Is Derby Safe, Pros and cons of living in Derby
Derby, a city with a rich industrial heritage and a strategic location in England’s East Midlands, presents a multifaceted profile for potential residents. It offers a blend of historical significance and modern development, making it an appealing place to consider for a new home. Understanding the various facets of life in Derby, from its safety and cost of living to its employment opportunities and educational landscape, is crucial for anyone contemplating a move.
The city’s identity is deeply intertwined with its past as a hub for manufacturing and innovation, particularly in the aerospace and automotive sectors. This legacy continues to shape its economy and community, offering a unique environment for those seeking to establish roots. Examining the current data provides a clearer picture of what life in Derby entails today.
Is it Safe to Live in Derby?
Derby’s overall crime rate is reported to be 139.2 crimes per 1,000 people, which is 139% of the national average (Plumplot). Violent crimes constitute a significant portion of these offenses, making up 40.4% of all crimes committed in the area, with a violent crime rate at 159% of the national rate (Plumplot). Robbery has seen a notable increase over the past year (Plumplot).
Furthermore, drug-related crimes are also a concern, with Derby’s drug crime rate standing at 187% of the national average, placing it high among cities in England and Wales for this category (Plumplot). These statistics indicate that while Derby offers many attractions, a heightened awareness of personal safety is advisable.
Crime Statistics Breakdown
Violence and sexual offenses are the most common crimes in Derby, with 14,409 offenses recorded in a recent period (CrimeRate). Anti-social behavior accounts for 13% of crimes, followed by public order offenses at 9% (ADT). Areas like Arboretum report the highest average weekly crimes, with Arboretum also experiencing a significant number of weekly burglaries (ADT).
Other areas such as Abbey and Alvaston also show notable crime figures, with Sinfin and Normanton following closely behind in terms of weekly crime incidents (ADT). Understanding these localized crime patterns can be beneficial for residents.
Cost of Living in Derby
Derby is generally considered an affordable city, especially when compared to many other urban centers in the United Kingdom (Amber). The average cost of living for students, for instance, ranges between £850 to £1,010 per month, excluding tuition fees (Amber). This affordability extends to various aspects of daily life.
Accommodation costs are a significant factor, typically accounting for 45–55% of a monthly budget (Amber). Food and transportation are also key expenses, with groceries averaging around £250 per month and local transport costing about £100 per month (Amber). These figures can vary based on individual lifestyles and choices.
Housing Costs
The average house price in Derby was £202,000 as of February 2026, a figure that remained similar to the previous year (ONS). Private rents have seen an annual increase, with the average rent reaching £847 in March 2026 (ONS). For first-time buyers, the average price paid was £181,000 in February 2026 (ONS).
Different property types command different prices, with detached properties averaging £310,000 and semi-detached properties around £205,000 in February 2026 (ONS). Terraced properties were priced at £162,000, while flats and maisonettes averaged £105,000 (ONS).
Average Salaries and Income
The average salary in Derby is reported to be around £42,173 per year, with an hourly rate of approximately £20 (ERI SalaryExpert). This is slightly below the UK average salary of £48.5k in 2025 (Plumplot). The median salary in Derby is £41,900 (Plumplot).
Income levels can vary, with average household incomes differing across various areas within Derby (Plumplot). For instance, the median household income in Derby, Connecticut, was reported as $79,500 in 2024 (Point2Homes).
Job Market and Major Employers
Derby’s economy is significantly influenced by its major employers, particularly in the manufacturing and engineering sectors. Rolls-Royce is a prominent employer, with over 11,000 people working for them in Derby (Derby City Council). Derby City Council itself also employs around 11,000 people, and the Derby NHS Trust employs approximately 7,000 (Derby City Council).
Other significant employers include Bombardier Transportation, which employs around 3,000 people, and the University of Derby, which provides employment for about 2,600 individuals (Derby City Council). These anchor businesses play a crucial role in the city’s employment landscape.
Employment and Unemployment
The employment rate in Derby for those aged 16 to 64 was 79.8% in the year ending December 2023 (ONS). The unemployment rate for the same period was 4.9%, which represented an increase compared to the previous year (ONS). In Derby, Connecticut, the employment rate is currently 91.44%, with an unemployment rate of 5.6% (Point2Homes, BestNeighborhood.org).
The claimant count, representing those claiming unemployment-related benefits, was 5.4% in March 2024 (ONS). Economic inactivity in Derby has decreased, standing at 17.2% for those aged 16 to 64 in the year ending December 2023 (ONS).
Climate in Derby
Derby experiences an oceanic climate, characterized by cold, rainy winters and mild, relatively rainy summers (meteoblue). The city’s central England location influences its weather patterns, with frequent cloud cover and high humidity, especially during winter (meteoblue).
Average temperatures in January, the coldest month, hover around 4.1°C (40.1°F), while July, the warmest month, sees average temperatures of about 17°C (62.4°F) (meteoblue). Annual precipitation is moderate, totaling approximately 620 millimeters (24.4 inches) per year (meteoblue).
Temperature and Rainfall
Summer temperatures are generally mild to cool, with July’s average high temperature around 20°C (68°F) and a low of 13°C (55°F) (meteoblue). Winter temperatures can drop, with average lows in January around 1°C (34°F) (meteoblue). Rainfall is distributed fairly evenly throughout the year, with an average of 779 mm annually (Weather and Climate).
June and October are typically the wettest months, while February is often the driest (meteoblue). The city receives around 1455 sunshine hours per year on average (meteoblue).
Education in Derby
Derby’s educational landscape includes a range of public and private institutions catering to various age groups. In Derby, Kansas, public schools have an average ranking of 5 out of 10, placing them in the bottom 50% of Kansas public schools (Niche). Math proficiency scores are around 29%, with reading proficiency at 31% (Niche).
Derby High School in Kansas has a student-teacher ratio of 20 to 1, with 18% of students proficient in math and 33% in reading (Niche). In Derby, Connecticut, the school district has a student-teacher ratio of 11 to 1, with 21% math proficiency and 32% reading proficiency (Niche).
School Ratings and Performance
The top-ranked public schools in Derby, Kansas, include Park Hill Elementary School, Stone Creek Elementary School, and Tanglewood Elementary School (Niche). However, the overall testing rank for Derby, KS public schools is based on combined proficiency scores and is generally below state averages (Niche).
In Derby, Connecticut, the school district’s overall Niche grade is C+, with elementary schools like Bradley School showing stronger performance than others in the district (Niche). Challenges such as high chronic absenteeism rates and below-average test scores are noted in the Derby School District in Connecticut (SchoolDigger.com).
Demographics of Derby
Derby, UK, has an estimated population of 270,631 as of 2026, showing a consistent growth trend (Derby City Council, Plumplot). The demographic makeup is predominantly White British, accounting for 87.1% of the population in the Derby postcode area, followed by Asian at 7.5% (Plumplot).
In Derby, Connecticut, the population was 12,487 in 2024, with a median age of 46.4 years (Data Commons). The largest racial/ethnic groups are White (57.6%), Hispanic (22.4%), and Black (11.3%) (Point2Homes).
Population and Age Distribution
The population of Derby, UK, has seen an increase of 6,201 in the last year, representing a 0.39% annual change (Derby City Council). A significant portion of the population, 174,700 individuals, falls within the 16-64 age bracket (Derby City Council). The median age in Derby, Connecticut, is 46.4 years (Data Commons).
There has been a notable increase in the 20 to 29-year-old demographic in Derby, UK, between recent census periods (Derby City Council). Approximately 14% of residents in Derby, UK, were born outside the United Kingdom (Derby City Council).