Highlands is in Royston and in North Hertfordshire district. SG8 9HE is located in the Royston Meridian electoral ward, within the English Parliamentary constituency of North East Hertfordshire. This postcode has been in use since 1980-01-01.
StreetScan combines information about Highlands, Royston, SG8 9HE and displays a report on the quality of life in this place and its surroundings.
Nearby postcodes are: SG8 9TS, SG8 9HF, SG8 9HD, SG8 9HB, SG8 9JA, SG8 9HL, SG8 9JB, SG8 9NF, SG8 9NH.
In the UK, the overall gender distribution is approximately 49% male and 51% female. The area surrounding SG8 9HE has a slightly higher male population, with 50.5% 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 | 50.1% | 49.5% | -0.6% | 51.0% | -1.5% |
| Male | 49.9% | 50.5% | 0.6% | 49.0% | 1.5% |
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 SG8 9HE there is a very large concentration of residents that are married - 59.8% 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 | 26.5% | 25.8% | -0.7% | 37.9% | -12.1% |
| Married: Opposite sex | 60.3% | 59.8% | -0.5% | 44.2% | 15.6% |
| Separated | 2.6% | 2.3% | -0.3% | 2.2% | 0.1% |
| Divorced | 8.5% | 7.4% | -1.1% | 9.1% | -1.7% |
| Widowed | 2.2% | 4.7% | 2.5% | 6.1% | -1.4% |
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 (87.2%) 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 | 53.9% | 50.2% | -3.7% | 48.4% | 1.8% |
| Good health | 37.9% | 37% | -0.9% | 33.6% | 3.4% |
| Fair health | 6.7% | 11.2% | 4.5% | 12.7% | -1.5% |
| Bad health | 1.5% | 1% | -0.5% | 4.0% | -3.0% |
| Very bad health | 0% | 0.7% | 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.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No qualifications | 16.5% | 14.9% | -1.6% | 18.2% | -3.3% |
| 1-4 GCSEs or Equivalent | 16.9% | 11% | -5.9% | 9.6% | 1.4% |
| 5 or more GCSEs, an A-Level or 1-2 AS Levels | 22.1% | 15.7% | -6.4% | 13.4% | 2.3% |
| Apprenticeship | 4% | 7.5% | 3.5% | 5.3% | 2.2% |
| HNC, HND or 2+ A Levels | 14% | 20.4% | 6.4% | 16.9% | 3.5% |
| Degree or Similar | 23.5% | 28.6% | 5.1% | 33.8% | -5.2% |
| Other | 2.9% | 2% | -0.9% | 2.8% | -0.8% |
In this area, the population is predominantly white, with 96.4% 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) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian | 0% | 2.3% | 2.3% | 3.1% | -0.8% |
| Black Caribbean | 1.5% | 0% | -1.5% | 1.0% | -1.0% |
| Mixed White and African | 0% | 1% | 1.0% | 0.4% | 0.6% |
| Mixed White and Caribbean | 0.3% | 0% | -0.3% | 0.9% | -0.9% |
| White | 98.3% | 96.4% | -1.9% | 81.4% | 15.0% |
| Other | 0% | 0.3% | 0.3% | 1.6% | -1.3% |
In this area, 95% 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 | 97.7% | 95% | -2.7% | 83.2% | 11.8% |
| European Union | 1.5% | 3.3% | 1.8% | 6.1% | -2.8% |
| Africa | 0.3% | 0.7% | 0.4% | 2.7% | -2.0% |
| The Americas and the Caribbean | 0.6% | 0.7% | 0.1% | 1.3% | -0.6% |
| 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 | 97.4% | 95% | -2.4% | 83.2% | 11.8% |
| 10+ Years | 0% | 3.6% | 3.6% | 9.8% | -6.2% |
| 5-10 Years | 0.6% | 1.3% | 0.7% | 2.9% | -1.6% |
| Less than 2 years | 2% | 0% | -2.0% | 1.9% | -1.9% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 89.3% | 76.7% | 12.6% |
| Ireland | 0.3% | 0.6% | -0.3% |
| Italy | 1.3% | 0.6% | 0.7% |
| Spain | 0.7% | 0.4% | 0.3% |
| Other EU countries | 0.3% | 1.5% | -1.2% |
| Central and South America | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.1% |
| No passport held | 7.7% | 13.5% | -5.8% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No religion | 44% | 37.2% | 6.8% |
| Christian | 48.3% | 46.2% | 2.1% |
| Buddhist | 0.3% | 0.5% | -0.2% |
| Hindu | 0.3% | 1.7% | -1.4% |
| Sikh | 2% | 0.9% | 1.1% |
| Not answered | 5% | 6.0% | -1.0% |
Over the last 12 months, the overall crime rate around Highlands was 41.5 per 1,000 residents, which is 46.5% lower than the Royston Heath average. The most reported crime type was Violence and sexual offences.
Highlands has the 14th highest crime rate of 33 local areas in Royston Heath and the 180th lowest crime rate of 413 local areas in North Hertfordshire .
Violent and sexual offences accounted for around 25.6 crimes per 1,000 residents and have been rising year on year. Over the last decade, overall crime has fallen by about -29.3%.

Households in this area have a higher level of wealth to the average household in England and Wales. 84% of analyzed areas in England and Wales have lower average household annual income than this area.

| Address | Sale Price | Sale Date | Price Estimate 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 Highlands, Royston, Hertfordshire Semi-Detached, an established residential building | £375,000 | 2025-03-18 | £362,972 |
| 20 Highlands, Royston, Hertfordshire Semi-Detached, an established residential building | £400,000 | 2025-03-11 | £387,170 |
| 5 Highlands, Royston, Hertfordshire Semi-Detached, an established residential building | £355,000 | 2025-01-14 | £348,545 |
| 7 Highlands, Royston, Hertfordshire Semi-Detached, an established residential building | £470,000 | 2024-05-24 | £486,109 |
| 8 Highlands, Royston, Hertfordshire Semi-Detached, an established residential building | £410,000 | 2022-06-29 | £421,503 |
SG8 9HE 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.
| Full-Time Employee | 102 |
| Retired | 73 |
| Part-Time Employee | 42 |
| Self-Employed | 18 |
| Full-Time Student (with or without job) | 8 |
| Student (economically inactive) | 6 |
| Unemployed | 5 |
| Other | 1 |
| Long-Term Sick or disabled | 1 |
| Looking after home or family | 0 |
| Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motor cycles | 31 |
| Human health and social work activities | 30 |
| Manufacturing | 29 |
| Professional, scientific and technical activities | 18 |
| Other | 16 |
| Education | 15 |
| Construction | 13 |
| Information and communication | 7 |
| Administrative and support service activities | 7 |
| Public administration and defence; compulsory social security | 6 |
| Financial and insurance activities | 6 |
| Accommodation and food service activities | 5 |
| Transport and storage | 5 |
| Agriculture, forestry and fishing | 3 |
| Real estate activities | 1 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studlands Rise First School Studlands Rise , SG8 9HB | 3out of 4 | 105 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Icknield Walk First School Poplar Drive , SG8 7EZ | 4out of 4 | 566 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| St Mary Roman Catholic Primary School Melbourn Road , SG8 7DB | 4out of 4 | 655 yd | Academy converter | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Tannery Drift School Tannery Drift , SG8 5DE | 3out of 4 | 1,122 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Roman Way Academy Burns Road , SG8 5EQ | 1out of 4 | 1,712 yd | Academy sponsor led | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bassingbourn Village College South End , Bassingbourn SG8 5NJ | 3out of 4 | 4,842 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| King James Academy Royston Garden Walk , SG8 7JH | 3out of 4 | 976 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lounge India Royston | 35 Market Hill | 645 yd | |
| The Market House | 9 - 11 Market Hill, Saffron Walden | 675 yd | |
| Birch's | Units 8-10, Corn Exchange Market Hill | 678 yd | |
| Mangos of the Caribbean Ltd | The Old Court House Market Hill | 722 yd | |
| Master Fryer | 15 Angel Pavement | 734 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Green Man | The Green Man, 37 Market Hill | 645 yd | |
| Royston Town F.C. | Royston Town Football Club Garden Walk | 707 yd | |
| Royston Manor House | Royston Manor House, 14 Melbourn Street | 780 yd | |
| Bar 11 | 11 John Street | 783 yd | |
| Casino Caterers at Royston Conservative Club | 18 - 20 Kneesworth Street | 899 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georges Fish and Chips | 43A Icknield Walk | 650 yd | |
| Lotus House | 25 Market Hill | 714 yd | |
| Royston Kitchen Kebab | 1 George Lane | 757 yd | |
| Royston Tandoori | 4 George Lane | 757 yd | |
| Royston Best Grill | 54 High Street | 794 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesco | Tesco Express, 26 Market Hill | 685 yd |
| Facility Name | Sport Objects | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Royston Outdoor Pool (Closed) Newmarket Road | swimming pool | 495 yd |
| Icknield Walk School POPLAR CLOSE | grass pitches | 583 yd |
| Newmarket Road Playing Fields (Closed) Newmarket Road | grass pitches | 616 yd |
| Bodyworks Gymnasium (Closed) Angel Pavement | health and fitness suite | 747 yd |
| Royston Town Football Club GARDEN WALK | grass pitches | 811 yd |
| St Marys Roman Catholic School MELBOURN ROAD | grass pitches | 851 yd |
| The Greneway School GARDEN WALK | grass pitches | 869 yd |
| Meridian School GARDEN WALK | artificial grass pitch, grass pitches, swimming pool | 999 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 | 247.2 Mbit/s |
| Minimum download speed | 1000 Mbit/s |
| Maximum download speed | 1000 Mbit/s |
| Median upload speed | 20 Mbit/s |
| Average upload speed | 22.4 Mbit/s |
| Maximum upload speed | 50 Mbit/s |
Broadband statistics are based on Ofcom's Communications Market Report (CMR) 2022.