Brushes on the map
Location in Greater ManchesterBrushes sits where the marker shows within the county.
About Brushes
Brushes is a small settlement located in the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan, within Greater Manchester, England. It lies in the rural north-west of the county, near the border with Lancashire. The area is characterised by open countryside and scattered residential properties, with a mix of older farmhouses and more modern housing developments. The postcode area SK15 covers a wide region, including parts of the surrounding villages and hamlets. While not a large community, Brushes has a quiet, rural atmosphere and is situated close to the River Irwell, which flows through the wider area. The landscape is largely flat, with fields and hedgerows typical of the Pennine foothills. There are no major commercial centres or tourist attractions in Brushes itself, but it offers a peaceful environment for those seeking a quieter lifestyle within easy reach of larger towns like Wigan and Bolton.
School Ratings in Brushes
There are 228 schools in and around Brushes. A further 9 schools hold a Good rating.
House Prices in Brushes
The average property price is £211K, with terraced houses making up the majority of the housing stock at around £154K.
Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour in Brushes
Recorded crime levels are lower than the national average.
Deprivation and Employment in Brushes
Brushes 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 Brushes
There are 32 GP surgeries within three miles of Brushes, the nearest being Millbrook Medical Practice (0.2 miles away).
Local Data for Brushes
Dig deeper into the area around Brushes with our free postcode tools.
Property Prices 3,422 sales
Schools & Education 12 nearby View all schools
Ofsted ratings for schools in the SK15 postcode area.
Household Income in Brushes ONS 2023
The average total household income in Brushes is approximately £45,642 a year before tax, 17% below the national average of £55,302. After tax and benefits, the average disposable (net) household income is around £33,926. These are modelled estimates from the Office for National Statistics for the financial year ending 2023.
Net (after tax) household income averages £33,926.
Businesses in Brushes ONS 2025
There are approximately 897 active businesses based in Brushes, around 33 for every 1,000 residents. The local economy is dominated by small firms: about 89% are micro-businesses employing fewer than 10 people, while 10 are larger employers with 50 or more staff. Figures are from the Office for National Statistics UK Business Counts.
Deprivation and Employment in Brushes IMD 2025
Brushes 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.
Crime in Brushes 1 crimes · May 2026
Brushes records relatively low levels of reported crime compared to national averages. Violence & sexual offences is the most commonly logged offence type, though overall numbers remain modest. The area is generally considered a safe and settled town with a strong sense of community.
Crime figures depend on reporting by individual police forces and may not reflect the full picture in all areas.
Nearest Train Stations 6 stations
Location
Nearby Towns & Villages 12 found
Local Government
Home Ownership in Brushes
Of the 11,901 households in and around Brushes, 60% are owned, 23% are socially rented and 17% are privately rented. Home ownership here is lower than the England and Wales average of 63%.
Tenure from the 2021 Census (ONS), for the postcode districts covering Brushes.