About Bacup

Bacup is a town in the Rossendale borough of Lancashire, England, located within the OL13 postcode area. It lies in the foothills of the Pennines, surrounded by rolling hills and moorland, with the River Irwell flowing through the valley. The town developed during the 19th century as a centre for cotton spinning and textile manufacturing, and many of the former mill buildings remain, some now converted for other uses. Bacup has a mix of residential areas and local amenities, including shops, schools, and community facilities. The town is well connected by road and rail, with Bacup railway station providing regular services to nearby towns and cities. It is known for its strong sense of local identity and community spirit, with several local events and groups contributing to its social life.

School Ratings in Bacup

Families in Bacup have access to 68 local schools. The Maden Community & Children's Centre and Bacup Nursery School are each rated Outstanding by Ofsted. A further 6 schools hold a Good rating.

House Prices in Bacup

Homes sell for an average of £158K locally. Most of the housing is made up of terraced houses, averaging £99K.

Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour in Bacup

Crime in the area is higher than the national average. Anti-social behaviour is the leading concern across Bacup, with 33 incidents recorded in January 2026.

Deprivation and Employment in Bacup

The 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation places Bacup within the more deprived parts of England. A higher proportion of working-age residents face employment challenges compared to the national picture. Average incomes in the area are typical for England.

Broadband and Mobile Internet in Bacup

Broadband services in Bacup range from standard to superfast depending on location. Mobile signal strength on 4G is reasonable, though 5G and indoor coverage can be patchy. For the latest speed predictions, visit Ofcom's broadband checker.

Property Prices 2,764 sales

Average Price £158K
£450 £1.43M
Detached £268K 573
Semi £161K 507
Terraced £99K 1,414
Flat £90K 40

Deprivation and Employment in Bacup IMD 2025

According to the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation, Bacup experiences higher levels of deprivation than much of England. Employment and income indicators fall below the national average, though the area benefits from targeted regeneration and community support programmes.

Overall Deprivation
3/10
Income
4/10
Employment
3/10
Education
4/10
Health
3/10
Housing
3/10
Living Environment
3/10
4,238 Children (0-15) 20%
13,116 Working Age 62%
5,139 Older (60+) 24%
Average Child Poverty (IDACI) 43.2% of children in income-deprived families
Average Older Person Poverty (IDAOPI) 20.6% 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 Bacup 166 crimes · January 2026

High Crime Area

Crime figures for Bacup are higher than the England and Wales average, with violence & sexual offences the most prevalent offence recorded. Urban density and footfall contribute to elevated reporting in areas like this. Ongoing investment in policing and community safety programmes aims to improve the picture.

64 Violence & Sexual Offences
33 Anti-Social Behaviour
15 Criminal Damage & Arson
14 Shoplifting
9 Other Theft
8 Burglary
8 Public Order
5 Other Crime
4 Drugs
3 Weapons
2 Vehicle Crime
1 Robbery
Local Policing
Lancashire Britannia & Lee Mill 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

Walsden Train Station 4.3 miles
Todmorden Train Station 4.5 miles
Littleborough Train Station 5.8 miles
Smithy Bridge Train Station 6 miles
Burnley Manchester Road Train Station 6.3 miles
Rochdale Train Station 6.5 miles

Location

Local Government

District Rossendale
County Lancashire
Ward Greensclough
Constituency Rossendale and Darwen
Parish Rossendale, unparished area
Region North West

Notable & Famous People from Bacup 2 people

Johnny Clegg
Singer-songwriter
British and South African musician, anthropologist and anti-apartheid icon
Matty James
Association football player
English association football player (born 1991)