Dacorum area report

Highlights

Dacorum is a Hertfordshire district with a population of 155081. The median house price is 445000, with terraced properties most common at 29.8 percent of housing stock and detached homes at 21.3 percent. Ownership is strong at 63.9 percent of households. Over the five-year period, prices have risen 12.5 percent. Residents born outside the UK account for 14.3 percent of the population, with a median age of 40.8. Employment stands at 62.4 percent, and 47.6 percent of workers drive to work, while 39.2 percent work from home. Educational attainment is relatively high, with 37.8 percent of residents aged 16 and over holding level 4 or above qualifications. The area has 80 schools including 55 primary and 9 secondary. Health outcomes show life expectancy at 80.5 for males and 85.3 for females. Crime in May 2026 totalled 1196 incidents per 155081 residents. Air quality is low for nitrogen dioxide and moderate for fine particulate matter. Broadband connectivity is strong, with 74.7 percent gigabit capable. Around 50.1 percent of the area is designated green belt.

Data updated 2026/27 (tax); 2025 (control). Dacorum, Hertfordshire — a free, sourced local-area report from Acreright. Every figure shows its source and date; where the data isn't reliable we say so rather than guess.

Within Hertfordshire, Dacorum ranks 6th cheapest of 10, 6th safest and 8th most affordable.

What does it cost?

• £445,000 median home price (HM Land Registry Price Paid + UK HPI, Apr 2026)

Sold prices in Dacorum have risen 12% over the last five years (UK House Price Index).

How safe is it?

• 7.7 recorded crimes per 1,000 people (police.uk, May 2026)

Who lives here?

• 155,081 residents (ONS Census 2021 (Nomis), 2021)

About 65% of neighbourhoods in England are more deprived than Dacorum (English Indices of Deprivation, decile 7 of 10, national basis). Little changed since 2019 (decile 7).

Schools

• 81% of inspected schools rated Good or Outstanding (Get Information About Schools (GIAS) + Ofsted inspections MI, 2026)

Health

• 80.5 · 85.3 yrs life expectancy (men · women) (NHS ODS register (GP/dentist/pharmacy) + OSM (hospitals) + IoD2025 health domain + OHID Fingertips (outcomes), 2026/2025)

Getting around

• 75% of premises can get gigabit broadband (Ofcom Connected Nations 2024, Jul 2024)

Has it been a good investment?

Of homes in Dacorum that changed hands in the last five years, 23.4% sold for less than the previous owner paid — 6.2 points above East of England (17.2%) (nominal, not inflation-adjusted). Across those resales the typical gain was 13.01% over 7.51 years held.

Investment context: a gross rental yield of about 4.4% (area median rent against the median sold price) — appraise a specific property at /appraisal/dacorum.

Compare every area in Hertfordshire: Hertfordshire area guide & rankings.

Nearby areas we cover: St Albans, Three Rivers, Watford.