West Devon is a rural district in the southwestern part of England, covering an area of approximately 1,160 square kilometres. It includes parts of Dartmoor National Park, known for its rugged landscapes and granite tors. The district is sparsely populated, with small towns like Tavistock and Okehampton serving as key hubs for local services and commerce. Agriculture and tourism are important to the economy, with visitors drawn to the natural scenery and historic sites.
The area features a mix of moorland, farmland, and wooded valleys, with the River Tamar forming part of its western boundary. West Devon has a rich heritage, including medieval bridges, mining history, and traditional market towns. Transport links are limited, with the A30 and railway lines connecting it to Exeter and Cornwall. The district offers a quiet, countryside lifestyle while remaining within reach of larger urban centres.
Area overview
On average West Devon has moderate deprivation and moderate crime levels, with around 46 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 West Devon is £44,879 per year. There are 36 schools in West Devon: 29 primary (1 Outstanding and 23 Good) and 2 secondary (0 Outstanding and 0 Good).
Crime rate
3/10
Crimes per 1k residents
46
Deprivation level
6/10
Income level
5/10
Social housing
7.9%
Connectivity
N/A
Area Profile
West Devon Population
57,096
Population density
49.2 per km²
Demographics
British
54,196
94.92%
Other White
1,306
2.29%
Irish
271
0.47%
Other Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups
224
0.39%
White and Asian (mixed)
223
0.39%
Total population: 57,094
Christian
28,713
50.29%
No religion
23,754
41.6%
Not answered
3,717
6.51%
Other religion
457
0.8%
Buddhist
209
0.37%
Total population: 57,096
Level 4+ (Degree)
16,468
34.05%
Level 3 (A level)
8,119
16.79%
No qualifications
7,530
15.57%
Level 2 (GCSEs 9-4)
7,079
14.64%
Level 1 (GCSEs 3-1)
4,858
10.05%
Total 16+ residents: 48,361
Employed
24,906
51.5%
Retired
15,401
31.85%
Long-term sick or disabled
1,833
3.79%
Looking after home or family
1,802
3.73%
Student
1,622
3.35%
Total 16+ residents: 48,362
Housing
Owns outright
11,569
46.62%
Owns with a mortgage
6,043
24.35%
Private landlord or letting agency
3,830
15.43%
Other social rented
2,000
8.06%
Other forms of private rent
696
2.8%
Total households: 24,818
Detached
10,702
43.12%
Semi-detached
6,570
26.47%
Terraced
4,948
19.94%
Purpose-built flat
1,552
6.25%
Converted/shared house (inc HMO)
422
1.7%
Total households: 24,817
Property prices in West Devon
Based on 735 recent sales, the median property price is £300,000 in West Devon area, with individual transactions ranging from £60,000 up to £1,500,000.
