Kenley
vs Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown
Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown has the younger population: 17% of residents are aged 15–29, against 15% in Kenley. Homes in Kenley sold for a median of £515,000, 5% above Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown. Kenley has more green space nearby (29% within 500 m, against 14%).
People
Kenley has 10,676 residents in 4,023 households; Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown has 9,493 in 3,679. Kenley has the higher share of residents aged 65 and over: 19%, 3.3 percentage points more than Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown (Croydon: 14%). Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown has the higher share of people living alone: 24%, 2.2 percentage points more than Kenley (Croydon: 28%).
Homes and prices
The most common type of home is detached houses in Kenley (40%) and semi-detached houses in Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown (31%). Kenley has the higher share of owner-occupied homes: 77%, 6.9 percentage points more than Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown (Croydon: 55%). Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown has the higher share of private renting: 19%, 7.9 percentage points more than Kenley (Croydon: 26%). Over two years, homes sold for a median of £515,000 in Kenley and £492,500 in Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown, against £425,000 across Croydon.
Surroundings
Kenley has the higher share of land within 500 m that is green space: 29%, 15.2 percentage points more than Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown (Croydon: 14%). A typical postcode has 38 everyday shops and services within a 15-minute walk in Kenley, and 101 in Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown. The typical postcode is 430 m from the nearest school in Kenley and 516 m in Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown. The typical postcode is 734 m from the nearest tram stop or railway station in Kenley and 487 m in Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown. Gigabit-capable broadband reaches 68% of premises in Kenley and 92% in Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown.
Safety
Over 12 months, police recorded 47 crimes and incidents per 1,000 residents in Kenley and 50 in Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown, against 108 across Croydon. Police.uk records crimes by approximate location, not by where victims or offenders live. Busy streets, shops, stations and nightlife record more. Figures are counts, not a measure of personal risk.
Sources: Census 2021 (ONS) · HM Land Registry Price Paid Data · official school registers · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Environment Agency · data.police.uk, 12 months to Aug 2026 · Ofcom Connected Nations
In brief.
Each ward in a few lines, from its own page.
Kenley is one of 28 wards in Croydon, home to 10,676 people in 4,023 households (Census 2021). Homes sold for a median of £515,000 over the past two years, 21% above the Croydon median. On average 29% of the land within 500 metres of a home postcode is green space — 104% above the Croydon average.
Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown is one of 28 wards in Croydon, home to 9,493 people in 3,679 households (Census 2021). Homes sold for a median of £492,500 over the past two years, 16% above the Croydon median. On average 14% of the land within 500 metres of a home postcode is green space — in line with the Croydon average.
More comparisons.
Kenley and Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown next to other wards of Croydon.