High Street is in Rainham, Gillingham and in Gillingham district. ME8 8AR is located in the Rainham South West 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 High Street, Rainham, Gillingham, ME8 8AR and displays a report on the quality of life in this place and its surroundings.
Nearby postcodes are: ME8 8BA, ME8 8AG, ME8 8AP, ME8 8BB, ME8 8AN, ME8 8JX, ME8 8BL, ME8 8LA, ME8 8AZ.
In the UK, the overall gender distribution is approximately 49% male and 51% female. However, the area surrounding ME8 8AR, has a female population slightly higher than UK average, with 54.2% 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 | 54% | 54.2% | 0.2% | 51.0% | 3.2% |
| Male | 46% | 45.8% | -0.2% | 49.0% | -3.2% |
Across the UK, the average relationship status breakdown is roughly 44% married, 38% single, 9% divorced, 6% widowed, and 2% separated.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single | 31.3% | 32.1% | 0.8% | 37.9% | -5.8% |
| Married: Opposite sex | 34.2% | 36.9% | 2.7% | 44.2% | -7.3% |
| Married: Same sex | 0% | 0.7% | 0.7% | 0.3% | 0.4% |
| Separated | 4.3% | 5.2% | 0.9% | 2.2% | 3.0% |
| Divorced | 8.2% | 13.4% | 5.2% | 9.1% | 4.3% |
| Widowed | 22.1% | 11.6% | -10.5% | 6.1% | 5.5% |
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.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Very good health | 36.1% | 35.6% | -0.5% | 48.4% | -12.8% |
| Good health | 34.8% | 37.5% | 2.7% | 33.6% | 3.9% |
| Fair health | 22.4% | 19.1% | -3.3% | 12.7% | 6.4% |
| Bad health | 6.1% | 5.8% | -0.3% | 4.0% | 1.8% |
| Very bad health | 0.6% | 1.9% | 1.3% | 1.2% | 0.7% |
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 21.6%.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No qualifications | 31% | 25.7% | -5.3% | 18.2% | 7.5% |
| 1-4 GCSEs or Equivalent | 12.1% | 14.9% | 2.8% | 9.6% | 5.3% |
| 5 or more GCSEs, an A-Level or 1-2 AS Levels | 14.9% | 13.8% | -1.1% | 13.4% | 0.4% |
| Apprenticeship | 3.6% | 5.6% | 2.0% | 5.3% | 0.3% |
| HNC, HND or 2+ A Levels | 14.2% | 15.2% | 1.0% | 16.9% | -1.7% |
| Degree or Similar | 20.6% | 21.6% | 1.0% | 33.8% | -12.2% |
| Other | 3.6% | 3.3% | -0.3% | 2.8% | 0.5% |
This area closely mirrors the overall ethnic composition of the UK, with 88.1% 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% | 1.9% | 0.6% | 3.1% | -1.2% |
| Other Asian | 1% | 1.6% | 0.6% | 1.6% | 0.0% |
| Black African | 1.6% | 4.2% | 2.6% | 2.5% | 1.7% |
| Black Caribbean | 0.3% | 0.6% | 0.3% | 1.0% | -0.4% |
| Mixed White and Asian | 0.3% | 1.9% | 1.6% | 0.8% | 1.1% |
| Mixed White and Caribbean | 0.6% | 0% | -0.6% | 0.9% | -0.9% |
| Mixed Other | 0.3% | 1% | 0.7% | 0.8% | 0.2% |
| White | 94.6% | 88.1% | -6.5% | 81.4% | 6.7% |
| Other | 0% | 0.6% | 0.6% | 1.6% | -1.0% |
In this area, 89.4% 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 | 93% | 89.4% | -3.6% | 83.2% | 6.2% |
| European Union | 2.2% | 2.6% | 0.4% | 6.1% | -3.5% |
| Africa | 1.9% | 3.9% | 2.0% | 2.7% | 1.2% |
| Middle East and Asia | 2.2% | 2.6% | 0.4% | 5.6% | -3.0% |
| The Americas and the Caribbean | 0.6% | 1.6% | 1.0% | 1.3% | 0.3% |
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born in the UK | 92.3% | 89.4% | -2.9% | 83.2% | 6.2% |
| 10+ Years | 0% | 9.7% | 9.7% | 9.8% | -0.1% |
| 5-10 Years | 1.6% | 0.6% | -1.0% | 2.9% | -2.3% |
| 2-5 Years | 1% | 0% | -1.0% | 2.2% | -2.2% |
| Less than 2 years | 5.1% | 0.3% | -4.8% | 1.9% | -1.6% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 84.2% | 76.7% | 7.5% |
| France | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.0% |
| Poland | 1% | 1.3% | -0.3% |
| Romania | 1% | 0.9% | 0.1% |
| Other EU countries | 0.3% | 1.5% | -1.2% |
| North America and the Caribbean | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.0% |
| Central and South America | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.1% |
| No passport held | 12.6% | 13.5% | -0.9% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No religion | 38.4% | 37.2% | 1.2% |
| Christian | 53.5% | 46.2% | 7.3% |
| Muslim | 1.3% | 6.5% | -5.2% |
| Sikh | 3.5% | 0.9% | 2.6% |
| Not answered | 3.2% | 6.0% | -2.8% |
Over the last 12 months, the overall crime rate around High Street was 27.9 per 1,000 residents, which is 16.6% lower than the Rainham South East average. The most reported crime type was Violence and sexual offences.
High Street has the 21st lowest crime rate of 42 local areas in Rainham South East and the 181st lowest crime rate of 820 local areas in Medway .
Violent and sexual offences accounted for around 20.9 crimes per 1,000 residents and have been rising year on year. Over the last decade, overall crime has fallen by about -54.3%.

Households in this area have a slightly higher level of wealth to the average household in England and Wales. 70% of analyzed areas in England and Wales have lower average household annual income than this area.

| Address | Sale Price | Sale Date | Price Estimate 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 142 High Street, Gillingham, Medway Other, an established residential building | £53,000 | 2025-06-11 | £54,121 |
| Flat 2 124 High Street, Gillingham, Medway Flats/Maisonettes, an established residential building | £186,000 | 2024-10-31 | £191,757 |
| 136 High Street, Gillingham, Medway Other, an established residential building | £170,000 | 2023-08-09 | £170,884 |
| 140 High Street, Gillingham, Medway Other, an established residential building | £130,000 | 2021-02-17 | £141,738 |
| Flat 2 124 High Street, Gillingham, Medway Flats/Maisonettes, an established residential building | £178,000 | 2019-09-30 | £200,874 |
ME8 8AR 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 ME8 8AR 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 | 102 |
| Full-Time Employee | 73 |
| Self-Employed | 28 |
| Part-Time Employee | 19 |
| Long-Term Sick or disabled | 13 |
| Student (economically inactive) | 11 |
| Looking after home or family | 11 |
| Unemployed | 7 |
| Other | 6 |
| Full-Time Student (with or without job) | 0 |
| Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motor cycles | 20 |
| Human health and social work activities | 19 |
| Education | 15 |
| Manufacturing | 11 |
| Public administration and defence; compulsory social security | 8 |
| Financial and insurance activities | 8 |
| Transport and storage | 8 |
| Construction | 8 |
| Information and communication | 7 |
| Professional, scientific and technical activities | 7 |
| Accommodation and food service activities | 6 |
| Administrative and support service activities | 5 |
| Other | 4 |
| Real estate activities | 4 |
| Water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities | 1 |
| Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply | 1 |
| Agriculture, forestry and fishing | 1 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Margaret's Infant School St Margaret's Infant School, Orchard Street , Orchard Street ME8 9AE | 3out of 4 | 473 yd | Academy converter | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| St Margaret's Church of England Junior School Orchard Street , Rainham ME8 9AE | 3out of 4 | 473 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Riverside Primary School St Edmunds Way , Rainham ME8 8ET | 3out of 4 | 734 yd | Academy converter | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Miers Court Primary School Silverspot Close , ME8 8JR | 3out of 4 | 815 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Thames View Primary School Bloors Lane , Rainham ME8 7DX | 3out of 4 | 1,291 yd | Academy converter | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leigh Academy Rainham Otterham Quay Lane , Rainham | - not rated | 887 yd | Free schools | No | Mixed | More About School |
| The Howard School Derwent Way , Rainham ME8 0BX | 3out of 4 | 1,367 yd | Academy converter | No | Boys | More About School |
| Rainham School for Girls Derwent Way , Rainham ME8 0BX | 3out of 4 | 1,373 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Girls | More About School |
| Rainham Mark Grammar School Pump Lane , Rainham ME8 7AJ | 4out of 4 | 1,516 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| The Robert Napier School Third Avenue , ME7 2LX | 3out of 4 | 4,141 yd | Academy sponsor led | 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 | 1,914 yd | Other independent school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Danecourt School Hotel Road , ME8 6AA | 3out of 4 | 3,184 yd | Academy special converter | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Will Adams Centre Woodlands Road , ME7 2BX | 3out of 4 | 3,816 yd | Pupil referral unit | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| The GFC School Priestfield Stadium , Redfern Avenue ME7 4DD | - not rated | 4,483 yd | Other independent school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Rivermead School Forge Lane , ME7 1UG | 3out of 4 | 5,291 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hon's Restaurant | 143 High Street, Rainham | 32 yd | |
| Galata Mezze Restaurant | 109 High Street, Rainham | 182 yd | |
| The Centre Cafe | 35 Rainham Shopping Centre, Rainham | 325 yd | |
| Tarana | 85 High Street, Rainham | 335 yd | |
| Tick Tocks Coffee & Kitchen Ltd | 16 Rainham Shopping Centre, Rainham | 350 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Prince Of Ales | 121 High Street, Rainham | 95 yd | |
| White Horse | White Horse PH, White Horse | 268 yd | |
| The Greedy Banker | 89-93 High Street, Rainham | 306 yd | |
| Cricketers | The Cricketers Inn, 88 High Street | 312 yd | |
| The Rose Inn | The Rose Inn, 249 High Street | 406 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tandoori Parlour & The Grill Guys | 134 High Street, Rainham | 11 yd | |
| Charcoal Grill | 146 High Street, Rainham | 22 yd | |
| Asham Indian | 109A High Street, Rainham | 191 yd | |
| Tarka Baaz | 175 High Street, Rainham | 200 yd | |
| Peking Chef | 177 High Street, Rainham | 205 yd |
| Facility Name | Sport Objects | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Reynolds Fitness Spa Rainham HIGH STREET | health and fitness suite | 162 yd |
| Rainham Recreation Ground Station Road | grass pitches | 464 yd |
| St Margaret'S C Of E Junior School ORCHARD STREET | grass pitches, swimming pool | 597 yd |
| Miers Court Primary School SILVERSPOT CLOSE | grass pitches | 806 yd |
| Berengrave Park BERENGRAVE LANE | grass pitches | 936 yd |
| Ryetop Playing Fields Beacon Close | grass pitches | 1,077 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 | 64 Mbit/s |
| Average download speed | 128.5 Mbit/s |
| Minimum download speed | 1000 Mbit/s |
| Maximum download speed | 1000 Mbit/s |
| Median upload speed | 18.3 Mbit/s |
| Average upload speed | 24 Mbit/s |
| Maximum upload speed | 115 Mbit/s |
Broadband statistics are based on Ofcom's Communications Market Report (CMR) 2022.