | 15.6% |
| Married: Same sex | 0.9% | 1% | 0.1% | 0.3% | 0.7% |
| Civil partnership: Same sex | 0% | 1% | 1.0% | 0.1% | 0.9% |
| Separated | 1.8% | 1% | -0.8% | 2.2% | -1.2% |
| Divorced | 8.2% | 7.8% | -0.4% | 9.1% | -1.3% |
| Widowed | 4.1% | 4.9% | 0.8% | 6.1% | -1.2% |
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.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Very good health | 44.9% | 46.1% | 1.2% | 48.4% | -2.3% |
| Good health | 37.6% | 36.1% | -1.5% | 33.6% | 2.5% |
| Fair health | 13.7% | 12% | -1.7% | 12.7% | -0.7% |
| Bad health | 3.8% | 4.1% | 0.3% | 4.0% | 0.1% |
| Very bad health | 0% | 1.7% | 1.7% | 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.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No qualifications | 13.7% | 12.3% | -1.4% | 18.2% | -5.9% |
| 1-4 GCSEs or Equivalent | 13.2% | 14.2% | 1.0% | 9.6% | 4.6% |
| 5 or more GCSEs, an A-Level or 1-2 AS Levels | 19.6% | 15.2% | -4.4% | 13.4% | 1.8% |
| Apprenticeship | 4.6% | 4.9% | 0.3% | 5.3% | -0.4% |
| HNC, HND or 2+ A Levels | 12.8% | 15.7% | 2.9% | 16.9% | -1.2% |
| Degree or Similar | 29.7% | 33.8% | 4.1% | 33.8% | 0.0% |
| Other | 6.4% | 3.9% | -2.5% | 2.8% | 1.1% |
This area closely mirrors the overall ethnic composition of the UK, with 85.5% of the population identifying as white, with UK average of 81.4%.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese | 1.9% | 2.5% | 0.6% | 0.7% | 1.8% |
| Indian | 0.8% | 4.1% | 3.3% | 3.1% | 1.0% |
| Other Asian | 1.5% | 2.1% | 0.6% | 1.6% | 0.5% |
| Black African | 0.4% | 1.2% | 0.8% | 2.5% | -1.3% |
| Other Black | 1.1% | 0% | -1.1% | 0.5% | -0.5% |
| Mixed White and African | 1.5% | 0% | -1.5% | 0.4% | -0.4% |
| Mixed Other | 0.8% | 0.4% | -0.4% | 0.8% | -0.4% |
| White | 92% | 85.5% | -6.5% | 81.4% | 4.1% |
| Arab | 0% | 2.1% | 2.1% | 0.6% | 1.5% |
| Other | 0% | 2.1% | 2.1% | 1.6% | 0.5% |
In this area, 86.3% 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 | 91.3% | 86.3% | -5.0% | 83.2% | 3.1% |
| European Union | 3% | 3.8% | 0.8% | 6.1% | -2.3% |
| Africa | 2.3% | 3.3% | 1.0% | 2.7% | 0.6% |
| Middle East and Asia | 3% | 5.8% | 2.8% | 5.6% | 0.2% |
| The Americas and the Caribbean | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.0% | 1.3% | -0.9% |
| Oceania | 0% | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.3% | 0.1% |
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born in the UK | 90.9% | 86.3% | -4.6% | 83.2% | 3.1% |
| 10+ Years | 0% | 10% | 10.0% | 9.8% | 0.2% |
| 5-10 Years | 1.9% | 2.9% | 1.0% | 2.9% | 0.0% |
| 2-5 Years | 0.8% | 0.8% | 0.0% | 2.2% | -1.4% |
| Less than 2 years | 6.5% | 0% | -6.5% | 1.9% | -1.9% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 84.3% | 76.7% | 7.6% |
| Ireland | 2.1% | 0.6% | 1.5% |
| France | 0.8% | 0.3% | 0.5% |
| Poland | 1.7% | 1.3% | 0.4% |
| North Africa | 1.7% | 0.1% | 1.6% |
| Eastern Asia | 1.2% | 0.3% | 0.9% |
| No passport held | 8.3% | 13.5% | -5.2% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No religion | 39.8% | 37.2% | 2.6% |
| Christian | 44% | 46.2% | -2.2% |
| Buddhist | 0.8% | 0.5% | 0.3% |
| Hindu | 4.6% | 1.7% | 2.9% |
| Muslim | 4.1% | 6.5% | -2.4% |
| Other religion | 0.4% | 0.6% | -0.2% |
| Not answered | 6.2% | 6.0% | 0.2% |
Over the last 12 months, the overall crime rate around Northfield Gardens was 15.9 per 1,000 residents, which is 82.0% lower than the Highwoods average. The most reported crime type was Violence and sexual offences.
Northfield Gardens has the 6th lowest crime rate of 59 local areas in Highwoods and the 70th lowest crime rate of 615 local areas in Colchester .
Violent and sexual offences accounted for around 12.0 crimes per 1,000 residents and have been rising year on year. Over the last decade, overall crime has fallen by about -32.0%.

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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 52 Northfield Gardens, Colchester, Essex Detached, an established residential building | £450,000 | 2025-03-14 | £450,470 |
| 68 Northfield Gardens, Colchester, Essex Detached, an established residential building | £391,000 | 2023-12-19 | £396,379 |
| 70 Northfield Gardens, Colchester, Essex Detached, an established residential building | £425,000 | 2022-06-06 | £425,000 |
| 48 Northfield Gardens, Colchester, Essex Detached, an established residential building | £265,000 | 2018-06-14 | £308,844 |
| 80 Northfield Gardens, Colchester, Essex Detached, an established residential building | £306,000 | 2017-08-25 | £360,133 |
CO4 9SS 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 CO4 9SS area is much higher than the country's average. According to Census 2011, 33% residents of this area were retired, while the average in the UK was 14%.
| Retired | 67 |
| Full-Time Employee | 52 |
| Part-Time Employee | 31 |
| Self-Employed | 17 |
| Looking after home or family | 11 |
| Long-Term Sick or disabled | 9 |
| Student (economically inactive) | 8 |
| Unemployed | 5 |
| Other | 1 |
| Full-Time Student (with or without job) | 0 |
| Human health and social work activities | 25 |
| Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motor cycles | 21 |
| Education | 18 |
| Financial and insurance activities | 17 |
| Construction | 10 |
| Public administration and defence; compulsory social security | 8 |
| Information and communication | 8 |
| Administrative and support service activities | 6 |
| Transport and storage | 6 |
| Professional, scientific and technical activities | 5 |
| Manufacturing | 5 |
| Other | 3 |
| Accommodation and food service activities | 2 |
| Water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation 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 | 485 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Brinkley Grove Primary School Rawlings Crescent , Highwoods CO4 9GF | 3out of 4 | 617 yd | Foundation school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Camulos Academy Whitmore Drive , Via Urbis Romanea CO4 6AL | 3out of 4 | 1,046 yd | Academy sponsor led | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Queen Boudica Primary School Cowper Crescent , CO4 5XT | 3out of 4 | 1,245 yd | Community 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 | 1,281 yd | Voluntary controlled school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Trinity School Brinkley Lane , CO4 9PU | - not rated | 490 yd | Free schools | No | Mixed | More About School |
| The Gilberd School Brinkley Lane , CO4 9PU | 4out of 4 | 500 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| St Helena School Sheepen Road , CO3 3LE | 3out of 4 | 2,823 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Colchester Academy Hawthorn Avenue , CO4 3JL | 3out of 4 | 3,064 yd | Academy sponsor led | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Colchester Royal Grammar School Lexden Road , CO3 3ND | 4out of 4 | 3,745 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Boys | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colchester Institute Sheepen Road , CO3 3LL | - not rated | 2,982 yd | Further education | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| The Sixth Form College Colchester North Hill , CO1 1SN | - not rated | 3,018 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 | 924 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 | 1,516 yd | Pupil referral unit | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Colchester High School Wellesley Road , CO3 3HD | - not rated | 3,636 yd | Other independent school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Kingswode Hoe School Sussex Road , CO3 3QJ | 3out of 4 | 3,639 yd | Academy special converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Oxford House School 2 Lexden Road , CO3 3NE | - not rated | 3,652 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesco Family Dining Ltd | Tesco Family Dining Tesco Supermarket, Highwoods Square | 578 yd | |
| Refresh Cafe | Unit 2, Phoenix Square | 972 yd | |
| Fitness For Less | Unit 2, Phoenix Square | 972 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delish hot pot catering services | 133 Gavin Way, Colchester | 669 yd |
| Facility Name | Sport Objects | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Highwood Community Primary School TYNEDALE SQUARE | grass pitches | 348 yd |
| Brinkley Grove Primary School RAWLINGS CRESCENT | grass pitches | 539 yd |
| Fitness4Less (Colchester) UNIT 2 UNIT 2 WYNCOLLS ROAD | health and fitness suite, swimming pool | 971 yd |
| Mill Road Playing Fields MILL ROAD | grass pitches | 995 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 | 72.2% |
| Percentage of premises that have Ultrafast Broadband (300Mbit/s or greater) coverage from fixed broadband | 72.2% |
| Percentage of premises that have coverage from a Gigabit capable service from fixed broadband | 72.2% |
| 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 | 56.5 Mbit/s |
| Average download speed | 128.7 Mbit/s |
| Minimum download speed | 500 Mbit/s |
| Maximum download speed | 500 Mbit/s |
| Median upload speed | 13.1 Mbit/s |
| Average upload speed | 15.3 Mbit/s |
| Maximum upload speed | 35 Mbit/s |
Broadband statistics are based on Ofcom's Communications Market Report (CMR) 2022.