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Central

Interactive map displaying Central

About

Central ward is a densely populated residential area located directly north of Watford's town centre. It is primarily characterised by Victorian and Edwardian terraced housing, with some modern apartment developments near the main transport links. The ward includes the neighbourhoods of Holywell and parts of Oxhey, providing homes for a significant portion of the town's population.

The area is well-connected by the Watford Junction railway station and major bus routes along St Albans Road. Cassiobury Park, one of the largest public parks in Hertfordshire with its historic avenues and the Grand Union Canal, forms a large green boundary to the west. Local commerce is focused along the main arterial roads, serving the everyday needs of the community.

Area overview

On average Central has moderate deprivation and high crime levels, with around 247 crimes per 1,000 residents per year. Approximately 13.9% of homes in this area are social housing provided by a local council or housing association. The average income per household in Central is £54,093 per year. There are 6 schools in Central: 4 primary (1 Outstanding and 2 Good) and 1 secondary (1 Outstanding and 0 Good). Central is home to around 10,472 people, with a population density of about 6,363.2 per km2.

Crime rate
8/10
Crimes per 1k residents
247
Deprivation level
6/10
Income level
4/10
Social housing
13.9%
Connectivity
N/A

Area Profile

Central Population
10,472
Population density
6,363.2 per km²

Crime

Crime per 1,000 population

Violence and sexual offences
105.23(+238%)
Anti-social behaviour
76.49(+562%)
Shoplifting
50.71(+613%)
Other theft
26.74(+381%)
Public order
24.35(+368%)
East of England average

Demographics

Ethnic groups

British
3,608
34.45%
Other White
2,403
22.94%
Indian
974
9.3%
Pakistani
670
6.4%
Other Asian
620
5.92%
Total population: 10,474

Economics

Education (age 16+)

Level 4 qualifications or above
4,063
47.29%
No qualifications
1,312
15.27%
Level 3 (A level)
1,068
12.43%
Level 2 (GCSEs 9-4)
862
10.03%
Level 1 (GCSEs 3-1)
661
7.69%
Total 16+ residents: 8,592

Housing

Housing tenure

Private landlord or letting agency
2,507
52.8%
Owns with a mortgage
851
17.92%
Owns outright
684
14.41%
Other social rented
441
9.29%
Other forms of private rent
101
2.13%
Total households: 4,748

Property prices in Central

Based on 97 recent sales, the median property price is £323,000 in Central area, with individual transactions ranging from £90,000 up to £850,000.

Price distribution per property type (last year)

Price distribution by property type for Central in the last year.

Median sale price and percentiles per property type (last year)

Median sale price, sales count, and percentile information for each property type in Central over the last year.
TypeSalesMedian
Flats61£255,000
Semi-Detached4£438,000
Terraced32£399,250

10 years median price trend in Central

Ten year median sale price trend for each property type in Central.

All postcodes in Central

WD172QX

Stanley Road

WD171AH

The Parade

WD171AU

The Parade

WD172DQ

High Street

WD180BU

Exchange Road

WD171QE

Albert Road North

WD171QU

Wellington Road

WD172TD

Central

WD180EQ

Central

WD172AP

Water Lane

WD172EN

High Street

WD172PD

Earl Street

WD180BE

York Road

WD180LG

Market Street

WD180PN

Market Street

WD172BE

High Street

WD172EX

New Road

WD172LX

Derby Road

WD180JD

Exchange Road

WD171EG

Station Road

WD172EU

Central

WD180BN

King Street

WD180SQ

George Street

WD171TX

Clarendon Road

WD172HA

Queens Road

WD172QE

Sutton Road

WD172QH

Queens Road

WD180PL

Exchange Road

WD180QX

Marlborough Road

WD180WB

Kings Close

WD171PZ

St John's Road

WD180JY

Rosslyn Road

WD180PR

Market Street

WD180WA

Ladys Close

WD171DN

Clarendon Road

WD171LA

Clarendon Road

WD172HY

Lower High Street

WD172NJ

Water Lane

WD172PQ

Queens Road

WD172SF

Century Park

WD172TJ

High Street

WD172WH

The Harlequin

WD180FS

Lammas Road

WD180LD

Grays Mews

WD180PJ

Exchange Road

WD180QD

Marlborough Road

WD180XZ

Smith Street

WD171DA

Clarendon Road

WD171GA

Central

WD172AJ

Pumphouse Crescent

WD172LW

Derby Road

WD172PT

Estcourt Road

WD180GX

Rickmansworth Road

WD180QB

Marlborough Road

WD172PZ

Estcourt Road

WD180LB

Rosslyn Road

WD180QL

Central

WD171JA

Clarendon Road

WD171JT

Clarendon Road

WD172AD

Beechen Grove

WD172QA

Sotheron Road

WD172RB

Gladstone Road

WD180WU

Merton Road

WD172QR

Queens Road

WD171BN

St Albans Road

WD171EA

The Parade

WD172FF

Lower High Street

WD180GQ

Smith Street

WD171QF

Albert Road North

WD172AT

Lord Street

WD180PP

Exchange Road

WD180QF

Cassio Road

WD180TG

Exchange Road

WD171BA

The Parade

WD171QW

Monmouth Road

WD172AU

Beechen Grove

WD172QG

Sutton Road

WD180JU

Cassiobury Park Avenue

WD180JX

Rosslyn Road

WD171LU

The Parade

WD171NJ

The Parade

WD171QR

Westland Road

WD172BD

High Street

WD172QF

Sutton Road

WD180BG

St Marys View

WD180GA

Exchange Road

WD180QE

Francis Road

WD172BU

High Street

WD172EP

High Street

WD172HX

Lower High Street

WD171AY

The Parade

WD171BJ

Beechen Grove

WD171DY

Clarendon Road

WD171PU

St Johns Road

WD172SD

Dalton Way

WD180PT

Market Street

WD172AE

Wellstones

WD172EH

High Street

WD172NY

Prince Street

WD172QU

Stanley Road

Data Sources

All data is sourced from official UK government agencies and public datasets. Last updated: 16/01/2026.