Living in Hertfordshire

Hertfordshire is a county in the East of England, located immediately to the north of London and shaped by both its rural past and modern connections. The landscape includes rolling countryside, farmland and woodland, alongside towns that have expanded through transport links and commuting. Despite its proximity to the capital, much of the county retains a settled and well established feel.

The county includes towns such as St Albans, Watford, Hemel Hempstead, Stevenage and Hitchin, each with its own character and history. St Albans is noted for its historic centre and Roman roots, while Stevenage developed as one of the UK’s first new towns. Across Hertfordshire, communities balance local employment, commuting and strong residential identities.

Hertfordshire benefits from a network of rivers, parks and green spaces that support walking, cycling and outdoor leisure. Market towns, villages and countryside remain an important part of daily life, even within more built up areas. Overall, Hertfordshire offers a calm blend of historic settlement, accessible countryside and practical modern living, giving it a steady and enduring place within southern England.

Largest Towns in Hertfordshire 12

St. Albans
114.9K
Hemel Hempstead
95K
Stevenage
93.4K
Watford
92.9K
Hitchin
60.3K
Waltham Cross
57.7K
Luton
56.5K
Hatfield
46K
Rickmansworth
40.8K
Bishop's Stortford
40.4K
Royston
38.2K
Ware
37.8K

Location

Elevation & Terrain

Lowest point Waltham Cross — 79 ft (24 m)
Highest point Wigginton — 725 ft (221 m)
Average across towns 331 ft (101 m)
Elevation range 646 ft (197 m)

Hertfordshire stretches from 79 ft at Waltham Cross up to 725 ft at Wigginton, a span of 646 ft across 543 towns and villages. This reflects notably varied terrain, with clear contrasts between lower valleys and higher ground.

Deprivation Index (IMD)

Average deprivation scores across 51 postcode areas in Hertfordshire. Higher deciles (closer to 10) indicate less deprivation.

Overall Deprivation
7/10
Income
7/10
Employment
7/10
Education
7/10
Health
8/10
Housing
6/10
Environment
6/10
386,442 Children (0-15) 20%
1,215,599 Working Age 62%
467,521 Older (60+) 24%

Places in Hertfordshire 543

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U V W Y

Postcode Areas in Hertfordshire 8

Hertfordshire is served by 8 postcode areas. Each area contains multiple postcode districts covering different parts of the county.

Neighbouring Counties 6