Bournemouth
Elevated views of Bournemouth beach from the cliffs above
Bournemouth (BH) Postcode Area
Bournemouth: Coastal beauty, sandy beaches, vibrant nightlife, lush gardens, and a relaxed seaside atmosphere. Perfect for sun-seekers and adventurers alike.
Bournemouth Postcode Area includes:
Bournemouth, Poole, Broadstone, Swanage, Wareham, Wimborne, Ferndown, Christchurch, Ringwood, New Milton, Verwood.
Discover everything you need to know about Bournemouth with PostcodeArea. Scroll down to uncover demographics, property prices, crime stats, amenities and more.
Most Desirable Postcodes
Here are the top 10 most desirable postcode areas in Bournemouth (BH), based on a unique scoring system that weighs key factors like safety, schools, diversity, and affordability.
Whether you're a renter, homebuyer, or property investor, this tool lets you customise the score to focus on what matters most to you, helping you make smarter, data-driven decisions.
How are Desirability Scores calculated?
Our custom algorithm calculates a unique "Desirability Score" for any UK postcode by analysing a range of factors - including Census 2021 data, third-party insights, and socio-economic knowledge, to provide a tailored rating.
Explain more
Primary Industries
Get to know the industries that make the Bournemouth postcode area tick! Here's a look at the top four sectors shaping the local business scene.
Construction
Bournemouth has a strong presence of construction businesses, which usually means there's a lot of building going on - whether it's new homes, commercial spaces, or infrastructure. This can be a good sign that the Bournemouth area is growing and attracting investment. It could also mean there's a strong local economy, with plenty of work available for builders and tradespeople. On the flip side, it might suggest there's a fair bit of property in need of repair or updating. Either way, it tells you the Bournemouth area is pretty active and could be on the up.
Professional & Scientific
Bournemouth has a large proportion of professional and scientific businesses, which makes it a hub for specialised industries like law firms, consulting agencies, tech companies, or research labs. This suggests a high level of expertise and innovation, attracting professionals such as engineers, scientists, lawyers, and consultants. The Bournemouth area might have a more polished, business-focused atmosphere, with modern offices and co-working spaces. It's often well-connected, with good transport links and amenities to support a skilled workforce. Property prices could be higher, as these areas tend to attract well-paid professionals. It might not be the most vibrant or social place, but it will have a reputation for being smart, efficient, and future-focused.
Business Administration
If a postcode area such as BH has a lot of business administration services, such as accounting firms, HR consultancies, and management services, it's likely a centre for corporate and operational support. These businesses help other companies run smoothly, so the area might be more business-centric, attracting professionals like administrators, accountants, and consultants. The local economy could be quite strong, driven by a steady demand for services that keep companies ticking over. It's not necessarily the most exciting or creative environment, but it would be efficient, organised, and perhaps well-connected with reliable transport links. You'd expect to see a lot of office spaces in Bournemouth and maybe even shared workspaces catering to small and medium-sized businesses. The area could feel more formal and professional, with less of a residential or leisure focus.
Retail
Bournemouth area has a large quantity of retail businesses, making it a busy, commercial hub where people go to shop and socialise. High streets, shopping centres, and independent boutiques often thrive in these areas, making it a convenient place for residents and visitors alike. The presence of retail businesses can indicate that the local economy is fairly strong, with plenty of footfall and a demand for goods and services. This kind of area tends to have good transport links and a lively atmosphere, but it can also mean a bit more hustle and bustle, especially during weekends and sales events. If you're living in Bournemouth, it's handy for convenience, but it could also bring a lot of traffic and noise during peak shopping hours.
Major Employers
Major employers and businesses in the BH postcode area include:
Lloyds Banking Group
Financial Services, Bournemouth
One of the UK's largest retail and commercial banks, with a major office in Bournemouth.
Postcode Location: BH1
Vitality Health
Insurance & Healthcare, Bournemouth
A major health insurance provider, offering a range of health and life insurance products.
Postcode Location: BH1
LV= (Liverpool Victoria)
Insurance, Bournemouth
A leading insurance provider offering car, home, and life insurance products, with headquarters in Bournemouth.
Postcode Location: BH1
Barclays
Financial Services, Poole
One of the UK's largest banks, with a major office in Poole, employing staff in customer service, IT, and finance.
Postcode Location: BH12
Bournemouth University
Higher Education, Bournemouth
A well-regarded university offering a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, with a strong focus on employability.
Postcode Location: BH12
Arts University Bournemouth (AUB)
Higher Education, Bournemouth
A specialist arts university offering courses in art, design, media, and performance.
Postcode Location: BH12
Data showing the activity, size and location is from the Inter Departmental Business Register 2024, produced by the ONS.
Key Statistics
Bournemouth BH, part of the ceremonial county of Dorset in England, presents a substantial geographical area with 26 outward codes (the first half of a postcode, e.g. BH 1AA). Its population stands at 578,617 individuals, reflecting a density of 2,733 people per square kilometre. The average household income here is £47,347 , which is 35.3% higher than the average UK median household income (£35,000), indicating a stable economic profile within the region.
Postcode Area
Bournemouth
Total Outward Codes
Postcodes
Population
People
Population Density
People/km2
Average Income
Per household
What's Bournemouth like to live and work in?
Elevated views of Bournemouth beach from the cliffs above
Adobe Stock
The BH postcode area covers Bournemouth and its charming neighbourhoods. In BH1 and BH2, you'll find a vibrant town centre with its beautiful beaches, lively pier, and bustling shops.
Bournemouth's demographics reveal a diverse mix of students, professionals, and retirees, creating a lively community.
With excellent transport links, including direct trains to London and easy access to major roads, Bournemouth is well-connected to the south of England and to London.
This page contains a list of postcode districts for Bournemouth area. Select a postcode to see the map location, demographics, house prices, local information, tourist guides and statistics:
Bournemouth (BH) Postcode Districts
Bournemouth BH postcode area contains 26 postcode districts within its boundary.
Click on an outward postal code (the first half of a postcode, i.e. BH*) to explore information about the area.
House Prices in Bournemouth
How are property price trends?
The ONS (Office for National Statistics) regularly tracks and records average house prices and rents in this area (E06000058). Note that these estimates are based on local authority rather than postcode area. For more information about current house prices, choose an individual postcode below.
Dorset
The wider county
Long known as 'Thomas Hardy country' Dorset has everything from literary trails to Iron Age settlements, old-fashioned seaside resorts to beautiful Jurassic Coastline. Featuring a number of Blue Flag white sand beaches and ease of access from London, Dorset is popular in the UK for quick weekend trips to the sea.
But it is not just a county built around its coastline. Inland it also offers some quintessentially English landscapes, crossed by the chalk ranges of the South Dorset and North Dorset downs, agriculturally fertile valleys in Frome, Stour and the Vale of Blackmore and the famous marble quarries of Purbeck and Portland.
Read more about Dorset
Local Transport
Rail
The BH area offers robust rail connections, with services from South Western Railway linking key locations such as Bournemouth, Poole, and Christchurch to destinations like London, Weymouth, and beyond. Regular and reliable, they make commuting and leisure travel a breeze.
Air
For air travel, Bournemouth Airport is conveniently located, offering flights to various UK and European destinations. This makes it excellent for both business and holiday trips, adding to the convenience of living in the BH postal area.
Commuting by Car
The A31 and A338 provide major road links in the BH area, ensuring easy access to the motorway network. Whether you're commuting to work or heading out for a weekend adventure, driving in this region is straightforward and convenient.
Buses
Public transport is well-catered for with local bus services operating frequently. Providers like Morebus and Yellow Buses offer comprehensive routes that cover towns and suburbs within the BH postcode, making day-to-day travel hassle-free.
Train Stations
The following railway stations are within the BH postcode region:
Bournemouth Railway Station
Branksome Railway Station
Christchurch Railway Station
Hamworthy Railway Station
Hinton Admiral Railway Station
Holton Heath Railway Station
New Milton Railway Station
Parkstone Railway Station
Pokesdown Railway Station
Poole Railway Station
Wareham Railway Station
Wool Railway Station
Local Authorities
BH Postcode area
Local Authorities are government organisations responsible for providing local services and facilities such as education, housing, and social services within a specific area. The BH postcode area includes the following local authorities:
Bournemouth
Bournemouth Borough Council focuses on urban regeneration, tourism, and providing extensive public services to support its vibrant coastal community and enhance residents' quality of life.
Christchurch
Christchurch Borough Council is dedicated to preserving its historical heritage, promoting tourism, and providing high-quality public services to support a thriving community.
East Dorset
East Dorset District Council focuses on supporting rural communities, promoting sustainable development, and providing high-quality public services to enhance residents' quality of life.
GDP (Gross Domestic Product)
Economic Output
GDP (Gross Domestic Product) measures the total economic output of a country, region, or Local Authority. It tells us how much money is being made within a particular area. This includes everything from a business selling cars or consumers getting their hair cut.
This list of the Local Authorities within the Bournemouth (BH) postcode town gives us a snapshot of how much money is being generated at current market prices, based on what people are spending and earning. It's an important way to understand the economic health and activity levels across the UK.
For comparison purposes, we've included the top and bottom two local authorities across the UK in terms of GDP.
Local Authority
GDP (£)
GDP trends over time
The graph below shows the total GDP values for all Local Authorities within the Bournemouth (BH) area:
When we talk about GDP at current market prices, we're looking at the total value of all goods and services produced in an area, but the key bit here is "current market prices." This means it includes the value of goods and services as they're bought and sold right now, without adjusting for inflation or changes in prices over time.
So, for example a figure of £2,047 GDP means that, on average, each person within an area contributes this amount to the UK economy each year.
Republished from the ONS regional gross domestic product: local authorities under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Latest available data: April 2022.
Education
Highest Rated Schools in BH
As rated by Ofsted
- Twynham School
Sopers Lane, Christchurch, BH23 1JF
Secondary School (11-19)Outstanding - Parkstone Grammar School
Sopers Lane, Poole, BH17 7EP
Secondary School (11-18)Outstanding - Queen's Park Academy
East Way, Bournemouth, BH8 9PU
Primary School (7-11)Outstanding - Bournemouth School for Girls
Castle Gate Close, Bournemouth, BH8 9UJ
Secondary School (11-18)Outstanding - Rushcombe First School
Hanham Road, Wimborne, BH21 3PX
Primary School (4-9)Outstanding - Christchurch Infant School
Addiscombe Road, Christchurch, BH23 2AE
Primary School (5-7)Outstanding - Avonbourne Boys' Academy
Harewood Avenue, Bournemouth, BH7 6NZ
Secondary School (11-16)Outstanding - Hampreston Church of England Voluntary Aided First School
Hampreston Village, Wimborne, BH21 7LX
Primary School (5-9)Outstanding - Manorside Academy
Evering Avenue, Poole, BH12 4JG
Primary School (3-11)Outstanding - Canford Heath Infant School
Learoyd Road, Poole, BH17 8PJ
Primary School (4-7)Outstanding
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