Goostrey’s story
6 listed buildings, 1 of them Grade II*
Historic England lists them inside Goostrey’s built-up area.
15% of its homes were built before 1919, against 15% in the typical UK town.
Explore the history →
GoostreyCheshire
1,952 residents make their home in this village in Cheshire, North West.
7 places within 12 milesMap →
Photo: Ydam · CC BY 2.5
Population
1,952
Census 2021 · Cheshire East council
Median home
£460K
67 sales in 3 years
Median age
58.5
40% are 65+ · Cheshire 21%
Degree level
47%
of residents 16+ · England 34%
Walk, cycle, bus
12%
of commuters · England 27%
Is Goostrey a good place to live?
Goostrey is a safe place by the numbers (A+): 10.3 violent and sexual offences and 2.4 home and vehicle crimes per 1,000 residents a year. Cost of living is its weak spot — homes sell for a median £460,000, about 8.7 times local household income. Walkability is weaker too: 12% of commuters get to work on foot, by bike or by public transport. It skews older: 40% of residents are 65 or over.
Figures: crime, police.uk, averaged Sep 2023 to Aug 2026 · prices, HM Land Registry, the last three years · commuting, Census 2021. Goostrey has fewer than 2,500 residents, so it gets subject grades but no overall grade.
What makes Goostrey stand out
The 3 things Goostrey does most differently from other towns.
Residents 65 and over
Who lives here
40% are 65 or over
Against 18% across England’s towns
Walk, cycle or public transport
Getting around
12% leave the car
of commuters walk, cycle or take public transport (England’s towns 27%)
93%of UK towns of 1,000 to 2,500 people
Safety
of UK towns of 1,000 to 2,500 people
Per resident, police.uk, 3 years.
How Goostrey grades
Each subject compared with the 2,160 UK towns with an overall grade (schools within England), ordered by how far Goostrey is from typical. American towns are graded separately.
SafetyVery little crime by comparisonA+Open →HealthLife expectancy 83.1 for men, 85.9 for womenA+Open →Jobs & income1.4% of 16 to 64s claim unemployment benefitsA−Open →Cost of livingIn the bottom fifth of the towns comparedC−Open →SchoolsPrimary results beat 79% of towns in England; secondary results beat 67% of towns in EnglandA−Open →WalkabilityGraded on how easily people get around without a carC+Open →Hazard risk0.1% of homes at high or medium risk of flooding from rivers or the seaBOpen →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
HistoryLess recorded history than most townsCOpen →Outdoors42% live within 400 m of a parkD−Open →Civic life3.6 local charities per 1,000 residents; 0% live within 1 km of a libraryB−Open →
How TownRatings grades towns →
The data
Data highlights are ordered by what stands out in Goostrey.
Who lives here
Children make up only 11% of Goostrey, fewer than in both Cheshire’s towns and England’s towns
Degrees are held by 47% of adults, higher than both Cheshire’s towns (34%) and England’s towns (34%). People aged 15 to 24 are 8.2% of the population. The middle age in Goostrey is 58.5.
58.5median age
GoostreyCheshireEngland
Ages · share of residents
40%
Qualifications · residents 16 and older
No qualifications15%
Apprenticeship6%
A levels or similar12%
Degree level47%
Women and men · all residents
51% women, 49% men
About an even split. Across England, 51% of residents are women.
| Goostrey | Cheshire | England | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 15 | 11% | 17% | 18% |
| 15–24 | 8.2% | 10% | 12% |
| 25–44 | 10% | 25% | 27% |
| 45–64 | 30% | 27% | 25% |
| 65+ | 40% | 21% | 18% |
| No qualifications | 15% | 17% | 18% |
| Apprenticeship | 5.6% | 5.7% | 5.3% |
| A levels or similar | 12% | 17% | 17% |
| Degree level | 47% | 34% | 34% |
ONS Census 2021 · Cheshire and England: all residents of their built-up areas · OGL
SchoolsA−
On exam results, Goostrey’s schools beat 77% of towns in England
Secondary results at the one secondary school within 3 km: an Attainment 8 score of 49.4, with 48% at grade 5 or above in English and maths. Below is its only school. Key Stage 2 results at the 3 primary schools within 3 km: 67% of pupils meet the expected standard in reading, writing and maths (three-year average).
A−School Grade
| School | Level | Pupils | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goostrey Community Primary SchoolLargest primary schoolPrimary | Primary | 197 | A |
Department for Education · GIAS, Key Stage 2 and GCSE resultsThe Schools page →
Safety
Fewer crimes per resident in Goostrey than in 96% of UK towns
Over the year to August 2026, 23 offences were reported in Goostrey. For its size, Goostrey records less crime per resident than 93% of the 1,541 UK towns of 1,000 to 2,500 people. There were 0.3 anti-social behaviour reports per 1,000 residents (not graded), below both Cheshire’s towns (3.7) and England’s towns (7.8). Of all the crimes, 74% were violence and sexual offences.
10.3violent and sexual offences per 1,000 a yearA+Safety Grade
Compared with UK towns its sizeLess crime per resident than 93% of the 1,541 UK towns of 1,000 to 2,500 people: less crime than most for its size. Context only, not part of the grade.
Reports by type · Sep 2025 to Aug 2026
Violence & sexual17
Public order3
Damage & arson1
Other theft1
Burglary1
Shoplifting0
Drugs0
Vehicle crime0
Anti-social0
Not gradedAnti-social behaviour, shoplifting and other theft are shown but left out of the Safety Grade, which counts violence and crimes against homes and vehicles per resident.
10.3
violent and sexual offences per 1,000 residents a year, averaged Sep 2023 to Aug 2026
2.4
burglary, vehicle crime and damage per 1,000 a year, averaged Sep 2023 to Aug 2026
0.3
anti-social behaviour reports per 1,000 (not graded)
23
crimes recorded in the 12 months to August 2026
data.police.uk street-level crime · points inside the ONS built-up-area boundary · OGL · The police category of violence and sexual offences includes harassment and stalking.
Health
Lifespans in Goostrey run longer than in 87% of UK towns
At the census, 3.7% of residents said their health was bad or very bad, below both Cheshire’s towns (5.4%) and England’s towns (5.2%). The nearest A&E to Goostrey is Macclesfield District General Hospital, 9 miles away. The town has no GP practice of its own; the nearest is 1.8 miles away.
83%good or very good healthA+Health Grade
General health, self-reported
Good or very good 83%Fair 13%Bad or very bad 4%
| Census 2021 | Goostrey | Cheshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Good or very good health | 83% | 82% | 82% |
| Bad or very bad health | 3.7% | 5.4% | 5.2% |
| Disabled (Equality Act) | 18% | 18% | 17% |
83.1
life expectancy at birth, men (2019–23)
85.9
life expectancy at birth, women
ONS Census 2021, general health and disability · OHID Fingertips, life expectancy 2019–23 · OGL · The census answers take no account of age, so a young town looks healthier; the Health Grade relies on age-adjusted measures, life expectancy and early deaths among them.
HousingCost of living grade C−
Few households rent privately in Goostrey: 4%, fewer than in both Cheshire’s towns and England’s towns
Owners make up 87% of households, above Cheshire’s towns (68%) and England’s towns (61%) alike. Nearly one in ten households live in social housing. Private rents average £985 a month across the Cheshire East council area.
£460Kmedian sale
Median sale price · Sep 2023 to Aug 2026
Goostrey£460K
Typical UK town£277K
| By type | Median | Sales |
|---|---|---|
| Detached | £542,500 | 39 |
| Semi-detached | £410,000 | 21 |
| Terraced | £275,000 | 5 |
87%
of households own their home · England 61%
4%
rent privately · England 21%
£985
average private rent a month, Cheshire East council area
£2,426
council tax, Band D, 2026–27
HM Land Registry Price Paid · ONS private rents · MHCLG / Welsh Government council tax · ONS Census 2021 tenure · OGL
History
The Church of St Luke (Grade II*) heads Goostrey’s short list of listed buildings
The heritage lists give each building’s grade but not its age, so we don’t say which is oldest.
Of Goostrey’s land, 100% lies in conservation areas, near Cheshire’s towns (100%) and higher than England’s towns (7%). Homes from before 1919 make up 15% of the total.
6listed buildingsCHistory Grade
Listed buildings by grade · Historic England
Grade I0
Grade II*1
Grade II5
Among them · Grade II*
- Church of St Luke Grade II*
0
scheduled monuments
0
registered parks and gardens
15%
of homes built before 1919 · typical UK town 15%
31
listed buildings per 10,000 residents · typical UK town 24
Historic England list, October 2026 · Valuation Office Agency, homes by build period · OGL
Work & commuteJobs & income grade A−
Under 5 km to work: 17% in Goostrey, fewer than in both Cheshire’s towns and England’s towns
The Census was taken on 21 March 2021, in lockdown, so 53% of workers were mainly at home; shares here are of those who travelled.
The average household earns £63K a year before tax. The car took 86% of commuters, above Cheshire’s towns (80%) and England’s towns (70%) alike, and 53% of workers did their job mainly from home at the census. Work in town: 6% of resident commuters.
12%walk, cycle or ride
How commuters got to work · March 2021
Driving86%
On foot8%
Bus1%
Train1%
Bicycle1%
17%
of commuters travel under 5 km · England 45%
53%
worked mainly from home in March 2021
£63K
mean household income, before tax
1.4%
of 16 to 64s claim unemployment benefits (2026)
C+
Walkability: more walkable than 40% of UK towns
ONS Census 2021, method of travel and distance to work · ONS small-area income · DWP claimant count · OGL
Nearby attractions
All attractions →Peover Hall and 3 more in and around Goostrey
Museums, castles, gardens and days out in and near Goostrey. Best known first.
Historic housePeover Hall3 km outside town, to the north
Historic houseCranage Hall1.6 km outside town, to the southwestAttractionAttractionJodrell Bank Discovery Centre1.7 km outside town, to the eastAttractionAttractionTree of Imagination3.9 km outside town, to the northwestPlaces: © OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata
Photos: each place’s Wikidata image, from Wikimedia Commons under the licence below (our copy, resized).
Photo credits (2)
- Peover Hall: Iain McDonald, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Cranage Hall: John Naisbitt, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Goostrey
14pages on Goostrey
The big questions
SafetyA+10.3 violent and sexual offences per 1,000 residents a year, averaged Sep 2023 to Aug 2026Cost of livingC−Median home £460K · rent £985 a monthHousing19 sold in 12 months · busiest street Main RoadSchoolsA−1 state schoolHealthA+Life expectancy 83.1 (men), 85.9 (women)Work & commuteA−65% of working residents work in the townFlood & hazardsB0.1% of homes at high or medium flood risk
Out and about
Goostrey’s neighbours
The nearest built-up areas, from ONS’s 2022 boundaries. See them on the map →
Holmes ChapelChelfordMiddlewichKnutsfordLostock GralamSandbachElworthGoostrey
How the neighbours grade
| Town | People | Miles | Overall | Cost | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goostrey | 1,952 | — | — | C− | A+ | A+ |
| Holmes Chapel | 6,674 | 1.8 | A | C+ | A− | A |
| Chelford | 1,377 | 4.2 | — | C− | A+ | A |
| Middlewich | 14,428 | 4.9 | C+ | B+ | C | C |
| Knutsford | 13,254 | 5.4 | A | C− | B | A |
| Lostock Gralam | 2,719 | 5.6 | C− | B | C+ | C |
| Sandbach | 11,289 | 5.7 | B | B | C | C+ |
| Elworth | 7,646 | 5.8 | A | B | B | B+ |
Chelford has fewer than 2,500 residents, so it gets subject grades but no overall grade. People: Census 2021. Miles: centre to centre.
Questions about Goostrey
Is Goostrey expensive to live in?
Homes cost more than in most UK towns: the median sale over three years was £460,000, against £277,000 in the typical UK town. By type: terraced houses £275,000, semi-detached houses £410,000 and detached houses £542,500.
Are schools in Goostrey good?
Primary schools stand out: Key Stage 2 results beat 79% of towns in England. Secondary results are closer to the middle, beating 67%. One state school is inside the town; places are handled by Cheshire East council.
About Goostrey
Village in Cheshire, England
Goostrey is a built-up area of 1,952 people, in the Cheshire East council area. TownRatings uses ONS’s 2022 built-up areas as towns: the physical town, as people mean the word, rather than a council district, so its figures cover the town itself.
Built from ONS geography and Census 2021
- Population
- 1,952 (Census 2021)
- Council
- Cheshire East
- County
- Cheshire
- Region
- North West
- Area
- 0.4 sq mi (1 km²)
- ONS code
- E63001640
Sources: ONS Census 2021, output areas summed to the ONS 2022 built-up area · HM Land Registry Price Paid (standard sales, September 2023 to August 2026) · ONS Price Index of Private Rents (August 2026, by council) · MHCLG and Welsh Government council tax, Band D 2026–27 (with parish precepts in England) · data.police.uk street-level crime, 36 months to August 2026, points inside the built-up-area boundary · ONS small-area life expectancy and healthy life expectancy, 2019 to 2023 (England and Wales), OHID Fingertips small-area indicators (England) and Census 2021 health, adjusted for age · ONS small-area income estimates (financial year ending 2023) · DWP claimant count via Nomis (January to August 2026) · Historic England, National Heritage List for England (listed buildings, scheduled monuments, registered parks and gardens, battlefields, World Heritage Sites), October 2026, inside the ONS 2022 built-up-area boundary · Valuation Office Agency, Council Tax: stock of properties by build period (31 March 2025) · TownRatings grades: our own summary of the data, ranked against UK towns only. All under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2026. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2026 (ONS boundaries). Northern Ireland: Source: NISRA; contains Land & Property Services data and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland information, © Crown copyright, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Scotland: contains National Records of Scotland data, Registers of Scotland data and SEPA data, © Crown copyright / © SEPA 2025, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.