The Shades is in Rochester and in Rochester Upon Medway district. ME2 2UB is located in the Strood West electoral ward, within the English Parliamentary constituency of Rochester and Strood. This postcode has been in use since 1980-01-01.
StreetScan combines information about The Shades, Rochester, ME2 2UB and displays a report on the quality of life in this place and its surroundings.
Nearby postcodes are: ME2 2TY, ME2 2TX, ME2 2UA, ME2 2TU, ME2 2UD, ME2 2TT, ME2 2TZ, ME2 3UF, ME2 2TD.
In the UK, the overall gender distribution is approximately 49% male and 51% female. The local area around ME2 2UB is generally consistent with those figures, having a male population of 49.7%.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Female | 50.3% | 50.3% | 0.0% | 51.0% | -0.7% |
| Male | 49.7% | 49.7% | 0.0% | 49.0% | 0.7% |
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 ME2 2UB there is a very large concentration of residents that are married - 58.2% 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 | 22.3% | 26.6% | 4.3% | 37.9% | -11.3% |
| Married: Opposite sex | 59.6% | 58.2% | -1.4% | 44.2% | 14.0% |
| Married: Same sex | 0% | 0.8% | 0.8% | 0.3% | 0.5% |
| Separated | 2.6% | 0.8% | -1.8% | 2.2% | -1.4% |
| Divorced | 7.2% | 8.7% | 1.5% | 9.1% | -0.4% |
| Widowed | 8.3% | 4.9% | -3.4% | 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.
This area has a high percentage of residents reporting their health as Good or Very Good (86.4%) 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 | 44.9% | 48.7% | 3.8% | 48.4% | 0.3% |
| Good health | 38.6% | 37.7% | -0.9% | 33.6% | 4.1% |
| Fair health | 12.7% | 10.1% | -2.6% | 12.7% | -2.6% |
| Bad health | 2.8% | 3.1% | 0.3% | 4.0% | -0.9% |
| 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.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No qualifications | 23.8% | 15.6% | -8.2% | 18.2% | -2.6% |
| 1-4 GCSEs or Equivalent | 15.1% | 9.5% | -5.6% | 9.6% | -0.1% |
| 5 or more GCSEs, an A-Level or 1-2 AS Levels | 14.7% | 18.6% | 3.9% | 13.4% | 5.2% |
| Apprenticeship | 5.3% | 7.2% | 1.9% | 5.3% | 1.9% |
| HNC, HND or 2+ A Levels | 15.8% | 22.8% | 7.0% | 16.9% | 5.9% |
| Degree or Similar | 18.9% | 23.2% | 4.3% | 33.8% | -10.6% |
| Other | 6.4% | 3% | -3.4% | 2.8% | 0.2% |
This area closely mirrors the overall ethnic composition of the UK, with 89% of the population identifying as white, with UK average of 81.4%.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian | 1.3% | 3.8% | 2.5% | 3.1% | 0.7% |
| Black African | 4.1% | 2.8% | -1.3% | 2.5% | 0.3% |
| Black Caribbean | 0.3% | 0.6% | 0.3% | 1.0% | -0.4% |
| Mixed White and African | 0% | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.4% | -0.1% |
| Mixed White and Caribbean | 0.6% | 1.6% | 1.0% | 0.9% | 0.7% |
| Mixed Other | 0% | 0.6% | 0.6% | 0.8% | -0.2% |
| White | 93.7% | 89% | -4.7% | 81.4% | 7.6% |
| Other | 0% | 1.3% | 1.3% | 1.6% | -0.3% |
In this area, 90.5% 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 | 96.8% | 90.5% | -6.3% | 83.2% | 7.3% |
| European Union | 1.3% | 1.9% | 0.6% | 6.1% | -4.2% |
| Rest of Europe | 0.6% | 0% | -0.6% | 0.8% | -0.8% |
| Africa | 0.6% | 3.8% | 3.2% | 2.7% | 1.1% |
| Middle East and Asia | 0.6% | 2.8% | 2.2% | 5.6% | -2.8% |
| The Americas and the Caribbean | 0% | 0.6% | 0.6% | 1.3% | -0.7% |
| Oceania | 0% | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.0% |
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born in the UK | 96.8% | 89.7% | -7.1% | 83.2% | 6.5% |
| 10+ Years | 0% | 6.6% | 6.6% | 9.8% | -3.2% |
| 5-10 Years | 0.9% | 1.3% | 0.4% | 2.9% | -1.6% |
| 2-5 Years | 0.3% | 1.9% | 1.6% | 2.2% | -0.3% |
| Less than 2 years | 1.9% | 0.6% | -1.3% | 1.9% | -1.3% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 87% | 76.7% | 10.3% |
| France | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.0% |
| Portugal | 0.3% | 0.5% | -0.2% |
| Spain | 0.6% | 0.4% | 0.2% |
| Other EU countries | 1.2% | 1.5% | -0.3% |
| South and Eastern Africa | 0.9% | 0.2% | 0.7% |
| Southern Asia | 1.2% | 1.2% | 0.0% |
| No passport held | 8.4% | 13.5% | -5.1% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No religion | 36.3% | 37.2% | -0.9% |
| Christian | 55.8% | 46.2% | 9.6% |
| Sikh | 2.5% | 0.9% | 1.6% |
| Not answered | 5.4% | 6.0% | -0.6% |
Over the last 12 months, the overall crime rate around The Shades was 38.8 per 1,000 residents, which is 46.1% lower than the Strood West average. The most reported crime type was Anti-social behaviour.
The Shades has the 5th lowest crime rate of 19 local areas in Strood West and the 251st lowest crime rate of 820 local areas in Medway .
Violent and sexual offences accounted for around 16.2 crimes per 1,000 residents and have been rising year on year. Over the last decade, overall crime has fallen by about -51.3%.

Households in this area have a similar level of wealth to the average household in England and Wales. 54% of analyzed areas in England and Wales have higher average household annual income than this area.

| Address | Sale Price | Sale Date | Price Estimate 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 The Shades, Rochester, Medway Detached, an established residential building | £380,000 | 2024-01-18 | £404,555 |
| 61 The Shades, Rochester, Medway Semi-Detached, an established residential building | £420,000 | 2023-06-09 | £439,749 |
| 55 The Shades, Rochester, Medway Semi-Detached, an established residential building | £383,000 | 2021-09-30 | £437,091 |
| 57 The Shades, Rochester, Medway Semi-Detached, an established residential building | £380,000 | 2021-03-11 | £451,673 |
| 49 The Shades, Rochester, Medway Semi-Detached, an established residential building | £355,000 | 2019-02-07 | £443,529 |
ME2 2UB 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 ME2 2UB area is much higher than the country's average. According to Census 2011, 34% residents of this area were retired, while the average in the UK was 14%.
| Retired | 90 |
| Full-Time Employee | 84 |
| Part-Time Employee | 26 |
| Self-Employed | 24 |
| Student (economically inactive) | 13 |
| Looking after home or family | 11 |
| Full-Time Student (with or without job) | 6 |
| Unemployed | 4 |
| Other | 3 |
| Long-Term Sick or disabled | 0 |
| Construction | 30 |
| Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motor cycles | 21 |
| Human health and social work activities | 18 |
| Public administration and defence; compulsory social security | 14 |
| Manufacturing | 11 |
| Education | 11 |
| Transport and storage | 10 |
| Other | 7 |
| Professional, scientific and technical activities | 7 |
| Financial and insurance activities | 7 |
| Information and communication | 3 |
| Administrative and support service activities | 2 |
| Real estate activities | 1 |
| Accommodation and food service activities | 1 |
| Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply | 1 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bligh Primary School (Juniors) Bligh Way , Strood ME2 2XJ | 3out of 4 | 680 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Bligh Primary School (Infants) Bligh Way , Strood ME2 2XJ | 4out of 4 | 680 yd | Academy converter | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Ebbsfleet Green Primary School Ackers Drive Weldon , DA10 1AL | - not rated | 680 yd | Free schools | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Elaine Primary School Elaine Avenue , ME2 2YN | 2out of 4 | 1,771 yd | Academy sponsor led | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Cedar Children's Academy Cedar Road , Strood ME2 2JP | 3out of 4 | 1,989 yd | Academy sponsor led | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strood Academy Carnation Road , Strood ME2 2SX | 3out of 4 | 848 yd | Academy sponsor led | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School Maidstone Road , ME1 3EL | 4out of 4 | 4,721 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Boys | More About School |
| The Rochester Grammar School Maidstone Road , ME1 3BY | 4out of 4 | 4,744 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Girls | More About School |
| Fort Pitt Grammar School Fort Pitt Hill , ME4 6TJ | 4out of 4 | 4,958 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Girls | More About School |
| Thamesview School Thong Lane , DA12 4LF | 3out of 4 | 5,286 yd | Foundation school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gad's Hill School Higham , ME3 7PA | - not rated | 1,619 yd | Other independent school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Abbey Court Foundation Special School Rede Court Road , Strood ME2 3SP | 4out of 4 | 1,845 yd | Community special school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Manorway Independent School The Old St Justus Church , Strood ME2 2HG | - not rated | 1,975 yd | Other independent special school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Cobham Hall Brewers Road , Cobham DA12 3BL | - not rated | 2,779 yd | Other independent school | No | Girls | More About School |
| King's School, Rochester Satis House , Boley Hill ME1 1TE | - not rated | 3,644 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 Three Crutches | Old Watling Street, Higham | 362 yd | |
| The Bounty Pub | The Bounty, Bligh Way | 397 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| McCoys | 177 Bligh Way, Strood | 447 yd | |
| Morley's Fried Chicken | 175 Bligh Way, Strood | 452 yd | |
| Lucky Star | 167 Bligh Way, Strood | 473 yd | |
| Bligh Way Kebab | 165 Bligh Way, Strood | 479 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asda Express Strood Salters Cross PFS | 202 Watling Street, Strood | 1,019 yd |
| Facility Name | Sport Objects | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Knights Place Stangate Road | grass pitches | 182 yd |
| Bligh Junior School BLIGH WAY | grass pitches | 385 yd |
| Strood Academy CARNATION ROAD | artificial grass pitch, grass pitches | 730 yd |
| Rochester United Fc BLAW KNOX SPORTS FIELD BLAW KNOX SPORTS FIELD WATLING STREET | grass pitches | 862 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 | 66.1 Mbit/s |
| Average download speed | 86 Mbit/s |
| Minimum download speed | 350 Mbit/s |
| Maximum download speed | 350 Mbit/s |
| Median upload speed | 16.3 Mbit/s |
| Average upload speed | 16 Mbit/s |
| Maximum upload speed | 35 Mbit/s |
Broadband statistics are based on Ofcom's Communications Market Report (CMR) 2022.