Torbay is a coastal district in South West England, known for its trio of towns: Torquay, Paignton, and Brixham. The area covers around 25 square miles, with a mix of urban and coastal landscapes. Its coastline stretches along the English Channel, featuring sandy beaches, cliffs, and sheltered coves. The district is often referred to as the "English Riviera" due to its mild climate and seaside resorts.
The economy of Torbay relies heavily on tourism, with attractions like the Brixham fishing harbour and the historic Torre Abbey. The area also has a strong maritime heritage, particularly in Brixham, which remains a working fishing port. Inland, the landscape includes parks and green spaces, such as Cockington Country Park. Torbay’s population is around 135,000, with a mix of retirees, families, and seasonal workers. Transport links include the A380 road and rail connections to Exeter and beyond.
Area overview
On average Torbay has high deprivation and moderate crime levels, with around 104 crimes per 1,000 residents per year. Approximately 7.9% of homes in this area are social housing provided by a local council or housing association. The average income of residents in Torbay is £39,688 per year. There are 47 schools in Torbay: 30 primary (0 Outstanding and 26 Good) and 8 secondary (1 Outstanding and 4 Good).
Crime rate
6/10
Crimes per 1k residents
104
Deprivation level
7/10
Income level
2/10
Social housing
7.9%
Connectivity
N/A
Area Profile
Torbay Population
139,324
Population density
2,215.6 per km²
Demographics
British
128,375
92.14%
Other White
4,714
3.38%
Other Asian
1,001
0.72%
Irish
714
0.51%
White and Asian (mixed)
679
0.49%
Total population: 139,324
Christian
67,634
48.54%
No religion
60,178
43.19%
Not answered
8,771
6.3%
Other religion
976
0.7%
Muslim
788
0.57%
Total population: 139,324
Level 4+ (Degree)
29,628
25.32%
No qualifications
23,137
19.77%
Level 3 (A level)
20,227
17.28%
Level 2 (GCSEs 9-4)
18,096
15.46%
Level 1 (GCSEs 3-1)
13,696
11.7%
Total 16+ residents: 117,032
Employed
57,665
49.27%
Retired
35,505
30.34%
Long-term sick or disabled
6,901
5.9%
Looking after home or family
5,037
4.3%
Student
3,848
3.29%
Total 16+ residents: 117,030
Housing
Owns outright
24,663
39.15%
Owns with a mortgage
15,699
24.92%
Private landlord or letting agency
15,195
24.12%
Other social rented
4,664
7.4%
Other forms of private rent
1,572
2.5%
Total households: 62,992
Semi-detached
15,617
24.79%
Terraced
14,226
22.58%
Detached
14,125
22.42%
Purpose-built flat
10,818
17.17%
Converted/shared house (inc HMO)
5,877
9.33%
Total households: 62,995
Property prices in Torbay
Based on 1,819 recent sales, the median property price is £249,000 in Torbay area, with individual transactions ranging from £32,756 up to £1,060,000.
