Hurstwood is in Chatham and in Rochester Upon Medway district. ME5 0XH is located in the Fort Horsted 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 Hurstwood, Chatham, ME5 0XH and displays a report on the quality of life in this place and its surroundings.
Nearby postcodes are: ME5 0PS, ME5 9TN, ME5 0TR, ME5 0SH, ME5 0PT, ME5 9TW, ME5 0TP, ME5 0UQ, ME5 9TL.
In the UK, the overall gender distribution is approximately 49% male and 51% female. The area surrounding ME5 0XH has a slightly higher male population, with 50.2% 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% | 49.8% | -1.2% | 51.0% | -1.2% |
| Male | 49% | 50.2% | 1.2% | 49.0% | 1.2% |
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 ME5 0XH there is a very large concentration of residents that are married - 62% 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 | 24.4% | 24.4% | 0.0% | 37.9% | -13.5% |
| Married: Opposite sex | 61% | 62% | 1.0% | 44.2% | 17.8% |
| Separated | 1.6% | 1.6% | 0.0% | 2.2% | -0.6% |
| Divorced | 6.3% | 4.4% | -1.9% | 9.1% | -4.7% |
| Widowed | 6.7% | 7.6% | 0.9% | 6.1% | 1.5% |
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 (86.6%) 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 | 38.1% | 43.5% | 5.4% | 48.4% | -4.9% |
| Good health | 40.1% | 43.1% | 3.0% | 33.6% | 9.5% |
| Fair health | 16.7% | 7.4% | -9.3% | 12.7% | -5.3% |
| Bad health | 4.2% | 4.3% | 0.1% | 4.0% | 0.3% |
| Very bad health | 1% | 1.7% | 0.7% | 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.
This area stands out for its low percentage of residents with higher education degree. The UK average is 33.8%, while in this area it is 17.9%.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No qualifications | 28% | 20.7% | -7.3% | 18.2% | 2.5% |
| 1-4 GCSEs or Equivalent | 17.7% | 8.8% | -8.9% | 9.6% | -0.8% |
| 5 or more GCSEs, an A-Level or 1-2 AS Levels | 17.3% | 16.3% | -1.0% | 13.4% | 2.9% |
| Apprenticeship | 5.5% | 8.8% | 3.3% | 5.3% | 3.5% |
| HNC, HND or 2+ A Levels | 11.4% | 24.3% | 12.9% | 16.9% | 7.4% |
| Degree or Similar | 13.8% | 17.9% | 4.1% | 33.8% | -15.9% |
| Other | 6.3% | 3.2% | -3.1% | 2.8% | 0.4% |
This area closely mirrors the overall ethnic composition of the UK, with 87.3% of the population identifying as white, with UK average of 81.4%.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangladeshi | 1.9% | 0% | -1.9% | 1.1% | -1.1% |
| Chinese | 1% | 0.3% | -0.7% | 0.7% | -0.4% |
| Indian | 0% | 1% | 1.0% | 3.1% | -2.1% |
| Pakistani | 1.3% | 0% | -1.3% | 2.7% | -2.7% |
| Black African | 1.3% | 5.4% | 4.1% | 2.5% | 2.9% |
| Black Caribbean | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.0% | 1.0% | -0.7% |
| Mixed White and Asian | 0.3% | 1.3% | 1.0% | 0.8% | 0.5% |
| Mixed White and African | 0% | 1.3% | 1.3% | 0.4% | 0.9% |
| Mixed White and Caribbean | 1.3% | 0% | -1.3% | 0.9% | -0.9% |
| Mixed Other | 0% | 1.3% | 1.3% | 0.8% | 0.5% |
| White | 92.6% | 87.3% | -5.3% | 81.4% | 5.9% |
| Arab | 0% | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.6% | -0.3% |
| Other | 0% | 1.3% | 1.3% | 1.6% | -0.3% |
In this area, 92% 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 | 91.7% | 92% | 0.3% | 83.2% | 8.8% |
| European Union | 4.2% | 2% | -2.2% | 6.1% | -4.1% |
| Africa | 0.6% | 3.7% | 3.1% | 2.7% | 1.0% |
| Middle East and Asia | 1.9% | 1.3% | -0.6% | 5.6% | -4.3% |
| The Americas and the Caribbean | 0.6% | 1% | 0.4% | 1.3% | -0.3% |
| Oceania | 1% | 0% | -1.0% | 0.3% | -0.3% |
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born in the UK | 91.7% | 92% | 0.3% | 83.2% | 8.8% |
| 10+ Years | 1.3% | 5.7% | 4.4% | 9.8% | -4.1% |
| 5-10 Years | 1.6% | 2% | 0.4% | 2.9% | -0.9% |
| 2-5 Years | 1% | 0% | -1.0% | 2.2% | -2.2% |
| Less than 2 years | 4.5% | 0.3% | -4.2% | 1.9% | -1.6% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 89% | 76.7% | 12.3% |
| Germany | 1% | 0.2% | 0.8% |
| Portugal | 1.7% | 0.5% | 1.2% |
| Other EU countries | 0.3% | 1.5% | -1.2% |
| Eastern Asia | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.0% |
| Central and South America | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.1% |
| No passport held | 7.4% | 13.5% | -6.1% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No religion | 39.1% | 37.2% | 1.9% |
| Christian | 52.5% | 46.2% | 6.3% |
| Muslim | 1.7% | 6.5% | -4.8% |
| Sikh | 0.7% | 0.9% | -0.2% |
| Not answered | 6% | 6.0% | 0.0% |
Over the last 12 months, the overall crime rate around Hurstwood was 40.5 per 1,000 residents, which is 51.9% lower than the Fort Horsted average. The most reported crime type was Violence and sexual offences.
Hurstwood has the 26th lowest crime rate of 60 local areas in Fort Horsted and the 265th lowest crime rate of 820 local areas in Medway .
Violent and sexual offences accounted for around 23.6 crimes per 1,000 residents and have remained broadly unchanged year on year. Over the last decade, overall crime has fallen by about -72.2%.

Households in this area have a slightly higher level of wealth to the average household in England and Wales. 61% of analyzed areas in England and Wales have lower average household annual income than this area.

| Address | Sale Price | Sale Date | Price Estimate 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 96 Hurstwood, Chatham, Medway Semi-Detached, an established residential building | £297,000 | 2025-03-26 | £301,810 |
| 70 Hurstwood, Chatham, Medway Semi-Detached, an established residential building | £307,000 | 2024-10-04 | £324,109 |
| 83 Hurstwood, Chatham, Medway Semi-Detached, an established residential building | £377,500 | 2024-06-13 | £409,298 |
| 86 Hurstwood, Chatham, Medway Other, an established residential building | £265,000 | 2024-06-05 | £276,447 |
| 82 Hurstwood, Chatham, Medway Semi-Detached, an established residential building | £237,000 | 2024-05-07 | £258,921 |
ME5 0XH 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.
The percentage of retired residents living in ME5 0XH area is much higher than the country's average. According to Census 2011, 31% residents of this area were retired, while the average in the UK was 14%.
| Full-Time Employee | 81 |
| Retired | 78 |
| Part-Time Employee | 38 |
| Self-Employed | 14 |
| Full-Time Student (with or without job) | 11 |
| Looking after home or family | 10 |
| Long-Term Sick or disabled | 6 |
| Other | 5 |
| Student (economically inactive) | 4 |
| Unemployed | 3 |
| Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motor cycles | 27 |
| Construction | 16 |
| Public administration and defence; compulsory social security | 14 |
| Manufacturing | 12 |
| Human health and social work activities | 12 |
| Education | 12 |
| Transport and storage | 11 |
| Professional, scientific and technical activities | 10 |
| Other | 9 |
| Administrative and support service activities | 8 |
| Accommodation and food service activities | 7 |
| Financial and insurance activities | 6 |
| Water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities | 3 |
| Real estate activities | 1 |
| Information and communication | 1 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horsted Junior School Barberry Avenue , ME5 9TF | 3out of 4 | 234 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Horsted Infant School Barberry Avenue , ME5 9TF | 4out of 4 | 302 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Oaklands School Weedswood Road , Walderslade ME5 0QS | - not rated | 735 yd | Academy converter | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| St Thomas More Roman Catholic Primary School Bleakwood Road , ME5 0NF | 4out of 4 | 1,037 yd | Voluntary aided school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Walderslade Primary School Dargets Road , Walderslade ME5 8BJ | 3out of 4 | 1,338 yd | Academy converter | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenacre Academy 157 Walderslade Road , Walderslade ME5 0LP | 3out of 4 | 1,022 yd | Academy converter | No | Boys | More About School |
| Walderslade Girls' School Bradfields Avenue , Walderslade ME5 0LE | 2out of 4 | 1,083 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Girls | More About School |
| The Thomas Aveling School Arethusa Road , ME1 2UW | 3out of 4 | 2,108 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Holcombe Grammar School Holcombe , Maidstone Road ME4 6JB | 3out of 4 | 2,277 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Boys | More About School |
| Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School Maidstone Road , ME1 3EL | 4out of 4 | 2,911 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Boys | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bradfields Academy Churchill Avenue , ME5 0LB | 4out of 4 | 1,242 yd | Academy special converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| INSPIRE Free Special School Churchill Avenue , ME5 0LB | 3out of 4 | 1,242 yd | Free schools special | No | Mixed | More About School |
| The Rowans Silverbank , Churchill Avenue ME5 0LB | 4out of 4 | 1,427 yd | Academy alternative provision converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Medway Secure Training Centre Sir Evelyn Road , ME1 3YB | - not rated | 2,134 yd | Secure units | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Blue Skies School 126 Maidstone Road , ME4 6DQ | - not rated | 3,231 yd | Other independent special school | No | Mixed | More About School |
School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Avenue Cafe | 23 Shirley Avenue, Horsted | 645 yd | |
| Rochester RC Cafe | Rochester City Airport, Maidstone Road | 813 yd | |
| Rogallo Place, ABM Catering | Rogallo Place, Pilots View | 1,026 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tiger Moth | The Tiger Moth, Highview Drive | 708 yd | |
| The Poachers Pocket | The Poachers Pocket, 135 Walderslade Road | 855 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| George's Fish Bar \& Kebab | George's Fish Bar, 31 Yarrow Road | 329 yd | |
| BBQ Grill | 46 Silverweed Road, Weeds Wood | 473 yd | |
| Taal Indian Kitchen | 58 Silverweed Road, Weeds Wood | 480 yd | |
| Davis Kebab & Pizza House | 24 Shirley Avenue, Horsted | 650 yd | |
| A Taste Of India / Tandoori Grill | 25 Shirley Avenue, Horsted | 654 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asda | 387 Maidstone Road, Chatham | 471 yd | |
| Aldi | Unit F, Horsted Retail Park | 697 yd | |
| Home Bargains | Unit E2, Horsted Retail Park | 869 yd | |
| Morrisons | Princes Avenue, Walderslade | 1,026 yd |
| Facility Name | Sport Objects | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| You Fit (Rochester) MAIDSTONE ROAD | health and fitness suite, swimming pool | 576 yd |
| Bridgewood Manor BRIDGEWOOD MANOR HOTEL BRIDGEWOOD MANOR HOTEL WALDERSLADE WOODS | health and fitness suite, swimming pool, tennis courts | 718 yd |
| Oaklands Junior School WEEDS WOOD ROAD | grass pitches | 729 yd |
| Hook Meadow King George Road | grass pitches | 759 yd |
| Horstead Junior School Playing Field VALE DRIVE | athletics tracks, grass pitches | 867 yd |
| Greenacre Academy WALDERSLADE ROAD | artificial grass pitch, grass pitches | 943 yd |
| Walderslade Girls' School BRADFIELDS AVENUE | health and fitness suite | 998 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 | 100 Mbit/s |
| Average download speed | 153.3 Mbit/s |
| Minimum download speed | 1000 Mbit/s |
| Maximum download speed | 1000 Mbit/s |
| Median upload speed | 19.8 Mbit/s |
| Average upload speed | 18.1 Mbit/s |
| Maximum upload speed | 50 Mbit/s |
Broadband statistics are based on Ofcom's Communications Market Report (CMR) 2022.