Otham Lane is in Bearsted, Maidstone and in Maidstone district. ME15 8SJ is located in the Bearsted & Downswood electoral ward, within the English Parliamentary constituency of Faversham and Mid Kent. This postcode has been in use since 1980-01-01.
StreetScan combines information about Otham Lane, Bearsted, Maidstone, ME15 8SJ and displays a report on the quality of life in this place and its surroundings.
In the UK, the overall gender distribution is approximately 49% male and 51% female. However, the area surrounding ME15 8SJ, has a female population slightly higher than UK average, with 52.6% 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 | 52.2% | 52.6% | 0.4% | 51.0% | 1.6% |
| Male | 47.8% | 47.4% | -0.4% | 49.0% | -1.6% |
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 ME15 8SJ there is a very large concentration of residents that are married - 68.4% 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 | 15.7% | 17.9% | 2.2% | 37.9% | -20.0% |
| Married: Opposite sex | 69.1% | 68.4% | -0.7% | 44.2% | 24.2% |
| Separated | 2% | 0.4% | -1.6% | 2.2% | -1.8% |
| Divorced | 3.6% | 6.1% | 2.5% | 9.1% | -3.0% |
| Widowed | 9.6% | 7.2% | -2.4% | 6.1% | 1.1% |
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 (87.7%) 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 | 50.2% | 49% | -1.2% | 48.4% | 0.6% |
| Good health | 34.8% | 38.7% | 3.9% | 33.6% | 5.1% |
| Fair health | 11.6% | 11% | -0.6% | 12.7% | -1.7% |
| Bad health | 2.7% | 1.3% | -1.4% | 4.0% | -2.7% |
| Very bad health | 0.7% | 0% | -0.7% | 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.
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 49%.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No qualifications | 14.1% | 10.6% | -3.5% | 18.2% | -7.6% |
| 1-4 GCSEs or Equivalent | 9.6% | 6.8% | -2.8% | 9.6% | -2.8% |
| 5 or more GCSEs, an A-Level or 1-2 AS Levels | 16.5% | 13.7% | -2.8% | 13.4% | 0.3% |
| Apprenticeship | 2.8% | 4.9% | 2.1% | 5.3% | -0.4% |
| HNC, HND or 2+ A Levels | 7.6% | 14.8% | 7.2% | 16.9% | -2.1% |
| Degree or Similar | 43.8% | 49% | 5.2% | 33.8% | 15.2% |
| Other | 5.6% | 0% | -5.6% | 2.8% | -2.8% |
This area closely mirrors the overall ethnic composition of the UK, with 89.4% of the population identifying as white, with UK average of 81.4%.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese | 0% | 0.6% | 0.6% | 0.7% | -0.1% |
| Indian | 3.8% | 5.1% | 1.3% | 3.1% | 2.0% |
| Pakistani | 0% | 0.6% | 0.6% | 2.7% | -2.1% |
| Other Asian | 1% | 2.2% | 1.2% | 1.6% | 0.6% |
| Mixed White and Asian | 0.3% | 1.9% | 1.6% | 0.8% | 1.1% |
| White | 94.9% | 89.4% | -5.5% | 81.4% | 8.0% |
In this area, 88.7% 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 | 92.2% | 88.7% | -3.5% | 83.2% | 5.5% |
| European Union | 0.7% | 1.3% | 0.6% | 6.1% | -4.8% |
| Africa | 2% | 2.6% | 0.6% | 2.7% | -0.1% |
| Middle East and Asia | 3.4% | 3.6% | 0.2% | 5.6% | -2.0% |
| The Americas and the Caribbean | 1% | 2.6% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 1.3% |
| Oceania | 0.7% | 1% | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.7% |
| British Overseas | 0% | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.0% | 0.3% |
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born in the UK | 90.4% | 89.3% | -1.1% | 83.2% | 6.1% |
| 10+ Years | 0% | 9.1% | 9.1% | 9.8% | -0.7% |
| 5-10 Years | 0% | 0.3% | 0.3% | 2.9% | -2.6% |
| 2-5 Years | 0.3% | 1.3% | 1.0% | 2.2% | -0.9% |
| Less than 2 years | 9.2% | 0% | -9.2% | 1.9% | -1.9% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 92.3% | 76.7% | 15.6% |
| Ireland | 1.6% | 0.6% | 1.0% |
| Other EU countries | 0.3% | 1.5% | -1.2% |
| Southern Asia | 0.3% | 1.2% | -0.9% |
| South-East Asia | 0.6% | 0.2% | 0.4% |
| Oceania | 0.6% | 0.1% | 0.5% |
| No passport held | 4.2% | 13.5% | -9.3% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No religion | 28.9% | 37.2% | -8.3% |
| Christian | 59.4% | 46.2% | 13.2% |
| Hindu | 2.9% | 1.7% | 1.2% |
| Jewish | 0.6% | 0.5% | 0.1% |
| Muslim | 0.6% | 6.5% | -5.9% |
| Not answered | 7.5% | 6.0% | 1.5% |
Over the last 12 months, the overall crime rate around Otham Lane was 73.0 per 1,000 residents, which is 49.6% higher than the Bearsted & Downswood average. The most reported crime type was Violence and sexual offences.
Otham Lane has the 28th highest crime rate of 107 local areas in Bearsted & Downswood and the 179th highest crime rate of 511 local areas in Maidstone .
Violent and sexual offences accounted for around 34.9 crimes per 1,000 residents and have been rising year on year. Over the last decade, overall crime has fallen by about -61.8%.

Households in this area have a higher level of wealth to the average household in England and Wales. 79% of analyzed areas in England and Wales have lower average household annual income than this area.

| Address | Sale Price | Sale Date | Price Estimate 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Spinney Otham Lane, Maidstone, Kent Detached, an established residential building | £1,395,000 | 2023-10-16 | £1,431,860 |
| Tanglewood Cottage Otham Lane, Maidstone, Kent Detached, an established residential building | £850,000 | 2022-11-24 | £845,813 |
| Thornham Mill Place Otham Lane, Maidstone, Kent Detached, an established residential building | £940,000 | 2019-05-20 | £1,114,319 |
| By France Otham Lane, Maidstone, Kent Detached, an established residential building | £920,000 | 2017-08-30 | £1,079,210 |
| Lone Oak Otham Lane, Maidstone, Kent Detached, an established residential building | £995,000 | 2015-02-09 | £1,448,055 |
ME15 8SJ area has a high level of entrepreneurship. Only 25% of streets have higher percent of entrepreneur residents. 12% 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.
ME15 8SJ 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 ME15 8SJ area is much higher than the country's average. According to Census 2011, 38% residents of this area were retired, while the average in the UK was 14%.
| Retired | 99 |
| Full-Time Employee | 67 |
| Part-Time Employee | 34 |
| Self-Employed | 31 |
| Looking after home or family | 12 |
| Student (economically inactive) | 10 |
| Full-Time Student (with or without job) | 6 |
| Unemployed | 4 |
| Long-Term Sick or disabled | 1 |
| Other | 0 |
| Human health and social work activities | 20 |
| Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motor cycles | 17 |
| Professional, scientific and technical activities | 16 |
| Financial and insurance activities | 16 |
| Construction | 15 |
| Education | 13 |
| Administrative and support service activities | 10 |
| Manufacturing | 6 |
| Public administration and defence; compulsory social security | 5 |
| Other | 4 |
| Real estate activities | 3 |
| Information and communication | 2 |
| Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply | 1 |
| Accommodation and food service activities | 1 |
| Transport and storage | 1 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thurnham Church of England Infant School The Landway , Bearsted ME14 4BL | 3out of 4 | 1,217 yd | Voluntary controlled school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Madginford Park Junior School Egremont Road , Bearsted ME15 8LH | - not rated | 1,256 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Madginford Primary School Egremont Road , Bearsted ME15 8LH | 3out of 4 | 1,262 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Roseacre Junior School The Landway , Bearsted ME14 4BL | 3out of 4 | 1,275 yd | Foundation school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Maidstone, St John's Church of England Primary School Provender Way , Grove Green ME14 5TZ | - not rated | 2,564 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School of Science and Technology Maidstone New Cut Road , ME14 5GQ | 4out of 4 | 2,969 yd | Free schools | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Valley Park School Huntsman Lane , ME14 5DT | - not rated | 3,391 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Vinters Boys' School Huntsman Lane , ME14 5DT | - not rated | 3,391 yd | Community school | Not Applicable | Boys | More About School |
| Valley Park Community School Huntsman Lane , ME14 5DT | - not rated | 3,391 yd | Foundation school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Senacre Technology College Sutton Road , ME15 9DT | - not rated | 3,398 yd | Foundation school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eylesden Court Preparatory School Bearsted House , Bearsted ME14 4EB | - not rated | 977 yd | Other independent school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| King's Reach Education St Hilary's House , Reculver Walk ME15 8SW | - not rated | 2,499 yd | Other independent special school | Not Applicable | Boys | More About School |
| Leigh Academy Snowfields Popesfield Way , ME14 5GA | 4out of 4 | 2,662 yd | Free schools special | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Sunrise Independent School Sutton Road , Langley ME17 3ND | - not rated | 3,048 yd | Other independent school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Five Acre Wood School Boughton Lane , ME15 9QF | 4out of 4 | 4,112 yd | Foundation special school | No | Mixed | More About School |
School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costa Coffee | 3-5 Yeoman Court, Ashford Road | 726 yd | |
| The Cavendish | 8 Cavendish Way, Bearsted | 838 yd | |
| The Yeoman | The Kentish Yeoman Public House, 139 Ashford Road | 938 yd | |
| Fed On The Green | Amazon, The Green | 1,082 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fish On The Green | The Green, Bearsted | 1,049 yd | |
| The Oak On The Green | The Street, Bearsted | 1,052 yd | |
| The Orchard | The Orchard Spot, Spot Lane | 1,084 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marino Fish Bar | 140B Ashford Road, Bearsted | 704 yd | |
| Yummy | Cavendish House, 6 Cavendish Way | 797 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesco | Tesco Bearsted Express, 143 Ashford Road | 470 yd |
| Facility Name | Sport Objects | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Marriott Leisure & Country Club (Tudor Park) ASHFORD ROAD | golf, health and fitness suite, swimming pool, tennis courts | 453 yd |
| Bearsted Woodlands Trust Church Landway | grass pitches | 543 yd |
| Elizabeth Harvie Field CROSS KEYS | grass pitches | 615 yd |
| Bearsted And Thurnham Lawn Tennis Club BEARSTED AND THURNHAM LAWN TENNIS CLUB BEARSTED AND THURNHAM LAWN TENNIS CLUB CHURCH LANDWAY | tennis courts | 666 yd |
| Mallards Way LENSIDE DRIVE | grass pitches | 992 yd |
| Bearsted Green THE GREEN | grass pitches | 1,066 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 | 50.0% |
| 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 | 50.0% |
| Median download speed | 19.6 Mbit/s |
| Average download speed | 21.4 Mbit/s |
| Minimum download speed | 34.86 Mbit/s |
| Maximum download speed | 34.86 Mbit/s |
| Median upload speed | 4 Mbit/s |
| Average upload speed | 4.4 Mbit/s |
| Maximum upload speed | 8.81 Mbit/s |
Broadband statistics are based on Ofcom's Communications Market Report (CMR) 2022.