Widnes on the map

Widnes built-up area

Built-up area21.9 km² (8.5 sq mi)

Location in CheshireWidnes sits where the marker shows within the county.

63,635
Population
26,093
Households
5 / 10
Deprivation decile
Around average
12
Schools nearby
£43,637
Avg. household income
1,811
Businesses
1,739
People per km²
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About Widnes

Widnes is a town located in Cheshire, England, within the WA8 postcode area. It lies on the banks of the River Mersey and is part of the metropolitan borough of Halton. The town has a mix of residential and industrial areas, reflecting its historical significance in the chemical and manufacturing industries. Widnes is well-connected by road and rail, making it accessible for visitors and residents alike.

The town features several parks and recreational areas, providing opportunities for outdoor activities. Widnes also has a variety of shops, restaurants, and local amenities to cater to the needs of its community. Notable landmarks include the iconic Silver Jubilee Bridge, which links Widnes to the town of Runcorn, and the Catalyst Science Discovery Centre, which offers interactive exhibits related to science and technology.

School Ratings in Widnes

There are 143 schools in and around Widnes. St Bede's Catholic Infant School, Ashley High School, Riverside College Halton and Wade Deacon High School are each rated Outstanding by Ofsted. A further 23 schools hold a Good rating.

House Prices in Widnes

The average property price is £214K, with terraced houses making up the majority of the housing stock at around £122K.

Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour in Widnes

Recorded crime levels are broadly in line with the national average. Anti-social behaviour is prevalent across Widnes, with 82 recorded incidents in April 2026.

Deprivation and Employment in Widnes

Widnes sits around the middle of the national deprivation scale, according to the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation. Employment levels are broadly typical for the area, sitting close to the national average. Household incomes are broadly in line with the national average.

Healthcare in Widnes

There are 24 GP surgeries within three miles of Widnes, the nearest being Warrington/halton Eit (0.2 miles away).

Local Data for Widnes

Dig deeper into the area around Widnes with our free postcode tools.

Food Hygiene Ratings Hygiene scores for cafes, takeaways and shops Nearest GP Surgery Find the GP surgeries closest to a postcode Compare Areas Put two areas head to head House Prices Recent sale prices and trends

Property Prices 7,765 sales

Average Price £214K
£375 , £32M
Detached £324K 1,651
Semi £188K 2,471
Terraced £122K 2,706
Flat £94K 534

Schools & Education 12 nearby View all schools

93 Primary
14 Secondary
36 Other
Outstanding 6
Good 23

Ofsted ratings for schools in the WA8 postcode area.

St Gerard's Catholic Primary and Nursery School Primary Good 0.2 miles Poppy Field School Not applicable Outstanding 0.2 miles Kingsway Primary Academy School Primary Good 0.2 miles Riverside College Halton 16 plus Outstanding 0.2 miles Kingsway Children's Centre 0.2 miles St Bede's Catholic Junior School Primary Good 0.5 miles St Bede's Catholic Infant School Primary Outstanding 0.5 miles Fairfield Primary School Primary Good 0.7 miles Saints Peter and Paul Catholic High School Secondary Good 0.8 miles Warrington Road Children's Centre Good 0.8 miles Aspiring Foundations Federated Nursery Schools - Warrington Road Nursery School Nursery 0.8 miles The Raise Academy Not applicable 0.8 miles

Household Income in Widnes ONS 2023

The average total household income in Widnes is approximately £43,637 a year before tax, 21% below the national average of £55,302. After tax and benefits, the average disposable (net) household income is around £33,280. These are modelled estimates from the Office for National Statistics for the financial year ending 2023.

Widnes £43,637
England & Wales avg. £55,302

Net (after tax) household income averages £33,280.

Businesses in Widnes ONS 2025

There are approximately 1,811 active businesses based in Widnes, around 28 for every 1,000 residents. The local economy is dominated by small firms: about 87% are micro-businesses employing fewer than 10 people, while 26 are larger employers with 50 or more staff. Figures are from the Office for National Statistics UK Business Counts.

1,811 Total businesses
28 Per 1,000 residents
Micro, 0-9 87%
Small, 10-49 10%
Medium, 50-249 1%
Large, 250+ 2%

Deprivation and Employment in Widnes IMD 2025

Widnes sits around the national average for deprivation according to the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation. Employment and income levels are broadly typical, reflecting a mixed local economy. The area offers a balance of residential and commercial activity common to most parts of England.

Overall Deprivation
5/10
Income
5/10
Employment
4/10
Education
5/10
Health
3/10
Housing
6/10
Living Environment
6/10
Children 0-15 19%
Working age 62%
Older 65+ 19%
12,148 Children (0-15) 19%
39,699 Working Age 62%
11,797 Older (65+) 19%
Average Child Poverty (IDACI) 36.3% of children in income-deprived families
Average Older Person Poverty (IDAOPI) 20.7% of over-60s in income-deprived households
Data from English Indices of Deprivation 2025 · Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

Crime in Widnes 487 crimes · April 2026

Average Crime Area

Reported crime levels in Widnes sit broadly in line with national averages for a town of this size. Violence & sexual offences accounts for the largest share of recorded offences. The profile is typical of a well-populated area with a mix of residential and commercial activity.

Violence & Sexual Offences 190
Anti-Social Behaviour 82
Public Order 59
Criminal Damage & Arson 43
Shoplifting 24
Drugs 21
Other Theft 18
Other Crime 15
Vehicle Crime 14
Burglary 7
Robbery 6
Weapons 4
Bicycle Theft 3
Theft from Person 1
Local Policing
Cheshire Appleton - Widnes Visit force website →
Data from data.police.uk · Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0
Crime figures depend on reporting by individual police forces and may not reflect the full picture in all areas.

Nearest Train Stations 6 stations

Widnes Train Station 1 miles
Hough Green Train Station 1.9 miles
Sankey For Penketh Train Station 3.8 miles
Runcorn East Train Station 3.9 miles
Rainhill Train Station 3.9 miles
Halewood Train Station 4.1 miles

Location

Nearby Towns & Villages 12 found

Simm's Cross 0 yards Kingsway 0 yards Lugsdale 0.6 miles Moss Bank 0.6 miles Lower House 0.6 miles Appleton 0.6 miles Crow Wood 0.9 miles Halton View 0.9 miles West Bank 1.2 miles Farnworth 1.2 miles Ball o' Ditton 1.4 miles Barrow's Green 1.4 miles

Local Government

District Halton
Ward Halton View
Constituency Halton
Parish Halton, unparished area
Region North West

Home Ownership in Widnes

Of the 27,441 households in and around Widnes, 64% are owned, 21% are socially rented and 15% are privately rented. Home ownership here is in line with the England and Wales average of 63%.

Owned 64% Social rented 21% Private rented 15%

Tenure from the 2021 Census (ONS), for the postcode districts covering Widnes.

Frequently Asked Questions about Widnes

What is the population of Widnes?
Widnes has a population of approximately 63,635 residents, based on the latest census figures for the surrounding postcode area.
What is the average house price in Widnes?
The average property in and around Widnes sold for about £213,578, based on HM Land Registry Price Paid records. That is around 39% below the England and Wales average of £349,091.
Is Widnes a deprived area?
Widnes sits around the national average for deprivation, with an Index of Multiple Deprivation decile of 5 out of 10, where 1 is the most deprived and 10 the least deprived.
What postcodes cover Widnes?
Widnes is covered by the WA8, WA88 postcode districts.
How many schools are there in Widnes?
There are 12 schools within easy reach of Widnes, spanning primary, secondary and other phases.
Where is the nearest train station to Widnes?
The nearest railway station to Widnes is Widnes Train Station, about 1 miles away.

Streets in Widnes 30 shown View all streets

Abbey Close 1 Abbey Road 2 Acacia Avenue 1 Addingham Avenue 2 Addison Square 1 Adelaide Court 1 Adelphi Grove 1 Afton 1 Albert Road 8 Albert Square 1 Alder Avenue 2 Alder Lane 3 Alderwood Court 1 Alexander Drive 2 Alexandra Street 1 Alforde Street 4 Alfred Close 1 Alfred Street 1 Allerton Road 1 Alt 1 Alverton Close 1 Amelia Close 1 Andrew Close 1 Ansdell Road 2 Anson Close 2 Appleby Close 2 Appleton Road 1 Appleton Village 4 Arden 2 Arkenstone Close 1

Postcodes in Widnes 50 shown View all postcodes

WA8 0AA WA8 0AB WA8 0AD WA8 0AE WA8 0AG WA8 0AH WA8 0AJ WA8 0AL WA8 0AN WA8 0AP WA8 0AQ WA8 0AS WA8 0AT WA8 0AU WA8 0AW WA8 0AX WA8 0AY WA8 0AZ WA8 0BA WA8 0BB WA8 0BD WA8 0BE WA8 0BF WA8 0BG WA8 0BH WA8 0BJ WA8 0BL WA8 0BN WA8 0BP WA8 0BQ WA8 0BS WA8 0BT WA8 0BU WA8 0BW WA8 0BX WA8 0BY WA8 0DB WA8 0DE WA8 0DF WA8 0DG WA8 0DN WA8 0DP WA8 0DQ WA8 0DS WA8 0DT WA8 0DZ WA8 0EA WA8 0EB WA8 0ED WA8 0EE