Woodbury’s story
45 listed buildings, 1 of them Grade I
Historic England lists them inside Woodbury’s built-up area.
23% of its homes were built before 1919, against 15% in the typical UK town.
Explore the history →
WoodburyDevon
A village of 1,749 in Devon, South West.
7 places within 12 milesMap →
Parish Church of St Swithun · Photo: Delta 51 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Population
1,749
Census 2021 · East Devon council
Median home
£386K
57 sales in 3 years
Median age
49.4
27% are 65+ · Devon 24%
Degree level
48%
of residents 16+ · England 34%
Walk, cycle, bus
13%
of commuters · England 27%
Is Woodbury a good place to live?
Woodbury has fewer than 2,500 residents, so it gets subject grades but no overall grade. Its strongest subject is health (A): life expectancy 81.8 for men, 84.5 for women. Its weakest is hazard risk (C−): 1.6% of homes at high or medium risk of flooding from rivers or the sea. The median home sold for £386,000 in the last three years, 7.2 times what households in the East Devon council area earn in a year.
Devon And Cornwall Police published 33 of the 36 months; rates are per year over the months published.
What makes Woodbury stand out
The 3 things Woodbury does most differently from other towns.
Listed buildings per 10,000 residents
History
1 Grade I, including Parish Church of St Swithun; 10.6 times the typical UK town for its size
Historic England’s list, October 2026.
Walk, cycle or public transport
Getting around
13% leave the car
Residents 65 and over
Who lives here
27% are 65 or over
Against 18% across England’s towns
How Woodbury grades
Each subject compared with the 2,160 UK towns with an overall grade (schools within England), ordered by how far Woodbury is from typical. American towns are graded separately.
HealthAOpen →Hazard riskC−Open →Cost of livingrent £968 a monthCOpen →Jobs & incomeMean household income £54,005; 1.2% of 16 to 64s claim unemployment benefitsB+Open →SafetyBOpen →WalkabilityB−Open →SchoolsPrimary results beat 49% of towns in EnglandB−Open →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
History23% of homes built before 1919AOpen →Outdoors100% live within 400 m of a park; 26% of land within 5 km is National Park or National LandscapeAOpen →Civic life4.6 local charities per 1,000 residents; 0% live within 1 km of a libraryBOpen →
How TownRatings grades towns →
The data
Data highlights are ordered by what stands out in Woodbury.
Who lives here
More people in Woodbury hold a degree than in Devon’s towns or England’s towns: 48%
For Woodbury, that is above both Devon’s towns (30%) and England’s towns (34%). People aged 15 to 24 make up 7% of the town. Woodbury has a median age of 49.4.
49.4median age
WoodburyDevonEngland
Ages · share of residents
27%
Qualifications · residents 16 and older
No qualifications11%
Apprenticeship5%
A levels or similar15%
Degree level48%
Women and men · all residents
53% women, 47% men
About 89 men for every 100 women. Across England, 51% of residents are women. Women live longer than men, so towns with many older residents have more women.
| Woodbury | Devon | England | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 15 | 17% | 15% | 18% |
| 15–24 | 7% | 12% | 12% |
| 25–44 | 20% | 23% | 27% |
| 45–64 | 29% | 26% | 25% |
| 65+ | 27% | 24% | 18% |
| No qualifications | 11% | 17% | 18% |
| Apprenticeship | 4.6% | 6.6% | 5.3% |
| A levels or similar | 15% | 19% | 17% |
| Degree level | 48% | 30% | 34% |
ONS Census 2021 · Devon and England: all residents of their built-up areas · OGL
SchoolsB−
Results at Woodbury’s schools trail 51% of towns in England
Its one school is below.
B−School Grade
| School | Level | Pupils | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woodbury Church of England Primary SchoolLargest primary schoolPrimary | Primary | 198 | B |
Department for Education · GIAS, Key Stage 2 and GCSE resultsThe Schools page →
Health
86% of people in Woodbury say their health is good or very good, more than in Devon’s towns or across England’s towns
Woodbury sits above both Devon’s towns (80%) and England’s towns (82%) on this measure. The nearest A&E to Woodbury is Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital (Wonford), 5.5 miles away. These answers aren’t adjusted for age, so young towns look healthier; the Health Grade uses age-adjusted measures, including life expectancy and early deaths.
86%good or very good healthAHealth Grade
General health, self-reported
Good or very good 86%Fair 10%Bad or very bad 4%
| Census 2021 | Woodbury | Devon | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Good or very good health | 86% | 80% | 82% |
| Bad or very bad health | 3.9% | 5.9% | 5.2% |
| Disabled (Equality Act) | 15% | 21% | 17% |
81.8
life expectancy at birth, men (2019–23)
84.5
life expectancy at birth, women
ONS Census 2021, general health and disability · OHID Fingertips, life expectancy 2019–23 · OGL
History
Woodbury is rich in listed buildings: 257 per 10,000 residents, more than Devon’s towns or England’s towns
The heritage lists give each building’s grade but not its age, so we don’t say which is oldest.
That puts Woodbury above both Devon’s towns (104) and England’s towns (39). Woodbury’s listed buildings include Parish Church of St Swithun, Grade I. Woodbury has 45 listed buildings on Historic England’s list: 1 Grade I, 1 Grade II*.
45listed buildingsAHistory Grade
Listed buildings by grade · Historic England
Grade I1
Grade II*1
Grade II43
Among them · Grade I
- Parish Church of St Swithun Grade I
0
scheduled monuments
0
registered parks and gardens
23%
of homes built before 1919 · typical UK town 15%
257
listed buildings per 10,000 residents · typical UK town 24
Historic England list, October 2026 · Valuation Office Agency, homes by build period · OGL
HousingCost of living grade C
Most households in Woodbury own their home: 74%, more than in Devon’s towns or across England’s towns
On this, Woodbury is above both Devon’s towns (64%) and England’s towns (61%). Private renters make up 15% of households.
£386Kmedian sale
Median sale price · Sep 2023 to Aug 2026
Woodbury£386K
Typical UK town£277K
| By type | Median | Sales |
|---|---|---|
| Detached | £767,500 | 18 |
| Semi-detached | £360,500 | 18 |
| Terraced | £310,000 | 18 |
74%
of households own their home · England 61%
15%
rent privately · England 21%
£968
average private rent a month, East Devon council area
£2,599
council tax, Band D, 2026–27
HM Land Registry Price Paid · ONS private rents · MHCLG / Welsh Government council tax · ONS Census 2021 tenure · OGL
Safety
Burglary and damage are rarer in Woodbury than in Devon’s towns or across England’s towns: 5.8 per 1,000 residents a year
In the comparison, Woodbury comes below both Devon’s towns (7.6) and England’s towns (9.4). Police recorded 79 crimes inside Woodbury’s built-up area in the 12 months to August 2026, plus 7 reports of anti-social behaviour. Violence and sexual offences were 61% of the crimes; the police category includes harassment and stalking.
21.4violent and sexual offences per 1,000 a yearBSafety Grade
Compared with UK towns its sizeLess crime per resident than 42% of the 1,541 UK towns of 1,000 to 2,500 people: about the middle for its size. Context only, not part of the grade.
Reports by type · Sep 2025 to Aug 2026
Violence & sexual48
Damage & arson11
Other theft7
Public order5
Other crime4
Drugs2
Burglary1
Vehicle crime1
Anti-social7
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.
21.4
violent and sexual offences per 1,000 residents a year, averaged Sep 2023 to Aug 2026
5.8
burglary, vehicle crime and damage per 1,000 a year, averaged Sep 2023 to Aug 2026
3.5
anti-social behaviour reports per 1,000 (not graded)
79
crimes recorded in the 12 months to August 2026
data.police.uk street-level crime · points inside the ONS built-up-area boundary · OGL
Work & commuteJobs & income grade B+
Fewer commuters in Woodbury work nearby than in Devon’s towns or England’s towns: 18% travel under 5 km
The Census was taken on 21 March 2021, in lockdown, so 38% of workers were mainly at home; shares here are of those who travelled.
13% of commuters walked, cycled or took the bus or train at the census, below both Devon’s towns (24%) and England’s towns (27%). 85% of commuters drove to work at the census.
13%walk, cycle or ride
How commuters got to work · March 2021
Driving85%
On foot7%
Bicycle5%
Bus1%
18%
of commuters travel under 5 km · England 45%
38%
worked mainly from home in March 2021
£54K
mean household income, before tax
1.2%
of 16 to 64s claim unemployment benefits (2026)
B−
Walkability: more walkable than 47% 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 →Powderham Castle and 7 more in and around Woodbury
Museums, castles, gardens and days out in and near Woodbury. Best known first.
CastlePowderham Castle4.9 km outside town, to the southwest
Historic house · National TrustA la Ronde3.2 km outside town, to the south
Theme parkCrealy Adventure Park2.7 km outside town, to the north
MuseumTopsham Museum3.7 km outside town, to the west
MuseumBicton Park botanical garden4.8 km outside town, to the eastAttractionAttractionRaceworld1.9 km outside town, to the northPlaces: © OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata
Photos: each place’s Wikidata image, from Wikimedia Commons under the licence below (our copy, resized).
Photo credits (5)
- Powderham Castle: raymond cocks, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- A la Ronde: Becks, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Crealy Adventure Park: Simon Cobb, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
- Topsham Museum: Simon Cobb, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
- Bicton Park botanical garden: Chris Allen, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Woodbury
15pages on Woodbury
The big questions
SafetyB21.4 violent and sexual offences per 1,000 residents a year, averaged Sep 2023 to Aug 2026Cost of livingCMedian home £386K · rent £968 a monthHousing19 sold in 12 months · busiest street BroadwaySchoolsB−1 state schoolHealthALife expectancy 81.8 (men), 84.5 (women)Work & commuteB+53% of working residents work in the townFlood & hazardsC−1.6% of homes at high or medium flood risk
Out and about
Woodbury’s neighbours
The nearest built-up areas, from ONS’s 2022 boundaries. See them on the map →
ExtonLympstoneTopshamClyst St MaryExmouthStarcrossExminsterWoodbury
How the neighbours grade
| Town | People | Miles | Overall | Cost | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woodbury | 1,749 | — | — | C | B | A |
| Exton | 1,287 | 1.7 | — | C− | A+ | A |
| Lympstone | 1,838 | 2 | — | C− | A− | A |
| Topsham | 4,193 | 3.1 | B | D− | B− | A− |
| Clyst St Mary | 1,193 | 3.2 | — | C− | A− | A+ |
| Exmouth | 35,502 | 3.2 | C | C+ | C+ | B− |
| Starcross | 1,687 | 4 | — | B | B− | B− |
| Exminster | 4,388 | 4.2 | B+ | C− | A− | B |
Exton, Lympstone, Clyst St Mary and Starcross have fewer than 2,500 residents, so they get subject grades but no overall grade. People: Census 2021. Miles: centre to centre.
Questions about Woodbury
How many listed buildings are there in Woodbury?
That is 10.6 times the typical UK town for its size. Its Grade I building is Parish Church of St Swithun.
Who lives in Woodbury?
An older village. At the 2021 Census, 27% of residents were 65 or over and 29% were 45 to 64, against 18% and 25% across England’s towns; 17% were under 15.
Does Woodbury flood?
Surface water isn’t included. Check a specific address on GOV.UK’s flood risk service.
Is Woodbury expensive to live in?
Homes cost more than in most UK towns: the median sale over three years was £386,000, against £277,000 in the typical UK town. By type: terraced houses £310,000, semi-detached houses £360,500 and detached houses £767,500.
About Woodbury
Village in Devon, England
Woodbury is a built-up area of 1,749 people, in the East Devon 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
- 1,749 (Census 2021)
- Council
- East Devon
- County
- Devon
- Region
- South West
- Area
- 0.3 sq mi (0.7 km²)
- ONS code
- E63006760
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.