My Area UK

Braintree vs Chelmsford

A side-by-side comparison of the Braintree and Chelmsfordlocal authority areas — population, density, deprivation and age profile, from ONS Census 2021 and each nation’s Indices of Deprivation.

In short: Chelmsford is the more populous; council tax is lower in Braintree; Braintree has the higher share of Good/Outstanding schools.

BraintreeChelmsford
Population155,270181,523
Density254/km²536/km²
Deprivation0% in most-deprived 10%0% in most-deprived 10%
Council tax (Band D)£2,280£2,300
Schools Good/Outstanding91%87%
Aged under 1618%19%
Aged 16–6461%62%
Aged 65+20%19%