Medway
Panoramic view of Aylesford village in Kent, England with medieval bridge over the river Medway and church
Medway (ME) Postcode Area
Medway: Historic river town, maritime heritage, picturesque waterfront, cultural diversity, and a growing hub for arts and education. A blend of history, innovation, and community spirit in Kent.
Medway Postcode Area includes:
Rochester, Chatham, Aylesford, Snodland, West Malling, Gillingham, Sittingbourne, Queenborough, Sheerness, Faversham, Maidstone.
Discover everything you need to know about Medway 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 Medway (ME), 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
What's behind the hustle and bustle in the Medway postcode ara? Here are the top four industries that power the local economy and shape the community.
Construction
Medway 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 Medway 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 Medway area is pretty active and could be on the up.
Professional & Scientific
Medway 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 Medway 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 ME 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 Medway 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
Medway 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 Medway, 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 ME postcode area include:
Shepherd Neame Brewery
Food & Drink Manufacturing, Faversham
The UK's oldest brewery, producing a range of beers and running a chain of pubs and hotels across the region.
Postcode Location: ME13
Data showing the activity, size and location is from the Inter Departmental Business Register 2024, produced by the ONS.
Key Statistics
Medway ME, part of the ceremonial county of Kent in England, presents a substantial geographical area with 20 outward codes (the first half of a postcode, e.g. ME 1AA). Its population stands at 664,160 individuals, reflecting a density of 2,960 people per square kilometre. The average household income here is £49,445 , which is 41.3% higher than the average UK median household income (£35,000), indicating a stable economic profile within the region.
Postcode Area
Medway
Total Outward Codes
Postcodes
Population
People
Population Density
People/km2
Average Income
Per household
What's Medway like to live and work in?
Panoramic view of Aylesford village in Kent, England with medieval bridge over the river Medway and church
Adobe Stock
Medway, located in Kent, has a population of around 280,000. The housing market is diverse, offering everything from riverside apartments in Chatham to Victorian and Edwardian homes in Rochester and Gillingham.
Affordable housing can be found in areas like Strood and Rainham, while more upscale options are available in suburbs such as Upnor and Hempstead.
Medway benefits from excellent transport links, including the M2 motorway and high-speed rail services to London. The area has good educational facilities, including the University of Greenwich at Medway.
This page contains a list of postcode districts for Medway area. Select a postcode to see the map location, demographics, house prices, local information, tourist guides and statistics:
Medway (ME) Postcode Districts
House Prices in Medway
How are property price trends?
The ONS (Office for National Statistics) regularly tracks and records average house prices and rents in this area (E06000035). 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.
Kent
The wider county
Rightly known as 'the garden of England', Kent often seems like London's back garden, a green and fertile landscape of farmland, orchards, country estates and world-famous public gardens. It also produces the renowned Kentish Ales from the Kentish hop farms and attracts beer and ale lovers from all over the world.
With a variety of beach resorts and cities packed with sites of crucial importance in British history, this is truly a county that has it all.
Read more about Kent
Local Transport
Transport in the ME Postal Area
The ME postal area in the UK offers a variety of transport options to suit your needs. If you prefer to commute by rail, you'll find numerous train stations providing regular services to London and other key destinations. This makes it ideal for city workers seeking a balance between metropolitan convenience and the charm of suburban living.
For those who often fly, London Gatwick and London City Airport are within reasonable driving distance, offering a range of domestic and international flights. It's a great perk for both business travellers and holidaymakers.
Commuting by car is also straightforward. The ME area enjoys good connectivity with major roads and motorways, including the M2 and A2, ensuring smooth access to surrounding regions and London.
Buses here are frequent and reliable, connecting the towns and villages within the postal area and beyond. They provide a convenient option for daily commuting or exploring the local area without the need for a car.
Train Stations
The following railway stations are within the ME postcode region:
Aylesford Railway Station
Barming Railway Station
Bearsted Railway Station
Chatham Railway Station
Cuxton Railway Station
East Farleigh Railway Station
East Malling Railway Station
Faversham Railway Station
Gillingham (Kent) Railway Station
Halling Railway Station
Harrietsham Railway Station
Higham Railway Station
Hollingbourne Railway Station
Kemsley Railway Station
Lenham Railway Station
Maidstone Barracks Railway Station
Maidstone East Railway Station
Maidstone West Railway Station
New Hythe Railway Station
Newington Railway Station
Queenborough Railway Station
Rainham (Kent) Railway Station
Rochester Railway Station
Selling Railway Station
Sheerness-On-Sea Railway Station
Sittingbourne Railway Station
Snodland Railway Station
Strood Railway Station
Swale Railway Station
Teynham Railway Station
Wateringbury Railway Station
West Malling Railway Station
Yalding Railway Station
Local Authorities
ME 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 ME postcode area includes the following local authorities:
Ashford
Ashford Borough Council oversees the district of Ashford, focusing on urban development, economic prosperity, and delivering comprehensive public services to support community welfare and enhance residents' living standards.
Gravesham
Gravesham Borough Council governs the district of Gravesham, prioritising urban revitalisation, economic growth, and providing extensive public amenities to foster community well-being and elevate residents' quality of life.
Maidstone
Maidstone Borough Council oversees the borough of Maidstone, emphasising urban regeneration, economic advancement, and delivering high-quality public services to support community welfare and enrich residents' standard of living.
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 Medway (ME) 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 Medway (ME) 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 £2,198 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 ME
As rated by Ofsted
- Abbey Court Foundation Special School
Rede Court Road, Rochester, ME2 3SP
Secondary School (3-19)Outstanding - Five Acre Wood School
Boughton Lane, Maidstone, ME15 9QF
Secondary School (2-19)Outstanding - Oaks Primary Academy
Oak Tree Avenue, Maidstone, ME15 9AX
Primary School (3-11)Outstanding - Fort Pitt Grammar School
Fort Pitt Hill, Chatham, ME4 6TJ
Secondary School (11-18)Outstanding - Bradfields Academy
Churchill Avenue, Chatham, ME5 0LB
Secondary School (4-19)Outstanding - Queenborough School and Nursery
Edward Road, Queenborough, ME11 5DF
Primary School (3-11)Outstanding - Jubilee Primary School
Gatland Lane, Maidstone, ME16 8PF
Primary School (4-11)Outstanding - Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School
Maidstone Road, Rochester, ME1 3EL
Secondary School (11-18)Outstanding - Bredhurst Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School
The Street, Gillingham, ME7 3JY
Primary School (4-11)Outstanding - St Michael's Church of England Infant School Maidstone
Douglas Road, Maidstone, ME16 8ER
Primary School (5-7)Outstanding
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