Westhoughton on the map

Westhoughton built-up area

Built-up area5.1 km² (2.0 sq mi)

Location in Greater ManchesterWesthoughton sits where the marker shows within the county.

27,565
Population
11,499
Households
6 / 10
Deprivation decile
Around average
12
Schools nearby
£47,975
Avg. household income
965
Businesses
1,320
People per km²
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About Westhoughton

Westhoughton is a town located in Greater Manchester, England, within the BL5 postcode area. It lies approximately five miles west of Manchester city centre and is part of the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan. The town has a mix of residential areas and local amenities, including shops, schools, and parks, catering to the needs of its residents. Westhoughton is well-connected by public transport, with a railway station providing services to Manchester and other nearby towns.

The town is home to several notable landmarks, including St. George's Church, which dates back to the 19th century. Westhoughton also hosts various community events throughout the year, fostering a sense of local engagement. The surrounding countryside offers opportunities for outdoor activities, making it a suitable location for those who appreciate both urban and rural environments.

School Ratings in Westhoughton

Westhoughton is served by 212 schools. Eatock Primary School and Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Primary School are each rated Outstanding by Ofsted. A further 5 schools hold a Good rating.

House Prices in Westhoughton

Property prices average £252K across the area, and semi-detached homes are the most common property type, typically selling for £195K.

Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour in Westhoughton

Local crime rates sit lower than national averages.

Deprivation and Employment in Westhoughton

Based on the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation, Westhoughton falls within the mid-range nationally for overall deprivation. Working-age employment is around the national average for the area. Income levels locally sit close to the national average.

Healthcare in Westhoughton

There are 31 GP surgeries within three miles of Westhoughton, the nearest being Stable Fold Surgery (0.5 miles away).

Local Data for Westhoughton

Dig deeper into the area around Westhoughton 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 4,591 sales

Average Price £252K
£100 , £42.2M
Detached £324K 1,215
Semi £195K 1,545
Terraced £146K 1,393
Flat £107K 262

Schools & Education 12 nearby View all schools

129 Primary
25 Secondary
58 Other
Outstanding 2
Good 5
Requires improvement 1

Ofsted ratings for schools in the BL5 postcode area.

Washacre Family Hub Link Site 0.2 miles Washacre Primary Academy Primary 0.2 miles Westhoughton High School Secondary Requires Improvement 0.3 miles St Bartholomew's CofE Primary School Primary 0.3 miles Eatock Primary School Primary Outstanding 0.5 miles Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Primary School Primary Outstanding 0.5 miles St George's CofE Primary School Primary Good 0.6 miles St James CofE Primary School, Daisy Hill Primary Good 0.7 miles St Thomas CofE Primary School Primary Good 0.8 miles The Gates Primary School Primary Good 0.9 miles Atherton St George's CofE Primary School Primary Good 1.5 miles Oakfield High School and College Not applicable Outstanding 1.6 miles

Household Income in Westhoughton ONS 2023

The average total household income in Westhoughton is approximately £47,975 a year before tax, 13% below the national average of £55,302. After tax and benefits, the average disposable (net) household income is around £34,953. These are modelled estimates from the Office for National Statistics for the financial year ending 2023.

Westhoughton £47,975
England & Wales avg. £55,302

Net (after tax) household income averages £34,953.

Businesses in Westhoughton ONS 2025

There are approximately 965 active businesses based in Westhoughton, around 35 for every 1,000 residents. The local economy is dominated by small firms: about 89% are micro-businesses employing fewer than 10 people, while 19 are larger employers with 50 or more staff. Figures are from the Office for National Statistics UK Business Counts.

965 Total businesses
35 Per 1,000 residents
Micro, 0-9 89%
Small, 10-49 8%
Medium, 50-249 2%
Large, 250+ 1%

Deprivation and Employment in Westhoughton IMD 2025

The 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation places Westhoughton in the mid-range nationally. Employment and income levels are close to the England average, with a mix of opportunities across sectors. Overall living conditions are comparable to similar areas across the country.

Overall Deprivation
6/10
Income
6/10
Employment
5/10
Education
6/10
Health
5/10
Housing
6/10
Living Environment
6/10
Children 0-15 18%
Working age 62%
Older 65+ 20%
4,922 Children (0-15) 18%
17,094 Working Age 62%
5,543 Older (65+) 20%
Average Child Poverty (IDACI) 28.4% of children in income-deprived families
Average Older Person Poverty (IDAOPI) 15.8% 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 Westhoughton 1 crimes · May 2026

Low Crime Area

Reported crime in Westhoughton falls below the national average, suggesting a comparatively safe environment. Violence & sexual offences tops the list of recorded incidents, but figures are low overall. Residents and visitors alike tend to find this a quiet and reassuring town.

Violence & Sexual Offences 1
Local Policing
Greater Manchester Westhoughton South 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

Daisy Hill Train Station 0.4 miles
Westhoughton Train Station 0.7 miles
Hag Fold Train Station 1.4 miles
Atherton Train Station 2.1 miles
Hindley Train Station 2.2 miles
Horwich Parkway Train Station 2.4 miles

Location

Nearby Towns & Villages 12 found

Water's Nook 0.6 miles Daisy Hill 0.6 miles Hart Common 1.2 miles Wingates 1.2 miles Dangerous Corner 1.2 miles Hunger Hill 1.4 miles Chequerbent 1.4 miles Hag Fold 1.4 miles Four Gates 1.4 miles Chew Moor 1.4 miles Hindley Green 1.8 miles Atherton 1.8 miles

Local Government

District Bolton
Ward Hulton
Constituency Bolton South East
Parish Bolton, unparished area
Region North West

Home Ownership in Westhoughton

Of the 11,880 households in and around Westhoughton, 75% are owned, 12% are socially rented and 13% are privately rented. Home ownership here is higher than the England and Wales average of 63%.

Owned 75% Social rented 12% Private rented 13%

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

Frequently Asked Questions about Westhoughton

What is the population of Westhoughton?
Westhoughton has a population of approximately 27,565 residents, based on the latest census figures for the surrounding postcode area.
What is the average house price in Westhoughton?
The average property in and around Westhoughton sold for about £252,349, based on HM Land Registry Price Paid records. That is around 28% below the England and Wales average of £349,091.
Is Westhoughton a deprived area?
Westhoughton sits around the national average for deprivation, with an Index of Multiple Deprivation decile of 6 out of 10, where 1 is the most deprived and 10 the least deprived.
What postcodes cover Westhoughton?
Westhoughton is covered by the BL5 postcode district.
How many schools are there in Westhoughton?
There are 12 schools within easy reach of Westhoughton, spanning primary, secondary and other phases.
Where is the nearest train station to Westhoughton?
The nearest railway station to Westhoughton is Daisy Hill Train Station, about 0.4 miles away.

Streets in BL5 30 shown View all streets

Abbeylea Drive 3 Abbot Croft 1 Abelia Road 2 Aireworth Street 1 Albany Fold 2 Alderton Drive 1 Alexandria Drive 1 Alick's Fold 1 Allenby Grove 1 Allerton Close 1 Allesley Close 1 Alma Road 1 Amber Grove 1 Anderby Walk 2 Andrew's Terrace 1 Appleton Lane 1 Arundale 1 Ash Grove 1 Aspen Close 2 Back Albion Street 1 Back Church Street 3 Back Dixon Street 1 Back Grundy Street 3 Back King Street 2 Back Leigh Road 1 Back Manchester Road 1 Back Wesley Street 1 Back Wood Street (West) 2 Bailey Fold 1 Balfern Close 1

Postcodes in BL5 50 shown View all postcodes

BL5 1AA BL5 1AB BL5 1AD BL5 1AE BL5 1AF BL5 1AG BL5 1AH BL5 1AJ BL5 1AL BL5 1AN BL5 1AP BL5 1AQ BL5 1AR BL5 1AS BL5 1AT BL5 1AU BL5 1AW BL5 1AX BL5 1AY BL5 1AZ BL5 1BA BL5 1BB BL5 1BD BL5 1BE BL5 1BF BL5 1BG BL5 1BH BL5 1BJ BL5 1BL BL5 1BN BL5 1BP BL5 1BQ BL5 1BR BL5 1BS BL5 1BU BL5 1BW BL5 1BX BL5 1BY BL5 1BZ BL5 1DA BL5 1DB BL5 1DF BL5 1DH BL5 1DJ BL5 1DL BL5 1DN BL5 1DP BL5 1DQ BL5 1DR BL5 1DS