Stevenage area report

Highlights

Stevenage is a borough in Hertfordshire with a population of 89495. The median house price is 340000, with terraced homes comprising 46.1% of the housing stock. Over the past five years, prices have risen 21.4%. The affordability ratio stands at 7.4, based on median workplace earnings of 46006. Crime recorded 943 incidents in May 2026, equivalent to 10.5 per 1000 residents, with violent crime the largest category at 371 offences. The area has 37 schools, all state-run, with 20 rated good or better by Ofsted. Life expectancy is 79.8 years for males and 82.6 for females. Air quality is moderate, with nitrogen dioxide at 10.7 micrograms per cubic metre annually and particulate matter at 7.1. Stevenage Rail Station offers a 37-minute commute to London Blackfriars. Employment stands at 63.8%, with health and social work and retail being the largest sectors. Gigabit-capable broadband is available to 87.6% of premises. The area contains 130 listed buildings and 7 conservation areas, with 6.9% in green belt.

Data updated 2026/27 (tax); 2025 (control). Stevenage, 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, Stevenage ranks 1st cheapest of 10, 10th safest and 1st most affordable.

What does it cost?

• £340,000 median home price (HM Land Registry Price Paid + UK HPI, Apr 2026)

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

How safe is it?

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

Who lives here?

• 89,493 residents (ONS Census 2021 (Nomis), 2021)

About 45% of neighbourhoods in England are more deprived than Stevenage (English Indices of Deprivation, decile 5 of 10, national basis). Little changed since 2019 (decile 5).

Schools

• 95% of inspected schools rated Good or Outstanding (Get Information About Schools (GIAS) + Ofsted inspections MI, 2026)

Health

• 79.8 · 82.6 yrs life expectancy (men · women) (NHS ODS register (GP/dentist/pharmacy) + OSM (hospitals) + IoD2025 health domain + OHID Fingertips (outcomes), 2026/2025)

Getting around

• ≈37 min fastest train to London (OpenStreetMap + National Rail timetable (ATOC/RDG, GTFS), 2026)
• 88% of premises can get gigabit broadband (Ofcom Connected Nations 2024, Jul 2024)

Has it been a good investment?

Of homes in Stevenage that changed hands in the last five years, 31.3% sold for less than the previous owner paid — 14.1 points above East of England (17.2%) (nominal, not inflation-adjusted). Across those resales the typical gain was 7.85% over 6.9 years held.

Investment context: a gross rental yield of about 5.4% (area median rent against the median sold price) — appraise a specific property at /appraisal/stevenage.

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

Nearby areas we cover: North Hertfordshire, Welwyn Hatfield, East Hertfordshire.