Fishtoft’s story
5 listed buildings, 1 of them Grade I
Historic England lists them inside Fishtoft’s built-up area.
6% of its homes were built before 1919, against 15% in the typical UK town.
Explore the history →
FishtoftLincolnshire
Population 1,077: a village in Lincolnshire, East Midlands. Mortgage-free owners make up 50% of households.
7 places within 12 milesMap →
Photo: Jim Dugdale · CC BY-SA 2.0
Population
1,077
Census 2021 · Boston council
Median home
£255K
33 sales in 3 years
Median age
48.8
25% are 65+ · Lincolnshire 22%
Degree level
23%
of residents 16+ · England 34%
Walk, cycle, bus
5%
of commuters · England 27%
Is Fishtoft a good place to live?
Recorded crime is low: 15.5 violent and sexual offences and 3.4 home and vehicle crimes per 1,000 residents a year. Pupils here do better than most: primary results beat 46% of towns in England; secondary results beat 91% of towns in England. At a median £255,000, a home costs 6.1 times the yearly income of households in the Boston council area. It is hard to get around without a car: on the way to work, 5% walk, cycle or take a bus or train.
Figures: crime, police.uk, averaged Sep 2023 to Aug 2026 · commuting, Census 2021 · prices, HM Land Registry, the last three years · incomes, ONS. Fishtoft is graded on each subject, but towns under 2,500 get no overall grade.
What makes Fishtoft stand out
The 3 things Fishtoft does most differently from other towns.
Walk, cycle or public transport
Getting around
5% leave the car
of commuters walk, cycle or take public transport (England’s towns 27%)
Own outright
Housing
50% own outright
of households own their home with no mortgage (England’s towns 32%)
Secondary results, towns in England
Schools
Secondary results beat 91%
of towns in England, on GCSE results (Attainment 8, English and maths)
Primary results beat 46%. Department for Education.
How Fishtoft grades
Each subject compared with the 2,160 UK towns with an overall grade (schools within England), ordered by how far Fishtoft is from typical. American towns are graded separately.
Fishtoft is graded on each subject, but towns under 2,500 get no overall grade.
WalkabilityAmong the weakest of the towns comparedD−Open →Cost of livingGraded on home prices against local incomesDOpen →SafetyVery little crime by comparisonAOpen →Hazard risk1.7% of homes at high or medium risk of flooding from rivers or the seaC−Open →SchoolsPrimary results beat 46% of towns in England; secondary results beat 91% of towns in EnglandB+Open →Jobs & incomeMean household income £49,055COpen →HealthLife expectancy 80.6 for men, 84 for womenC+Open →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
HistoryWeaker than most of the towns comparedCOpen →Outdoors100% live within 400 m of a park; 2.3 ha of public green space per 1,000 residentsBOpen →Civic life2.8 local charities per 1,000 residents; 0% live within 1 km of a libraryC+Open →
How TownRatings grades towns →
The data
Data highlights are ordered by what stands out in Fishtoft.
Work & commuteJobs & income grade C
More commuters in Fishtoft drive than in Lincolnshire’s towns or England’s towns: 94%
The Census was taken on 21 March 2021, in lockdown, so 15% of workers were mainly at home; shares here are of those who travelled.
The census counted 15% of workers working mainly from home. Short trips to work, under 5 km: 52%, higher than both Lincolnshire’s towns (46%) and England’s towns (45%). 2.9% of people aged 16 to 64 were on unemployment benefits in 2026. About 2% of its commuters stay in Fishtoft for work.
5%walk, cycle or ride
How commuters got to work · March 2021
Driving94%
On foot2%
Bicycle2%
52%
of commuters travel under 5 km · England 45%
15%
worked mainly from home in March 2021
£49K
mean household income, before tax
2.9%
of 16 to 64s claim unemployment benefits (2026)
D−
Walkability: behind almost every UK town
ONS Census 2021, method of travel and distance to work · ONS small-area income · DWP claimant count · OGL
SchoolsB+
On exam results, Fishtoft’s schools beat 73% of towns in England
At the 7 primary schools within 3 km, just over three in five pupils reach the expected standard in reading, writing and maths (three-year average). The one school in town appears below. Secondary results at the one secondary school within 3 km: an Attainment 8 score of 54.7, with 61% at grade 5 or above in English and maths.
B+School Grade
| School | Level | Pupils | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fishtoft AcademyLargest primary schoolPrimary | Primary | 60 | B |
Department for Education · GIAS, Key Stage 2 and GCSE resultsThe Schools page →
HousingCost of living grade D
Private renting is less common in Fishtoft than in Lincolnshire’s towns or across England’s towns: 8%
The owner-occupied share of households is 75%. The median sale, £255,000, comes from 33 standard sales inside Fishtoft’s built-up area from September 2023 to August 2026. Private rents average £806 a month across the Boston council area.
£255Kmedian sale
Median sale price · Sep 2023 to Aug 2026
Fishtoft£255K
Typical UK town£277K
| By type | Median | Sales |
|---|---|---|
| Detached | £290,000 | 25 |
| Semi-detached | £199,000 | 6 |
75%
of households own their home · England 61%
8%
rent privately · England 21%
£806
average private rent a month, Boston council area
£2,298
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
Fewer crimes per resident in Fishtoft than in 85% of UK towns
In the 12 months to August 2026, police logged 29 crimes and 7 reports of anti-social behaviour inside Fishtoft’s built-up area. Among the 1,541 UK towns of 1,000 to 2,500 people, Fishtoft has less crime per resident than 72% of them. 76% of the crimes fell under violence and sexual offences. Anti-social behaviour, shown but not graded, came to 4 reports per 1,000, lower than both Lincolnshire’s towns (9.7) and England’s towns (7.8).
15.5violent and sexual offences per 1,000 a yearASafety Grade
Compared with UK towns its sizeLess crime per resident than 72% 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 & sexual22
Other theft3
Damage & arson1
Public order1
Vehicle crime1
Other crime1
Shoplifting0
Burglary0
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.
15.5
violent and sexual offences per 1,000 residents a year, averaged Sep 2023 to Aug 2026
3.4
burglary, vehicle crime and damage per 1,000 a year, averaged Sep 2023 to Aug 2026
4
anti-social behaviour reports per 1,000 (not graded)
29
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.
History
The Church of St Guthlac (Grade I) heads Fishtoft’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.
6% of homes date from before 1919. Fishtoft’s listed buildings include the Church of St Guthlac, Grade I.
5listed buildingsCHistory Grade
Listed buildings by grade · Historic England
Grade I1
Grade II*0
Grade II4
Among them · Grade I
- Church of St Guthlac Grade I
0
scheduled monuments
0
registered parks and gardens
6%
of homes built before 1919 · typical UK town 15%
46
listed buildings per 10,000 residents · typical UK town 24
Historic England list, October 2026 · Valuation Office Agency, homes by build period · OGL
Health
Most people in Fishtoft (80%) report good or very good health
Seeing a GP means leaving Fishtoft: the nearest practice is 2.3 miles away. Disability touches 20% of the town’s population. The nearest A&E to Fishtoft is Pilgrim Hospital, 2.5 miles away.
80%good or very good healthC+Health Grade
General health, self-reported
Good or very good 80%Fair 14%Bad or very bad 6%
| Census 2021 | Fishtoft | Lincolnshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Good or very good health | 80% | 79% | 82% |
| Bad or very bad health | 5.7% | 5.9% | 5.2% |
| Disabled (Equality Act) | 20% | 20% | 17% |
80.6
life expectancy at birth, men (2019–23)
84
life expectancy at birth, women
ONS Census 2021, general health and disability · OHID Fingertips, life expectancy 2019–23 · OGL · 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.
Who lives here
Older residents shape Fishtoft: 25% are 65 or over, above Lincolnshire’s towns and England’s towns
Children under 15 make up 16% of residents. Young adults of 15 to 24 are 8.7% of residents, lower than both Lincolnshire’s towns (11%) and England’s towns (12%). Half the people of Fishtoft are older than 48.8.
48.8median age
FishtoftLincolnshireEngland
Ages · share of residents
25%
Qualifications · residents 16 and older
No qualifications22%
Apprenticeship8%
A levels or similar16%
Degree level23%
Women and men · all residents
50% women, 50% men
About an even split. Across England, 51% of residents are women.
| Fishtoft | Lincolnshire | England | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 15 | 16% | 16% | 18% |
| 15–24 | 8.7% | 11% | 12% |
| 25–44 | 22% | 23% | 27% |
| 45–64 | 28% | 27% | 25% |
| 65+ | 25% | 22% | 18% |
| No qualifications | 22% | 21% | 18% |
| Apprenticeship | 8% | 6.7% | 5.3% |
| A levels or similar | 16% | 18% | 17% |
| Degree level | 23% | 25% | 34% |
ONS Census 2021 · Lincolnshire and England: all residents of their built-up areas · OGL
Nearby attractions
All attractions →Boston Guildhall and 4 more in and around Fishtoft
Museums, castles, gardens and days out in and near Fishtoft. Best known first.
MuseumBoston Guildhall3.1 km outside town, to the northwestHistoric siteHistoric siteHussey Tower2.8 km outside town, to the westCastleCastleRoos Hall1.4 km outside town, to the northeastMuseumMuseumWe'll Meet Again2.9 km outside town, to the eastCastleCastleWybert's Castle2.7 km outside town, to the southwestPlaces: © OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata
Photos: each place’s Wikidata image, from Wikimedia Commons under the licence below (our copy, resized).
Photo credits (1)
- Boston Guildhall: Christine Hasman, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Fishtoft
15pages on Fishtoft
The big questions
SafetyA15.5 violent and sexual offences per 1,000 residents a year, averaged Sep 2023 to Aug 2026Cost of livingDMedian home £255K · rent £806 a monthHousing11 sold in 12 months · busiest street Church Green RoadSchoolsB+1 state schoolHealthC+Life expectancy 80.6 (men), 84 (women)Work & commuteC30% of working residents work in the townFlood & hazardsC−1.7% of homes at high or medium flood risk
Out and about
Fishtoft’s neighbours
The nearest built-up areas, from ONS’s 2022 boundaries. See them on the map →
ButterwickBostonKirtonSibseyOld LeakeSuttertonSwinesheadFishtoft
How the neighbours grade
| Town | People | Miles | Overall | Cost | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fishtoft | 1,077 | — | — | D | A | C+ |
| Butterwick | 1,363 | 2.2 | — | C | B | C |
| Boston | 45,347 | 2.5 | D | C+ | D | C− |
| Kirton | 5,576 | 4.1 | D− | C− | C | C− |
| Sibsey | 1,520 | 5.3 | — | C− | A | C+ |
| Old Leake | 1,173 | 5.6 | — | C | C | C− |
| Sutterton | 1,068 | 6.4 | — | D | C | C− |
| Swineshead | 2,653 | 8 | C− | C− | B+ | C+ |
Butterwick, Sibsey, Old Leake and Sutterton have fewer than 2,500 residents, so they get subject grades but no overall grade. People: Census 2021. Miles: centre to centre.
Questions about Fishtoft
Does Fishtoft flood?
Surface water isn’t included. Check a specific address on GOV.UK’s flood risk service.
Are schools in Fishtoft good?
Secondary schools stand out: GCSE results beat 91% of towns in England. Primary results are closer to the middle, trailing 54%. One state school is inside the town; places are handled by Lincolnshire council.
About Fishtoft
Village in Lincolnshire, England
Fishtoft is a built-up area of 1,077 people, in the Boston 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
- 1,077 (Census 2021)
- Council
- Boston
- County
- Lincolnshire
- Region
- East Midlands
- Area
- 0.1 sq mi (0.3 km²)
- ONS code
- E63001975
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.