The Willows is in Rainham, Gillingham and in Gillingham district. ME8 7DW is located in the Rainham North electoral ward, within the English Parliamentary constituency of Gillingham and Rainham. This postcode has been in use since 1980-01-01.
StreetScan combines information about The Willows, Rainham, Gillingham, ME8 7DW and displays a report on the quality of life in this place and its surroundings.
Nearby postcodes are: ME8 7DG, ME8 7DJ, ME8 7DQ, ME8 7DL, ME8 7DN, ME8 7DP, ME8 7DE, ME8 7DF, ME8 7DT.
In the UK, the overall gender distribution is approximately 49% male and 51% female. The local area around ME8 7DW is generally consistent with those figures, having a male population of 48.4%.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Female | 47.9% | 51.6% | 3.7% | 51.0% | 0.6% |
| Male | 52.1% | 48.4% | -3.7% | 49.0% | -0.6% |
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 ME8 7DW there is a very large concentration of residents that are married - 64.6% 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 | 17.6% | 19.2% | 1.6% | 37.9% | -18.7% |
| Married: Opposite sex | 67% | 64.6% | -2.4% | 44.2% | 20.4% |
| Married: Same sex | 0% | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.0% |
| Separated | 3.1% | 0.6% | -2.5% | 2.2% | -1.6% |
| Divorced | 5.7% | 6.5% | 0.8% | 9.1% | -2.6% |
| Widowed | 6.5% | 8.8% | 2.3% | 6.1% | 2.7% |
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 (87.8%) 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 | 47.9% | 54.6% | 6.7% | 48.4% | 6.2% |
| Good health | 37.5% | 33.2% | -4.3% | 33.6% | -0.4% |
| Fair health | 11.7% | 9.3% | -2.4% | 12.7% | -3.4% |
| Bad health | 2% | 2% | 0.0% | 4.0% | -2.0% |
| Very bad health | 1% | 1% | 0.0% | 1.2% | -0.2% |
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.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No qualifications | 16.1% | 12.7% | -3.4% | 18.2% | -5.5% |
| 1-4 GCSEs or Equivalent | 11.9% | 10.1% | -1.8% | 9.6% | 0.5% |
| 5 or more GCSEs, an A-Level or 1-2 AS Levels | 19.9% | 15.1% | -4.8% | 13.4% | 1.7% |
| Apprenticeship | 11.1% | 7.1% | -4.0% | 5.3% | 1.8% |
| HNC, HND or 2+ A Levels | 13.4% | 17.5% | 4.1% | 16.9% | 0.6% |
| Degree or Similar | 23.8% | 34% | 10.2% | 33.8% | 0.2% |
| Other | 3.8% | 3.6% | -0.2% | 2.8% | 0.8% |
In this area, the population is predominantly white, with 93% 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) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese | 0% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.7% | -0.5% |
| Indian | 0% | 3.1% | 3.1% | 3.1% | 0.0% |
| Pakistani | 0% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 2.7% | -2.5% |
| Other Asian | 0.7% | 0.2% | -0.5% | 1.6% | -1.4% |
| Black African | 0.3% | 1% | 0.7% | 2.5% | -1.5% |
| Black Caribbean | 0% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 1.0% | -0.8% |
| Mixed White and Asian | 1.3% | 1% | -0.3% | 0.8% | 0.2% |
| Mixed Other | 0.7% | 1% | 0.3% | 0.8% | 0.2% |
| White | 96.7% | 93% | -3.7% | 81.4% | 11.6% |
| Gypsy or Irish Traveller | 0.3% | 0% | -0.3% | 0.1% | -0.1% |
In this area, 93.2% 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 | 95.1% | 93.2% | -1.9% | 83.2% | 10.0% |
| European Union | 1.6% | 2.9% | 1.3% | 6.1% | -3.2% |
| Africa | 1.6% | 1.5% | -0.1% | 2.7% | -1.2% |
| Middle East and Asia | 1% | 2.2% | 1.2% | 5.6% | -3.4% |
| The Americas and the Caribbean | 0.3% | 0% | -0.3% | 1.3% | -1.3% |
| Oceania | 0.3% | 0.2% | -0.1% | 0.3% | -0.1% |
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born in the UK | 94.8% | 93.4% | -1.4% | 83.2% | 10.2% |
| 10+ Years | 0% | 5.6% | 5.6% | 9.8% | -4.2% |
| 5-10 Years | 0.3% | 0.2% | -0.1% | 2.9% | -2.7% |
| 2-5 Years | 0.3% | 0.5% | 0.2% | 2.2% | -1.7% |
| Less than 2 years | 4.6% | 0.2% | -4.4% | 1.9% | -1.7% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 91.2% | 76.7% | 14.5% |
| Ireland | 1% | 0.6% | 0.4% |
| Spain | 0.2% | 0.4% | -0.2% |
| Southern Asia | 0.5% | 1.2% | -0.7% |
| Oceania | 0.2% | 0.1% | 0.1% |
| No passport held | 6.8% | 13.5% | -6.7% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No religion | 42.5% | 37.2% | 5.3% |
| Christian | 49.4% | 46.2% | 3.2% |
| Hindu | 1.5% | 1.7% | -0.2% |
| Muslim | 0.7% | 6.5% | -5.8% |
| Sikh | 1.5% | 0.9% | 0.6% |
| Not answered | 4.4% | 6.0% | -1.6% |
Over the last 12 months, the overall crime rate around The Willows was 101.2 per 1,000 residents, which is 28.1% higher than the Rainham North average. The most reported crime type was Violence and sexual offences.
The Willows has the 23rd highest crime rate of 88 local areas in Rainham North and the 266th highest crime rate of 820 local areas in Medway .
Violent and sexual offences accounted for around 56.8 crimes per 1,000 residents and have been falling year on year. Over the last decade, overall crime has fallen by about -39.2%.

Households in this area have a slightly higher level of wealth to the average household in England and Wales. 63% of analyzed areas in England and Wales have lower average household annual income than this area.

| Address | Sale Price | Sale Date | Price Estimate 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 The Willows, Gillingham, Medway Semi-Detached, an established residential building | £365,000 | 2025-09-16 | £365,000 |
| 3 The Willows, Gillingham, Medway Semi-Detached, an established residential building | £328,555 | 2023-06-27 | £344,691 |
| 6 The Willows, Gillingham, Medway Semi-Detached, an established residential building | £400,000 | 2018-11-29 | £497,030 |
| 10 The Willows, Gillingham, Medway Semi-Detached, an established residential building | £325,500 | 2017-03-23 | £434,000 |
| 10 The Willows, Gillingham, Medway Semi-Detached, an established residential building | £185,000 | 2013-07-26 | £370,739 |
ME8 7DW 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 ME8 7DW 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 | 108 |
| Retired | 106 |
| Part-Time Employee | 47 |
| Self-Employed | 35 |
| Student (economically inactive) | 13 |
| Looking after home or family | 13 |
| Long-Term Sick or disabled | 6 |
| Other | 4 |
| Unemployed | 3 |
| Full-Time Student (with or without job) | 2 |
| Human health and social work activities | 20 |
| Construction | 19 |
| Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motor cycles | 18 |
| Public administration and defence; compulsory social security | 13 |
| Professional, scientific and technical activities | 13 |
| Education | 13 |
| Financial and insurance activities | 10 |
| Transport and storage | 10 |
| Manufacturing | 7 |
| Other | 6 |
| Accommodation and food service activities | 6 |
| Information and communication | 5 |
| Real estate activities | 4 |
| Administrative and support service activities | 2 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thames View Primary School Bloors Lane , Rainham ME8 7DX | 3out of 4 | 161 yd | Academy converter | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| St Margaret's Infant School St Margaret's Infant School, Orchard Street , Orchard Street ME8 9AE | 3out of 4 | 1,027 yd | Academy converter | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| St Margaret's Church of England Junior School Orchard Street , Rainham ME8 9AE | 3out of 4 | 1,027 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Twydall Primary School and Nursery Twydall Lane , ME8 6JS | 1out of 4 | 1,328 yd | Academy sponsor led | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| St Thomas of Canterbury RC Primary School Romany Road , Rainham ME8 6JH | 3out of 4 | 1,349 yd | Voluntary aided school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rainham Mark Grammar School Pump Lane , Rainham ME8 7AJ | 4out of 4 | 425 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| The Howard School Derwent Way , Rainham ME8 0BX | 3out of 4 | 974 yd | Academy converter | No | Boys | More About School |
| Rainham School for Girls Derwent Way , Rainham ME8 0BX | 3out of 4 | 1,104 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Girls | More About School |
| Leigh Academy Rainham Otterham Quay Lane , Rainham | - not rated | 1,962 yd | Free schools | No | Mixed | More About School |
| The Robert Napier School Third Avenue , ME7 2LX | 3out of 4 | 3,130 yd | Academy sponsor led | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MidKent College Medway Road , ME7 1FN | - not rated | 5,235 yd | Further education | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bryony School 157 Marshall Road , Rainham ME8 0AJ | - not rated | 1,800 yd | Other independent school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Danecourt School Hotel Road , ME8 6AA | 3out of 4 | 2,276 yd | Academy special converter | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Will Adams Centre Woodlands Road , ME7 2BX | 3out of 4 | 2,753 yd | Pupil referral unit | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| The GFC School Priestfield Stadium , Redfern Avenue ME7 4DD | - not rated | 3,392 yd | Other independent school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Rivermead School Forge Lane , ME7 1UG | 3out of 4 | 4,167 yd | Academy special converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Manor Farm | Manor Farm, 2 High Street | 585 yd | |
| Cafe Nucleus Rainham | 35A High Street, Rainham | 678 yd | |
| The Star Grill | 20 Rainham Shopping Centre, Rainham | 759 yd | |
| Pizza Hut | 65-67A High Street, Rainham | 765 yd | |
| Nutmegs Patisserie | Nutmegs, 67B High Street | 774 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jordans Pool & Snooker Lounge | 1-3A Rainham Shopping Centre, Rainham | 747 yd | |
| The Dewdrop | 100 - 102 Hawthorne Avenue, Rainham | 846 yd | |
| JD Wetherspoon - The Railway Inn | The Railway, 113 Station Road | 854 yd | |
| The Greedy Banker | 89-93 High Street, Rainham | 862 yd | |
| Cricketers | The Cricketers Inn, 88 High Street | 884 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jack`s Fish Bar | 13 High Street, Rainham | 578 yd | |
| Favorite Rainham | 55 High Street, Rainham | 744 yd | |
| Greggs | Su3, Rainham Shopping Centre | 780 yd | |
| Mohim Express | 27 Station Road, Rainham | 833 yd | |
| Quality Chicken & Ribs | 18 Station Road, Rainham | 861 yd |
| Facility Name | Sport Objects | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Berengrave Park BERENGRAVE LANE | grass pitches | 235 yd |
| Cozenton Park Bloors Lane | grass pitches | 277 yd |
| Thames View Primary School BLOORS LANE | grass pitches | 336 yd |
| Splashes Sports Centre Bloors Lane | health and fitness suite, swimming pool | 343 yd |
| Playfootball Gillingham LONDON ROAD | artificial grass pitch | 572 yd |
| Rainham Mark Grammar School PUMP LANE | grass pitches, health and fitness suite, tennis courts | 599 yd |
| St Margaret'S C Of E Junior School ORCHARD STREET | grass pitches, swimming pool | 948 yd |
| Reynolds Fitness Spa Rainham HIGH STREET | health and fitness suite | 978 yd |
| Howard School DERWENT WAY | grass pitches | 1,004 yd |
| Rainham Recreation Ground Station Road | grass pitches | 1,085 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 | 275 Mbit/s |
| Average download speed | 450.9 Mbit/s |
| Minimum download speed | 1000 Mbit/s |
| Maximum download speed | 1000 Mbit/s |
| Median upload speed | 27.5 Mbit/s |
| Average upload speed | 40.5 Mbit/s |
| Maximum upload speed | 115 Mbit/s |
Broadband statistics are based on Ofcom's Communications Market Report (CMR) 2022.