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 –
People6,108 residentsin the Elmstead Market & Ardleigh census areaMedian age 46.92,440 households81% of homes owner-occupied43% owned outright7% social rented, 11% private rentedSource: Office for National Statistics, Census 2021
Work and commuting3.4% unemployment rate62% of adults are economically active, 3,021 in work, 25% retiredMain industries: retail and wholesale 16%, construction 13%, health and social work 13%Getting to work: 33% work from home, 59% go by car, 2% take public transport, 5% walk or cycle56% of those who travel work within 10 km of homeSource: Office for National Statistics, Census 2021
Education and languages28% of adults hold a degree or higher17% have no qualifications, 6% an apprenticeshipMain language: English 98%Source: Office for National Statistics, Census 2021
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 23°C, lows 13°CColdest month January: highs 8°C, lows 2°C596 mm of rain a year, 14 days with 10 mm or morewettest month October47 days of air frost, 20 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 landmarksArdleigh Reservoirreservoir · under a mileJohn de Bois Hillhill · under a mileBullock Woodwoodland · under a mileMagdalen Woodwoodland · under a mileAmerica Hillhill · 2.7 miDistillery Pondpond · 2.4 miSource: Ordnance Survey Open Names
Parks and green spacesHigh Woods Country Parkpark · 1.0 mi · 154 haCastle Parkpark · 1.9 mi · 19 haColchester Academy Sports Centresports ground · under a mile · 10 haNew Fairfield Allotmentsallotments · 1.6 miThe Greenpark · 2.9 miSource: Ordnance Survey Open Greenspace
Earthquakes13 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 202629 mi away, Southern North SeaSource: British Geological Survey earthquake database
Flood riskRivers and sea: no mapped risk within 500 m of the centreSource: Environment Agency, Risk of Flooding from Rivers and Sea
Air qualityNO2 8.3 · PM2.5 7.1 · PM10 13 µg/m³annual mean concentrations, 2024Within UK limits, above the WHO guideline for PM2.5Source: DEFRA modelled background pollution maps 2024, 1 km grid
Broadband90% of premises can get gigabit-capable broadband98% can get superfast (30 Mbit/s or more)0.2% cannot get a decent connection (below the 10 Mbit/s universal service obligation)2,900 residential premises in the census areaSource: Ofcom Connected Nations, July 2025
Elevation32 m105 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from 10 to 46 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesHospitalHospital Liaison Team1.9 miGP surgeryParsons Heath Medical Centre22 surgeries within 2 milesunder a milePharmacyDay Lewis Pharmacy7 pharmacies within 2 milesunder a mileDentistBromley Road Dental Surgeryunder a mileSource: NHS Organisation Data Service
SchoolsWithin 2 mi18 schools14 primary, 3 secondary, 1 otherPrimarySt John's Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, Colchesterages 4-11, 210 pupilsunder a milePrimaryParsons Heath Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary Schoolages 4-11, 197 pupilsunder a mileSecondaryColchester Academyages 11-16, 879 pupils1.0 miCollegeColchester Institute2.6 miUniversityUniversity of Essex2.3 miSource: Department for Education, Get Information about Schools
Getting aroundAirportLondon Southend Airport SEN26 miMajor airportLondon Stansted Airport STN30 miRailway stationHythe (Essex)The Hythe1.8 miBus stationColchester North Park-and-RideMile End2.3 miFerryBrightlingsea Ferry Landing8.0 miBus stops76 within a mileSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the CO7 postcode district.
