Thurlby’s story
13 listed buildings, 1 of them Grade I
Historic England lists them inside Thurlby’s built-up area.
10% of its homes were built before 1919, against 15% in the typical UK town.
Explore the history →
ThurlbyLincolnshire
Secondary school results beat 100% of towns in England. The village, home to 2,139 people, lies in Lincolnshire, East Midlands.
7 places within 12 milesMap →
Photo: Mat Fascione · CC BY-SA 2.0
Population
2,139
Census 2021 · South Kesteven council
Median home
£363K
85 sales in 3 years
Median age
50.6
27% are 65+ · Lincolnshire 22%
Degree level
35%
of residents 16+ · England 34%
Walk, cycle, bus
6%
of commuters · England 27%
Is Thurlby a good place to live?
Schools are its strong suit (A+) — primary results beat 86% of towns in England; secondary results beat 100% of towns in England. Police record less crime here than in most towns: 12.3 violent or sexual offences per 1,000 residents a year, plus 4.7 home and vehicle crimes. Its weakest subject is walkability — 6% of commuters walk, cycle or take public transport. It takes 6.9 years of household income in the South Kesteven council area to buy the median home, at £362,500.
Figures: crime, police.uk, averaged Sep 2023 to Aug 2026 · commuting, Census 2021 · prices, HM Land Registry, the last three years · incomes, ONS. With fewer than 2,500 residents, Thurlby has subject grades but no overall one.
What makes Thurlby stand out
The 3 things Thurlby does most differently from other towns.
Walk, cycle or public transport
Getting around
6% leave the car
of commuters walk, cycle or take public transport (England’s towns 27%)
Listed buildings per 10,000 residents
History
1 Grade I, including Church of St Firmin; 2.5 times the typical UK town for its size
Historic England’s list, October 2026.
Secondary results, towns in England
Schools
Secondary results beat 100%
of towns in England, on GCSE results (Attainment 8, English and maths)
Primary results beat 86%. Department for Education.
How Thurlby grades
Each subject compared with the 2,160 UK towns with an overall grade (schools within England), ordered by how far Thurlby is from typical. American towns are graded separately.
WalkabilityAmong the hardest places to get around without a carD−Open →SchoolsPrimary results beat 86% of towns in England; secondary results beat 100% of towns in EnglandA+Open →SafetyNear the top of the towns comparedAOpen →HealthGraded on how healthy residents areAOpen →Jobs & income1.2% of 16 to 64s claim unemployment benefitsA−Open →Cost of livingHomes are easier to afford than in most townsB+Open →Hazard risk0.4% of homes at high or medium risk of flooding from rivers or the seaC+Open →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
HistoryBelow the middle of the towns comparedC+Open →Outdoors54% live within 400 m of a park; 1.3 ha of public green space per 1,000 residentsDOpen →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 Thurlby.
Work & commuteJobs & income grade A−
More commuters in Thurlby drive than in Lincolnshire’s towns or England’s towns: 92%
The Census was taken on 21 March 2021, in lockdown, so 36% of workers were mainly at home; shares here are of those who travelled.
28% of commuters travelled under 5 km to work. Working mainly from home: 36% of workers, above Lincolnshire’s towns (20%) and England’s towns (31%) alike. Income per household averages £59K a year, before tax.
6%walk, cycle or ride
How commuters got to work · March 2021
Driving92%
On foot4%
Bus1%
Bicycle1%
28%
of commuters travel under 5 km · England 45%
36%
worked mainly from home in March 2021
£59K
mean household income, before tax
1.2%
of 16 to 64s claim unemployment benefits (2026)
D−
Walkability: more walkable than 3% of UK towns
ONS Census 2021, method of travel and distance to work · ONS small-area income · DWP claimant count · OGL
SchoolsA+
Results at Thurlby’s schools beat 96% of towns in England
The one school in town appears below. At the 5 primary schools within 3 km, 69% of pupils reach the expected standard in reading, writing and maths (three-year average). GCSE results at the one secondary school within 3 km: 88% of pupils get a strong pass (grade 5+) in English and maths, and the Attainment 8 average is 67.2.
A+School Grade
| School | Level | Pupils | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thurlby Community Primary AcademyLargest primary schoolPrimary | Primary | 213 | B |
Department for Education · GIAS, Key Stage 2 and GCSE resultsThe Schools page →
Safety
Per resident, Thurlby sees less crime than nine in ten UK towns
Violence and sexual offences made up 56% of the total. Over the year to August 2026, 45 offences were reported in Thurlby, along with 11 incidents of anti-social behaviour. Also worth knowing: for its size, Thurlby records less crime per resident than 79% of the 1,541 UK towns of 1,000 to 2,500 people. Anti-social behaviour, shown but not graded, came to 4.5 reports per 1,000, below both Lincolnshire’s towns (9.7) and England’s towns (7.8).
12.3violent and sexual offences per 1,000 a yearASafety Grade
Compared with UK towns its sizeLess crime per resident than 79% 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 & sexual25
Vehicle crime5
Damage & arson4
Other theft4
Burglary3
Public order1
Drugs1
Bicycle theft1
Anti-social11
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.
12.3
violent and sexual offences per 1,000 residents a year, averaged Sep 2023 to Aug 2026
4.7
burglary, vehicle crime and damage per 1,000 a year, averaged Sep 2023 to Aug 2026
4.5
anti-social behaviour reports per 1,000 (not graded)
45
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
Just 4.3% of people in Thurlby say their health is bad or very bad, fewer than in Lincolnshire’s towns and England’s towns
Life expectancy here is 86 for women and 82.2 for men (2019–23). There is no GP practice in Thurlby: the nearest is 2 miles off. A disability affects 18% of people here.
82%good or very good healthAHealth Grade
General health, self-reported
Good or very good 82%Fair 13%Bad or very bad 4%
| Census 2021 | Thurlby | Lincolnshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Good or very good health | 82% | 79% | 82% |
| Bad or very bad health | 4.3% | 5.9% | 5.2% |
| Disabled (Equality Act) | 18% | 20% | 17% |
82.2
life expectancy at birth, men (2019–23)
86
life expectancy at birth, women
ONS Census 2021, general health and disability · OHID Fingertips, life expectancy 2019–23 · OGL · Because the census answers ignore age, a younger population lifts them; that is why the Health Grade is built on age-adjusted measures like life expectancy and early deaths.
HousingCost of living grade B+
More households own their home in Thurlby than in Lincolnshire’s towns or across England’s towns: 81%
11% rent privately, below Lincolnshire’s towns (20%) and England’s towns (21%) alike. Social housing holds 8% of households. Private rents average £845 a month across the South Kesteven council area.
£363Kmedian sale
Median sale price · Sep 2023 to Aug 2026
Thurlby£363K
Typical UK town£277K
| By type | Median | Sales |
|---|---|---|
| Detached | £420,000 | 59 |
| Semi-detached | £200,500 | 20 |
| Terraced | £186,250 | 6 |
81%
of households own their home · England 61%
11%
rent privately · England 21%
£845
average private rent a month, South Kesteven council area
£2,234
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
Thurlby’s heritage list runs to 13 buildings, 1 of them Grade I
The heritage lists give each building’s grade but not its age, so we don’t say which is oldest.
Thurlby’s listed buildings include the Church of St Firmin, Grade I. The pre-1919 share of homes is 10%. Scaled to its population, that is 61 listed buildings for every 10,000 people here.
13listed buildingsC+History Grade
Listed buildings by grade · Historic England
Grade I1
Grade II*0
Grade II12
Among them · Grade I
- Church of St Firmin Grade I
0
scheduled monuments
0
registered parks and gardens
10%
of homes built before 1919 · typical UK town 15%
61
listed buildings per 10,000 residents · typical UK town 24
Historic England list, October 2026 · Valuation Office Agency, homes by build period · OGL
Who lives here
An older town: 27% of people in Thurlby are 65 or over, more than in Lincolnshire’s towns or England’s towns
Children under 15 make up 15%, below Lincolnshire’s towns (16%) and England’s towns (18%) alike. The share aged 15 to 24 is 9.5%. Residents of Thurlby have a median age of 50.6. Graduates make up 35% of adults.
50.6median age
ThurlbyLincolnshireEngland
Ages · share of residents
27%
Qualifications · residents 16 and older
No qualifications14%
Apprenticeship6%
A levels or similar17%
Degree level35%
Women and men · all residents
50% women, 50% men
About an even split. Across England, 51% of residents are women.
| Thurlby | Lincolnshire | England | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 15 | 15% | 16% | 18% |
| 15–24 | 9.5% | 11% | 12% |
| 25–44 | 18% | 23% | 27% |
| 45–64 | 30% | 27% | 25% |
| 65+ | 27% | 22% | 18% |
| No qualifications | 14% | 21% | 18% |
| Apprenticeship | 6.1% | 6.7% | 5.3% |
| A levels or similar | 17% | 18% | 17% |
| Degree level | 35% | 25% | 34% |
ONS Census 2021 · Lincolnshire and England: all residents of their built-up areas · OGL
Nearby attractions
All attractions →Bourne Castle and 5 more in and around Thurlby
Museums, castles, gardens and days out in and near Thurlby. Best known first.
CastleBourne Castle2.3 km outside town, to the north
Abbey or prioryBourne Abbey2.2 km outside town, to the northHistoric houseHistoric houseRed Hall2.1 km outside town, to the northMuseumMuseumBaldocks Mill2.2 km outside town, to the northMuseumMuseumDelaine Bus Museum2.2 km outside town, to the northTheme parkTheme parkEscape 2 Play1.9 km outside town, to the northeastPlaces: © OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata
Photos: each place’s Wikidata image, from Wikimedia Commons under the licence below (our copy, resized).
Photo credits (2)
- Bourne Castle: Bob Harvey, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Bourne Abbey: Alex Cameron, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Thurlby
14pages on Thurlby
The big questions
SafetyA12.3 violent and sexual offences per 1,000 residents a year, averaged Sep 2023 to Aug 2026Cost of livingB+Median home £363K · rent £845 a monthHousing36 sold in 12 months · busiest street NorthorpeSchoolsA+1 state schoolHealthALife expectancy 82.2 (men), 86 (women)Work & commuteA−52% of working residents work in the townFlood & hazardsC+0.4% of homes at high or medium flood risk
Out and about
Thurlby’s neighbours
The nearest built-up areas, from ONS’s 2022 boundaries. See them on the map →
BourneBastonLangtoftMortonMarket DeepingRyhallDeeping St JamesThurlby
How the neighbours grade
| Town | People | Miles | Overall | Cost | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thurlby | 2,139 | — | — | B+ | A | A |
| Bourne | 17,495 | 2 | A | A | B− | B− |
| Baston | 1,576 | 2.1 | — | B | A+ | A |
| Langtoft | 2,010 | 3.3 | — | B | A+ | A |
| Morton | 2,180 | 4.4 | — | A | B+ | B− |
| Market Deeping | 6,533 | 4.8 | B | A− | B− | B− |
| Ryhall | 1,444 | 5.5 | — | A | A | A |
| Deeping St James | 7,255 | 5.7 | A | A | A− | A− |
Baston, Langtoft, Morton and Ryhall have fewer than 2,500 residents, so they get subject grades but no overall grade. People: Census 2021. Miles: centre to centre.
Questions about Thurlby
Are schools in Thurlby good?
GCSE results beat almost all towns in England, and primary results beat 86% (Department for Education, Attainment 8 and Key Stage 2). One state school is inside the town; places are handled by Lincolnshire council.
How many listed buildings are there in Thurlby?
That is 2.5 times the typical UK town for its size. Its Grade I building is Church of St Firmin.
Is Thurlby expensive to live in?
Homes cost more than in most UK towns: the median sale over three years was £362,500, against £277,000 in the typical UK town. By type: terraced houses £186,250, semi-detached houses £200,500 and detached houses £420,000.
About Thurlby
Village in Lincolnshire, England
Thurlby is a built-up area of 2,139 people, in the South Kesteven 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
- 2,139 (Census 2021)
- Council
- South Kesteven
- County
- Lincolnshire
- Region
- East Midlands
- Area
- 0.4 sq mi (0.9 km²)
- ONS code
- E63002362
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.