Margate Area Guide

Coastal Town

Revitalised Kent seaside town with Turner Contemporary gallery, old town charm, and vintage scene. This guide covers everything you need to know about living in Margate — from property prices and crime statistics to school ratings and transport links. All data comes from official UK government sources and is updated regularly.

£244k

Median property price ↑ 4.4%

80

Crimes per 1,000 residents

17

Schools (9 Good/Outstanding)

Moderate

Transport rating · Margate

About Margate

Overview

Revitalised Kent seaside town with Turner Contemporary gallery, old town charm, and vintage scene. Located in South East, Margate has a population of approximately 64,444 residents, making it a smaller coastal town by UK standards. The primary postcode area is CT9.

Margate sits within South East and is well connected to neighbouring areas. The local property market is at the entry-level end of the spectrum, with a median price of £244k that is 44% below the South East average of £438k. The area has a moderate crime rate compared to similar areas.

Key facts about Margate

Nearest station: Margate
Seafront location
Region: South East
Population: ~64,444
Median property price: £244k
Crime rate: 80 per 1,000
Ofsted: 53% schools Good/Outstanding

Property prices in Margate (2026)

Based on HM Land Registry Price Paid data, updated regularly.

£244k

Median price

↑ 4.4%

Year-on-year change

Property market analysis

The median property price in Margate currently stands at £244k, placing it in the entry-level segment of the South East market. This is 44% below the South East average of £438k. Over the past twelve months, prices in Margate have been on an upward trend, with a year-on-year change of +4.4%.

This rate of growth outpaces many comparable areas in South East and suggests continued demand from buyers. Factors driving price appreciation may include transport improvements, new developments, or an influx of buyers priced out of more expensive neighbouring areas.

For context, the most affordable areas in South East have median prices around £237k, while the most expensive areas reach £948k. Margate sits towards the more affordable end of this range.

What types of property are available? At this price level, buyers can access a range of property types including flats, terraced houses, and some semi-detached homes. This makes the area attractive to both first-time buyers and young families.

Crime and safety in Margate

Crime data sourced from Police.uk, which records all crimes reported to police forces across England and Wales.

Medium crime 79.7 crimes per 1,000 residents

Crime rate analysis

Margate has a moderate crime rate of 79.7 offences per 1,000 residents per year. This is above the national average of 55 per 1,000. This level is typical for well-populated urban areas and should be considered in the context of the area's size and character.

Understanding crime statistics: Raw crime numbers can be misleading without context. Areas with high footfall (shopping centres, transport hubs, nightlife) naturally record more incidents. The crimes-per-1,000-residents metric normalises for population size but does not account for visitors. When assessing safety, consider the types of crime most relevant to you — residential burglary and vehicle crime are more directly relevant to homeowners than shoplifting or public order offences.

For a full breakdown by crime category, monthly trends, and year-on-year comparison, sign up for Check Local's detailed safety report for Margate. Our AI-generated analysis puts the numbers in plain English so you can make an informed decision.

Schools in Margate

School data from the Department for Education (DfE) and Ofsted.

17

Total schools

53%

Good or Outstanding

Schools analysis

Margate has 17 schools in the local area, of which 9 (53%) have been rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. This represents a reasonable level of school quality. Parents considering the area should research individual schools thoroughly. Ofsted ratings provide a useful starting point, but visiting schools and speaking to other parents is equally important.

Primary and secondary schools: The area serves families with children of all ages, with both primary and secondary schools available locally. There is a reasonable selection of schools available, giving families some degree of choice.

Catchment areas and admissions: Most schools in Margate use distance-based admissions criteria, meaning the closer you live to a school, the more likely your child is to gain a place. Popular schools can have very tight catchment areas. Check Local's detailed schools report shows the distance from any address to every nearby school, with full Ofsted ratings and Key Stage results.

Transport and commuting in Margate

Moderate transport Nearest station: Margate

Transport links analysis

Margate has moderate transport links. While services are available, a car may be useful for some journeys, particularly during off-peak hours. The nearest railway station is Margate, providing regular services to surrounding areas. Transport connectivity data is sourced from NaPTAN, the official UK database of public transport access points.

Commuters from Margate should factor in travel times carefully. Rail services may be less frequent than in larger centres, and a car is advisable for maximum flexibility.

Impact on property values: Transport links are one of the strongest predictors of property prices. Areas within walking distance of a station typically command a premium of 10-15% over areas further away. Planned transport improvements could be a catalyst for future price growth in Margate.

Living in Margate — lifestyle and amenities

Margate is a smaller coastal town in South East with a population of around 64,444. The area has a good range of local amenities including shops, restaurants, and leisure facilities.

Who lives in Margate? The affordable property prices make this area popular with first-time buyers, young families, and those looking for better value. It often attracts buyers priced out of more expensive neighbouring areas.

Green spaces and recreation: The area offers access to parks, playing fields, and countryside walks, providing a balance between urban convenience and outdoor recreation.

Shopping and dining: Margate has a decent high street with everyday essentials, plus an increasing number of independent shops and restaurants.

Frequently asked questions about Margate

Is Margate a good place to live?

Margate is a smaller coastal town in South East with a population of approximately 64,444. It has moderate transport links, 17 schools (53% rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted), and a median property price of £244k. The crime rate of 80 per 1,000 residents is moderate. Whether it suits you depends on your priorities — use Check Local to compare it with similar areas.

What are property prices like in Margate?

The median property price in Margate is £244k, which is 44% below the South East average of £438k. Prices have been on an upward trend over the past year, with a year-on-year change of +4.4%. This is based on HM Land Registry Price Paid data. Check Local's full report includes breakdowns by property type, historical trends, and new build analysis.

How safe is Margate?

Margate records approximately 80 crimes per 1,000 residents annually, which is classified as moderate and is above the national average of 55 per 1,000. Crime data is sourced from Police.uk and covers all reported offences. The most common categories in urban areas typically include anti-social behaviour, violence, and shoplifting. Check Local provides a full breakdown by crime category with monthly trends.

What schools are in Margate?

There are 17 schools in and around Margate, of which 9 (53%) are rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. This is considered a reasonable performance. School data is sourced from the Department for Education (DfE) and Ofsted. Check Local provides detailed information including individual school ratings, Key Stage results, and proximity to your chosen address.

What is the transport like in Margate?

Margate has moderate transport links. The nearest station is Margate. Transport data is sourced from NaPTAN (the National Public Transport Access Nodes database). Check Local's full transport lens includes all nearby stations, bus stops, and service frequency data.

Where does this data come from?

All data in this Margate area guide is sourced from verified official UK government and public sector data providers. We combine property transaction records, crime statistics, school inspection data, transport network data, and census information to build a complete picture of every area.

We do not scrape, estimate, or fabricate any figures. Check Local processes and combines these official datasets to produce a unified area intelligence report. Our AI then generates plain-English narratives to help you understand what the numbers actually mean for your day-to-day life.