New Forest area report

Highlights

New Forest is a local area in Hampshire with a population of 175785. The median house price stands at 385000, with detached properties most common at 45.4 percent of the housing stock. Ownership is strong, with 74.2 percent of households owning their homes outright or with a mortgage. The area has an older demographic, with a median age of 51.3 and residents aged 65 and over comprising 29.4 percent of the population. Employment is healthy at 52.9 percent, with 33.4 percent retired. Education levels are relatively high, with 31.2 percent of residents aged 16 and over qualified to level 4 or above. Health outcomes are positive, with 81.6 percent reporting good or very good health. Schools include 54 primary and 9 secondary institutions, with 24 of 26 rated schools achieving good or better by Ofsted. Transport links include 14 rail stations, with Brockenhurst Rail Station approximately 2.2 kilometres away. Broadband coverage is extensive at 93.5 percent for superfast speeds. The area benefits from 197 greenspaces and 106 supermarkets.

Data updated 2026/27 (tax); 2025 (control). New Forest, Hampshire — 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 Hampshire, New Forest ranks 10th cheapest of 13, 3rd safest and 10th most affordable.

What does it cost?

• £385,000 median home price (HM Land Registry Price Paid + UK HPI, Apr 2026)

Sold prices in New Forest have risen 4% over the last five years (UK House Price Index).

How safe is it?

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

Who lives here?

• 175,785 residents (ONS Census 2021 (Nomis), 2021)

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

Schools

• 92% of inspected schools rated Good or Outstanding (Get Information About Schools (GIAS) + Ofsted inspections MI, 2026)

Health

• 82.4 · 84.7 yrs life expectancy (men · women) (NHS ODS register (GP/dentist/pharmacy) + OSM (hospitals) + IoD2025 health domain + OHID Fingertips (outcomes), 2026/2025)

Getting around

• ≈94 min fastest train to London (OpenStreetMap + National Rail timetable (ATOC/RDG, GTFS), 2026)
• 61% of premises can get gigabit broadband (Ofcom Connected Nations 2024, Jul 2024)

Has it been a good investment?

Of homes in New Forest that changed hands in the last five years, 20.3% sold for less than the previous owner paid — 3.2 points above South East (17.1%) (nominal, not inflation-adjusted). Across those resales the typical gain was 20% over 8.74 years held.

Investment context: a gross rental yield of about 4.3% (area median rent against the median sold price) — appraise a specific property at /appraisal/new forest.

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

Nearby areas we cover: Southampton, Eastleigh, Fareham.