Fairhaven Avenue is in West Mersea, Colchester and in Colchester district. CO5 8BS is located in the Mersea and Pyefleet electoral ward, within the English Parliamentary constituency of Harwich and North Essex. This postcode has been in use since 1980-01-01.
StreetScan combines information about Fairhaven Avenue, West Mersea, Colchester, CO5 8BS and displays a report on the quality of life in this place and its surroundings.
Nearby postcodes are: CO5 8XB, CO5 8DE, CO5 8BX, CO5 8BL, CO5 8PH, CO5 8BT, CO5 8BY, CO5 8BG, CO5 8BW.
In the UK, the overall gender distribution is approximately 49% male and 51% female. However, the area surrounding CO5 8BS, has a female population slightly higher than UK average, with 53.8% 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% | 53.8% | 0.8% | 51.0% | 2.8% |
| Male | 47% | 46.2% | -0.8% | 49.0% | -2.8% |
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 CO5 8BS there is a very large concentration of residents that are married - 54.7% 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 | 19.6% | 21.5% | 1.9% | 37.9% | -16.4% |
| Married: Opposite sex | 59.3% | 54.7% | -4.6% | 44.2% | 10.5% |
| Separated | 2% | 1.8% | -0.2% | 2.2% | -0.4% |
| Divorced | 12.6% | 15.2% | 2.6% | 9.1% | 6.1% |
| Widowed | 6.5% | 6.7% | 0.2% | 6.1% | 0.6% |
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 | 40% | 48.8% | 8.8% | 48.4% | 0.4% |
| Good health | 38.7% | 33.2% | -5.5% | 33.6% | -0.4% |
| Fair health | 15.2% | 13.6% | -1.6% | 12.7% | 0.9% |
| Bad health | 4.8% | 4% | -0.8% | 4.0% | 0.0% |
| Very bad health | 1.3% | 0.4% | -0.9% | 1.2% | -0.8% |
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 | 27.1% | 19.2% | -7.9% | 18.2% | 1.0% |
| 1-4 GCSEs or Equivalent | 10.1% | 9.8% | -0.3% | 9.6% | 0.2% |
| 5 or more GCSEs, an A-Level or 1-2 AS Levels | 21.1% | 17.4% | -3.7% | 13.4% | 4.0% |
| Apprenticeship | 7% | 5.8% | -1.2% | 5.3% | 0.5% |
| HNC, HND or 2+ A Levels | 8.5% | 16.5% | 8.0% | 16.9% | -0.4% |
| Degree or Similar | 20.6% | 29% | 8.4% | 33.8% | -4.8% |
| Other | 5.5% | 2.2% | -3.3% | 2.8% | -0.6% |
In this area, the population is predominantly white, with 99.2% 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) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.0% | 3.1% | -2.7% |
| Mixed White and Asian | 0.4% | 0% | -0.4% | 0.8% | -0.8% |
| Mixed White and Caribbean | 0% | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.9% | -0.5% |
| White | 98.7% | 99.2% | 0.5% | 81.4% | 17.8% |
| Arab | 0.4% | 0% | -0.4% | 0.6% | -0.6% |
In this area, 95.2% 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 | 96.5% | 95.2% | -1.3% | 83.2% | 12.0% |
| European Union | 2.6% | 2.8% | 0.2% | 6.1% | -3.3% |
| Africa | 0.4% | 0% | -0.4% | 2.7% | -2.7% |
| Middle East and Asia | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.0% | 5.6% | -5.2% |
| The Americas and the Caribbean | 0% | 1.6% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 0.3% |
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born in the UK | 96.1% | 95.2% | -0.9% | 83.2% | 12.0% |
| 10+ Years | 0% | 3.2% | 3.2% | 9.8% | -6.6% |
| 5-10 Years | 0% | 0.8% | 0.8% | 2.9% | -2.1% |
| 2-5 Years | 0.9% | 0.8% | -0.1% | 2.2% | -1.4% |
| Less than 2 years | 3% | 0% | -3.0% | 1.9% | -1.9% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 88.8% | 76.7% | 12.1% |
| Germany | 0.8% | 0.2% | 0.6% |
| Poland | 0.8% | 1.3% | -0.5% |
| North America and the Caribbean | 0.4% | 0.3% | 0.1% |
| Central and South America | 0.8% | 0.2% | 0.6% |
| No passport held | 8.4% | 13.5% | -5.1% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No religion | 45.8% | 37.2% | 8.6% |
| Christian | 43.8% | 46.2% | -2.4% |
| Sikh | 0.4% | 0.9% | -0.5% |
| Not answered | 10% | 6.0% | 4.0% |
Over the last 12 months, the overall crime rate around Fairhaven Avenue was 48.9 per 1,000 residents, which is 17.7% higher than the Mersea and Pyefleet average. The most reported crime type was Violence and sexual offences.
Fairhaven Avenue has the 9th highest crime rate of 26 local areas in Mersea and Pyefleet and the 279th lowest crime rate of 615 local areas in Colchester .
Violent and sexual offences accounted for around 26.3 crimes per 1,000 residents and have been falling year on year. Over the last decade, overall crime has risen by about 13.6%.

Households in this area have a similar level of wealth to the average household in England and Wales. 58% of analyzed areas in England and Wales have higher average household annual income than this area.

| Address | Sale Price | Sale Date | Price Estimate 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tinkerbell Cottage, 79 Fairhaven Avenue, Colchester, Essex Detached, an established residential building | £350,000 | 2025-09-30 | £350,000 |
| 95B Fairhaven Avenue, Colchester, Essex Detached, an established residential building | £660,000 | 2025-08-26 | £656,573 |
| 109 Fairhaven Avenue, Colchester, Essex Detached, an established residential building | £675,000 | 2024-11-28 | £682,120 |
| Tinkerbell Cottage, 79 Fairhaven Avenue, Colchester, Essex Detached, an established residential building | £317,000 | 2024-08-01 | £326,193 |
| 94 Fairhaven Avenue, Colchester, Essex Detached, an established residential building | £902,500 | 2024-03-27 | £937,739 |
CO5 8BS area has a low unemployment rate. According to Census 2021, 3% 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 CO5 8BS area is much higher than the country's average. According to Census 2011, 36% residents of this area were retired, while the average in the UK was 14%.
| Retired | 81 |
| Full-Time Employee | 56 |
| Part-Time Employee | 24 |
| Self-Employed | 24 |
| Long-Term Sick or disabled | 10 |
| Student (economically inactive) | 9 |
| Looking after home or family | 9 |
| Unemployed | 6 |
| Other | 4 |
| Full-Time Student (with or without job) | 2 |
| Human health and social work activities | 19 |
| Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motor cycles | 17 |
| Construction | 12 |
| Education | 11 |
| Manufacturing | 10 |
| Administrative and support service activities | 8 |
| Other | 5 |
| Accommodation and food service activities | 5 |
| Transport and storage | 5 |
| Professional, scientific and technical activities | 4 |
| Public administration and defence; compulsory social security | 4 |
| Financial and insurance activities | 3 |
| Information and communication | 2 |
| Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply | 1 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mersea Island School Barfield Road , West Mersea CO5 8QX | 3out of 4 | 823 yd | Foundation school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Helena Shop & Cafe | 47 Kingsland Road, West Mersea | 875 yd | |
| Old Forge Filling Station | 37 Kingsland Road, West Mersea | 890 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Fox | Fox Inn, 106 East Road | 1,082 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nupur | 37A Kingsland Road, West Mersea | 890 yd | |
| Lotus Kitchen | 31 Kingsland Road, West Mersea | 891 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| East of England Co-op | 43 Barfield Road, West Mersea | 971 yd |
| Facility Name | Sport Objects | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Mersea Island School BARFIELD ROAD | grass pitches | 965 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 | 55.9% |
| Percentage of premises that have Ultrafast Broadband (300Mbit/s or greater) coverage from fixed broadband | 55.9% |
| Percentage of premises that have coverage from a Gigabit capable service from fixed broadband | 55.9% |
| 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 | 35.5 Mbit/s |
| Average download speed | 97.3 Mbit/s |
| Minimum download speed | 1000 Mbit/s |
| Maximum download speed | 1000 Mbit/s |
| Median upload speed | 7.4 Mbit/s |
| Average upload speed | 15.4 Mbit/s |
| Maximum upload speed | 115 Mbit/s |
Broadband statistics are based on Ofcom's Communications Market Report (CMR) 2022.