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Dorset

Interactive map displaying Dorset

About

Dorset is a district in the South West of England, known for its coastal landscapes and rural areas. The region includes the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, featuring cliffs and fossil-rich beaches. Towns like Dorchester and Weymouth offer historic architecture and seaside attractions. The area has a mix of farmland, chalk downs, and small villages.

Outdoor activities are popular in Dorset, with hiking trails along the South West Coast Path and water sports in Poole Harbour. The district has a slower pace compared to urban centres, with local markets and traditional pubs. Transport links include roads like the A35 and rail connections to London and other parts of the South West.

Area overview

On average Dorset has moderate deprivation and moderate crime levels, with around 54 crimes per 1,000 residents per year. Approximately 10.6% of homes in this area are social housing provided by a local council or housing association. The average income of residents in Dorset is £46,176 per year. There are 184 schools in Dorset: 120 primary (3 Outstanding and 83 Good) and 19 secondary (1 Outstanding and 12 Good).

Crime rate
4/10
Crimes per 1k residents
54
Deprivation level
5/10
Income level
5/10
Social housing
10.6%
Connectivity
N/A

Area Profile

Dorset Population
379,579
Population density
152.4 per km²

Demographics

Ethnic groups

British
356,270
93.86%
Other White
9,487
2.5%
Irish
1,917
0.51%
Other Asian
1,859
0.49%
White and Asian (mixed)
1,635
0.43%
Total population: 379,580

Housing

Housing tenure

Owns outright
77,561
45.82%
Owns with a mortgage
41,593
24.57%
Private landlord or letting agency
22,778
13.46%
Other social rented
18,573
10.97%
Other forms of private rent
4,834
2.86%
Total households: 169,261

Property prices in Dorset

Based on 5,777 recent sales, the median property price is £345,000 in Dorset area, with individual transactions ranging from £53,000 up to £2,750,000.

Price distribution per property type (last year)

Price distribution by property type for Dorset 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 Dorset over the last year.
TypeSalesMedian
Detached2,268£478,250
Flats886£185,000
Semi-Detached1,192£325,975
Terraced1,431£275,000

10 years median price trend in Dorset

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

All wards in Dorset

Beacon

Beaminster

Blackmore Vale

Blandford

Bridport

Chalk Valleys

Charminster St Mary's

Chesil Bank

Chickerell

Colehill & Wimborne Minster East

Corfe Mullen

Cranborne & Alderholt

Cranborne Chase

Crossways

Dorchester East

Dorchester Poundbury

Dorchester West

Eggardon

Ferndown North

Ferndown South

Gillingham

Hill Forts & Upper Tarrants

Littlemoor & Preston

Lyme & Charmouth

Lytchett Matravers & Upton

Marshwood Vale

Melcombe Regis

Portland

Puddletown & Lower Winterborne

Radipole

Rodwell & Wyke

Shaftesbury Town

Sherborne East

Sherborne Rural

Sherborne West

South East Purbeck

Stalbridge & Marnhull

St Leonards & St Ives

Stour & Allen Vale

Sturminster Newton

Swanage

Upwey & Broadwey

Verwood

Wareham

Westham

West Moors & Three Legged Cross

West Parley

West Purbeck

Wimborne Minster

Winterborne & Broadmayne

Winterborne North

Yetminster

Data Sources

All data is sourced from official UK government agencies and public datasets. Last updated: 16/11/2025.