Tollgate Pub at Smug Oak in St. Stephen
Full moon over the M25 near Watford in St. Stephen
Station Road, Bricket Wood in St. Stephen
Park Street Lane Bridge, M25 in St. Stephen
Phone mast and Lye Lane bridge over M25 in St. Stephen
London Orbital Motorway near to Bricket Wood in St. Stephen
The Gate public house in St. Stephen
M25 Motorway, View West Towards Junction 25a in St. Stephen
Bricket Wood railway station in St. Stephen
Lye Lane Bridge, M25 in St. Stephen
The Gate pub, Smug Oak in St. Stephen
Looking west along the M25 from Lye Lane Bridge in St. Stephen
34 photos from this area

Area Information

Living in St. Stephen offers a quiet existence within a civil parish that spans 23.6 square kilometres. The community serves approximately 5,952 residents, creating a population density of 252 people per square kilometre. This figure suggests a settled, residential environment rather than a busy commercial hub. The area is located in Hertfordshire, close to the market town of St Albans, which shapes daily life for those calling this parish home. History runs deep here; a Church of St Stephen was founded around the year 950 by Ulsinus, the sixth Abbot of St Albans. This medieval foundation stands as a testament to the parish's long-standing roots. By the 18th century, the community had established poor relief infrastructure, including a brick-built workhouse erected in 1725. The parish also formerly held tenements at Smallford and Park Street before selling them in 1836 to fund charitable causes like coal clubs. Today, the modern civil parish lacks the precise geographic boundaries that defined its medieval origins, yet the historic character remains visible. You will find high-speed connections and a settled neighbourly atmosphere. The area functions as a traditional village setting where past and present coexist without dramatic conflict.

Area Type
Parish
Area Size
23.6 km²
Population
5952
Population Density
252 people/km²

Demographics

The community in St. Stephen is notably older than the national average. The median age stands at 70 years, which defines the demographic profile of the parish. Most residents fall into the total adult age bracket, indicating a population primarily composed of older adults. This age structure suggests a community where retirement living plays a central role in social life and local services. Home ownership is extremely prevalent, with 79% of households owning their property. This high rate contrasts sharply with private rental markets found in larger cities. You are likely to find established families or individuals who live in homes they have occupied for decades. Household composition reflects this stability, with no significant atypical groups dominating the statistics. The area does not report specific data on predominant ethnic groups or religious affiliations in the current dataset, which often points to a homogenous, long-standing settlement. While comprehensive data on deprivation levels is not explicitly detailed in the provided figures, the high ownership rate and older population typically correlate with stable, asset-rich neighbourhoods. Living here means sharing the space with peers who have likely watched their own children grow up elsewhere and now enjoy the relative peace of this Hertfordshire parish.

Household Size

total
most common

Accommodation Type

total
most common

Tenure

79
majority

Ethnic Group

total
most common

Religion

total
most common

Household Composition

total
most common

Age

70
median
Age: Total
most common

Household Deprivation

N/A
with no deprivation

NS-SEC

44
in Lower managerial occupations

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Planning

Planning Constraints

  • Flood Risk
    Premium
  • Ramsar Wetland Sites
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  • Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
    Premium
  • Protected Nature Reserve
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  • Protected Woodland
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Open Planning map

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical resident age group in St. Stephen?
The community is significantly older than the UK average, with a median age of 70 years. Most of the population falls into the total adult age range, reflecting a settlement established by retirees and older families rather than young professionals or students.
How likely am I to find a house to rent versus buy?
You are very likely to find homes for sale rather than rentals. An impressive 79% of households in the parish own their property. This high ownership rate means the rental stock is minimal, making the purchase of an existing home your most probable route to settling in St. Stephen.
What are the internet speeds like for working from home?
Digital connectivity is outstanding for remote work. The fixed broadband quality score is 94 out of 100, and mobile coverage scores 85 out of 100. These excellent ratings ensure you can handle high-bandwidth tasks without interruption anywhere within the 23.6 square kilometre parish.

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