Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 16 h 31 min4:54 am – 9:24 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 7 h 57 min8:07 am – 4:04 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People6,332 residentsin the Merley census areaMedian age 50.22,479 households87% of homes owner-occupied57% owned outright4% social rented, 9% private rentedSource: Office for National Statistics, Census 2021
Work and commuting3.5% unemployment rate51% of adults are economically active, 2,596 in work, 37% retiredMain industries: education 15%, retail and wholesale 14%, health and social work 13%Getting to work: 34% work from home, 57% go by car, 2% take public transport, 7% walk or cycle75% of those who travel work within 10 km of homeSource: Office for National Statistics, Census 2021
Education and languages36% of adults hold a degree or higher12% have no qualifications, 7% an apprenticeshipMain language: English 99%Source: Office for National Statistics, Census 2021
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 22°C, lows 12°CColdest month January: highs 9°C, lows 2°C938 mm of rain a year, 30 days with 10 mm or morewettest month November41 days of air frost, 16 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)
Nearby landmarksHatch Holewater · under a mileStoat's Hillhill · under a mileTrunk Holewater · under a mileFerndown Forestforest · 1.9 miGravel Hillhill · 1.2 miGarden Coppicewoodland · under a mileSource: Ordnance Survey Open Names
Parks and green spacesCanford Country Parkpark · under a mile · 20 haBytheway Fieldpark · 1.0 mi · 15 haTurbary Commonpark · 2.6 mi · 45 haKnighton Heath Golf Coursegolf course · 1.6 mi · 47 haCanford Parksports ground · under a mile · 10 haFennersplaying field · under a mile · 2 haSource: Ordnance Survey Open Greenspace
Earthquakes22 of magnitude 2 or more within 50 miles since 19704 of magnitude 3+, 0 of magnitude 4+Largest: magnitude 3.0 on 29 Jan 200449 mi away, Bridgwater, SomersetMost recent: magnitude 2.0 on 8 Feb 202643 mi away, Chard, SomersetSource: 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 6.7 · PM2.5 5.7 · PM10 8.7 µg/m³annual mean concentrations, 2024Within UK limits, above the WHO guideline for PM2.5Source: DEFRA modelled background pollution maps 2024, 1 km grid
Broadband81% of premises can get gigabit-capable broadband94% can get superfast (30 Mbit/s or more)Every premises can get at least 10 Mbit/s (the universal service obligation)2,661 residential premises in the census areaSource: Ofcom Connected Nations, July 2025
Elevation21 m69 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from 13 to 45 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesHospitalWimborne Community Hospital2.1 miGP surgeryThe Harvey Practice, Merley3 surgeries within 2 milesunder a milePharmacyRowlands Pharmacy5 pharmacies within 2 milesunder a mileDentistSouth Coast Dental Specialist1.2 miSource: NHS Organisation Data Service
SchoolsWithin 2 mi14 schools7 primary, 3 secondary, 1 independent, 3 specialIndependentCanford Schoolages 13-18, 650 pupilsunder a milePrimaryMerley First Schoolages 5-9, 292 pupilsunder a mileSecondarySt Michael's Church of England Middle School, Colehillages 9-13, 563 pupils1.8 miCollegeThe Bournemouth and Poole College4.2 miUniversityBournemouth University3.8 miSource: Department for Education, Get Information about Schools
Getting aroundAirportBournemouth Airport BOH5.1 miMajor airportBristol Airport BRS53 miRailway stationBranksomeBranksome Park4.3 miBus stationBournemouth UniversityTalbot Heath3.8 miFerryPoole Quay Ferry Landing5.2 miBus stops48 within a mileSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the BH21 postcode district.
