Stafford

Stafford
Stafford town centre
Stafford
Location within Staffordshire
Population	68,472 (2011 census)
OS grid reference	SJ922232
Unitary authority	Borough of Stafford
Ceremonial county	Staffordshire
Region	West Midlands
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	STAFFORD
Postcode district	ST16 - ST21
Dialling code	01785
Police	Staffordshire
Fire	Staffordshire
Ambulance	West Midlands
UK Parliament	Stafford
List of places UK England Staffordshire 52°48′N 2°07′W / 52.80°N 2.12°W / 52.80; -2.12

Stafford is the county town of the ceremonial county of Staffordshire in England. It is situated around 16 miles (26 km) north of Wolverhampton, 18 miles (29 km) south of Stoke-on-Trent and 24 miles (39 km) north-west of Birmingham.

The town's 2011 population of 68,472 makes it the fifth largest town in Staffordshire by population, behind Stoke-on-Trent, Tamworth, Newcastle-under-Lyme and Burton-upon-Trent.

The name Stafford means "ford" by a "staithe" (a landing place).