Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 16 h 43 min4:36 am – 9:19 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 7 h 46 min8:01 am – 3:47 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People11,314 residentsin the Central Colchester census areaMedian age 37.25,556 households46% of homes owner-occupied24% owned outright11% social rented, 42% private rentedSource: Office for National Statistics, Census 2021
Work and commuting6.2% unemployment rate67% of adults are economically active, 5,941 in work, 18% retiredMain industries: health and social work 19%, retail and wholesale 13%, education 12%Getting to work: 35% work from home, 36% go by car, 9% take public transport, 19% walk or cycle71% of those who travel work within 10 km of homeSource: Office for National Statistics, Census 2021
Education and languages41% of adults hold a degree or higher13% have no qualifications, 4% an apprenticeshipMain language: English 86%2% cannot speak English wellSource: Office for National Statistics, Census 2021
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 23°C, lows 13°CColdest month January: highs 8°C, lows 2°C615 mm of rain a year, 14 days with 10 mm or morewettest month October38 days of air frost, 22 summer days above 25°C in a typical yearSource: Met Office HadUK-Grid 1991-2020 averages, 2 km grid (highs and lows from the 12 km grid)
Parks and green spacesHigh Woods Country Parkpark · under a mile · 154 haCastle Parkpark · under a mile · 19 haLexden Parkpark · 1.2 mi · 11 haColchester Golf Clubgolf course · 1.0 mi · 44 haHighfield Drive Allotmentsallotments · under a mileThe Bunting Roomssports ground · under a mileSource: Ordnance Survey Open Greenspace
Earthquakes14 of magnitude 2 or more within 50 miles since 19703 of magnitude 3+, 1 of magnitude 4+Largest: magnitude 4.0 on 22 May 201547 mi away, Ramsgate, KentMost recent: magnitude 2.0 on 1 May 202631 mi away, Southern North SeaSource: British Geological Survey earthquake database
Flood riskRivers and sea: areas at High risk within 500 m of the centrea 1 in 30 chance of flooding in any year, or greaterAlso medium, low risk areas nearbySource: Environment Agency, Risk of Flooding from Rivers and Sea
Air qualityNO2 11 · PM2.5 7.3 · PM10 12 µg/m³annual mean concentrations, 2024Within UK limits, above the WHO guideline for NO2 and PM2.5Source: DEFRA modelled background pollution maps 2024, 1 km grid
Broadband77% of premises can get gigabit-capable broadband96% can get superfast (30 Mbit/s or more)Every premises can get at least 10 Mbit/s (the universal service obligation)6,033 residential premises in the census areaSource: Ofcom Connected Nations, July 2025
Elevation7 m23 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from 4 to 38 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesHospitalColchester - Hospital Roadunder a mileGP surgeryEwmhs Ne Essex38 surgeries within 2 milesunder a milePharmacyAsda Pharmacy20 pharmacies within 2 milesunder a mileDentistClover Dentalunder a mileSource: NHS Organisation Data Service
SchoolsWithin 2 mi42 schools27 primary, 9 secondary, 2 independent, 1 special, 1 sixth form, 2 otherPrimaryNorth Primary School and Nurseryages 3-11, 458 pupilsright hereSecondarySt Helena Schoolages 11-16, 986 pupilsunder a mileIndependentColchester Prep & High Schoolages 2-16, 280 pupilsunder a mileCollegeColchester Instituteunder a mileUniversityUniversity of Essex2.6 miSource: Department for Education, Get Information about Schools
Getting aroundAirportLondon Southend Airport SEN24 miMajor airportLondon Stansted Airport STN28 miRailway stationColchesterunder a mileBus stationColchester North Park-and-RideMile End2.2 miFerryEast Mersea Ferry Landing8.2 miBus stops119 within a mileSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the CO1 postcode district.
