South East Purbeck
vs West Purbeck
West Purbeck has the younger population: 16% of residents are aged 15–29, against 12% in South East Purbeck. Homes in South East Purbeck sold for a median of £537,500, 57% above West Purbeck. South East Purbeck has more green space nearby (57% within 500 m, against 42%).
People
South East Purbeck has 4,132 residents in 1,837 households; West Purbeck has 9,852 in 4,016. South East Purbeck has the higher share of residents aged 65 and over: 34%, 11.4 percentage points more than West Purbeck (Dorset: 30%). South East Purbeck has the higher share of people living alone: 28%, 1.7 percentage points more than West Purbeck (Dorset: 31%).
Homes and prices
The most common type of home is detached houses in South East Purbeck (56%) and semi-detached houses in West Purbeck (35%). South East Purbeck has the higher share of owner-occupied homes: 67%, 7.4 percentage points more than West Purbeck (Dorset: 70%). West Purbeck has the higher share of private renting: 23%, 2.8 percentage points more than South East Purbeck (Dorset: 16%). Over two years, homes sold for a median of £537,500 in South East Purbeck and £341,500 in West Purbeck, against £345,000 across Dorset.
Surroundings
South East Purbeck has the higher share of land within 500 m that is green space: 57%, 15.2 percentage points more than West Purbeck (Dorset: 26%). A typical postcode has 8 everyday shops and services within a 15-minute walk in South East Purbeck, and 14 in West Purbeck. The typical postcode is 1,953 m from the nearest school in South East Purbeck and 971 m in West Purbeck. The typical postcode is 1,853 m from the nearest tram stop or railway station in South East Purbeck and 3,962 m in West Purbeck. Gigabit-capable broadband reaches 31% of premises in South East Purbeck and 35% in West Purbeck.
Safety
Over 12 months, police recorded 29 crimes and incidents per 1,000 residents in South East Purbeck and 56 in West Purbeck, against 56 across Dorset. 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.
South East Purbeck is one of 52 wards in Dorset, home to 4,132 people in 1,837 households (Census 2021). Homes sold for a median of £537,500 over the past two years, 56% above the Dorset median. On average 57% of the land within 500 metres of a home postcode is green space — 116% above the Dorset average.
West Purbeck is one of 52 wards in Dorset, home to 9,852 people in 4,016 households (Census 2021). Homes sold for a median of £341,500 over the past two years, in line with the Dorset median. On average 42% of the land within 500 metres of a home postcode is green space — 58% above the Dorset average.
More comparisons.
South East Purbeck and West Purbeck next to other wards of Dorset.