Darwen on the map

Darwen built-up area

Built-up area6.7 km² (2.6 sq mi)

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

33,285
Population
14,813
Households
4 / 10
Deprivation decile
Around average
12
Schools nearby
£44,353
Avg. household income
1,157
Businesses
745
People per km²
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About Darwen

Darwen is a town located in Lancashire, England, within the BB3 postcode area. It is situated approximately 12 miles north of Manchester and is part of the wider Blackburn with Darwen borough. The town has a mix of residential areas, local shops, and community facilities. Darwen is known for its proximity to the West Pennine Moors, which offers opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking and cycling.

The town features several parks and green spaces, providing areas for leisure and recreation. Darwen's local economy has traditionally been linked to the textile industry, although it has diversified over the years. The town centre includes a selection of eateries and retail outlets, catering to the needs of residents and visitors alike. Overall, Darwen presents a blend of urban and rural elements, making it a practical location for those looking to explore Lancashire.

School Ratings in Darwen

There are 125 schools in and around Darwen. Turncroft Nursery School is rated Outstanding by Ofsted. A further 14 schools hold a Good rating.

House Prices in Darwen

The average property price is £160K, with terraced houses making up the majority of the housing stock at around £106K.

Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour in Darwen

Recorded crime levels are broadly in line with the national average. Anti-social behaviour is prevalent across Darwen, with 39 recorded incidents in April 2026.

Deprivation and Employment in Darwen

Darwen 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 Darwen

There are 24 GP surgeries within three miles of Darwen, the nearest being Darwen Healthcare (0.4 miles away).

Local Data for Darwen

Dig deeper into the area around Darwen 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 6,219 sales

Average Price £160K
£100 , £8.51M
Detached £268K 1,117
Semi £172K 1,160
Terraced £106K 3,455
Flat £93K 154

Schools & Education 12 nearby View all schools

71 Primary
13 Secondary
41 Other
Outstanding 1
Good 14
Requires improvement 1

Ofsted ratings for schools in the BB3 postcode area.

Darwen Children's Centre Good 0.2 miles Darwen St James CofE Primary Academy Primary 0.2 miles Darwen Aldridge Community Academy Secondary 0.3 miles Darwen Aldridge Sudell Primary Primary Good 0.3 miles Turncroft Nursery School Nursery Outstanding 0.3 miles Darwen Aldridge Enterprise Studio Secondary Good 0.3 miles Holy Trinity VC School Primary 0.3 miles Darwen St Peter's Church of England Primary School Primary Good 0.5 miles St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School, Darwen Primary Good 0.6 miles Avondale Primary School Primary Good 0.7 miles Crosshill Special School Not applicable Good 0.8 miles St Cuthbert's Church of England Primary School Primary Requires Improvement 1 miles

Household Income in Darwen ONS 2023

The average total household income in Darwen is approximately £44,353 a year before tax, 20% below the national average of £55,302. After tax and benefits, the average disposable (net) household income is around £33,900. These are modelled estimates from the Office for National Statistics for the financial year ending 2023.

Darwen £44,353
England & Wales avg. £55,302

Net (after tax) household income averages £33,900.

Businesses in Darwen ONS 2025

There are approximately 1,157 active businesses based in Darwen, 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 14 are larger employers with 50 or more staff. Figures are from the Office for National Statistics UK Business Counts.

1,157 Total businesses
35 Per 1,000 residents
Micro, 0-9 89%
Small, 10-49 10%
Medium, 50-249 1%
Large, 250+ 0%

Deprivation and Employment in Darwen IMD 2025

Darwen 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
4/10
Income
5/10
Employment
5/10
Education
5/10
Health
4/10
Housing
5/10
Living Environment
4/10
Children 0-15 18%
Working age 63%
Older 65+ 19%
6,105 Children (0-15) 18%
21,119 Working Age 63%
6,053 Older (65+) 18%
Average Child Poverty (IDACI) 35.6% 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 Darwen 258 crimes · April 2026

Average Crime Area

Reported crime levels in Darwen 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 112
Anti-Social Behaviour 39
Criminal Damage & Arson 22
Burglary 17
Public Order 17
Other Theft 13
Drugs 9
Other Crime 9
Weapons 7
Shoplifting 7
Vehicle Crime 5
Robbery 1
Local Policing
Lancashire Darwen East 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

Darwen Train Station 0.2 miles
Mill Hill (Lancs) Train Station 3.2 miles
Cherry Tree Train Station 3.4 miles
Blackburn Train Station 3.4 miles
Entwistle Train Station 3.5 miles
Pleasington Train Station 4 miles

Location

Nearby Towns & Villages 12 found

Sunnyhurst 0.6 miles Chapels 0.6 miles Rosehill 0.9 miles Hoddlesden 1.2 miles Whitehall 1.2 miles Waterside 1.4 miles Blacksnape 1.4 miles Grimshaw 1.4 miles Earcroft 1.4 miles Bank Fold 1.8 miles Belthorn 1.8 miles Pickup Bank 1.9 miles

Local Government

District Blackburn with Darwen
Ward Darwen West
Constituency Rossendale and Darwen
Parish Darwen
Region North West

Home Ownership in Darwen

Of the 14,814 households in and around Darwen, 65% are owned, 12% are socially rented and 23% are privately rented. Home ownership here is in line with the England and Wales average of 63%.

Owned 65% Social rented 12% Private rented 23%

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

Frequently Asked Questions about Darwen

What is the population of Darwen?
Darwen has a population of approximately 33,285 residents, based on the latest census figures for the surrounding postcode area.
What is the average house price in Darwen?
The average property in and around Darwen sold for about £160,407, based on HM Land Registry Price Paid records. That is around 54% below the England and Wales average of £349,091.
Is Darwen a deprived area?
Darwen sits around the national average for deprivation, with an Index of Multiple Deprivation decile of 4 out of 10, where 1 is the most deprived and 10 the least deprived.
What postcodes cover Darwen?
Darwen is covered by the BB3 postcode district.
How many schools are there in Darwen?
There are 12 schools within easy reach of Darwen, spanning primary, secondary and other phases.
Where is the nearest train station to Darwen?
The nearest railway station to Darwen is Darwen Train Station, about 0.2 miles away.

Streets in BB3 30 shown View all streets

Abbey Crescent 1 Abbey Place 1 Ainsdale Drive 1 Ainsworth Close 2 Aintree Drive 1 Albert Place 1 Albert Street 2 Alexandra View 1 Alfred Street 2 Alice Street 1 Allerton Close 1 Almond Street 2 Alpha Street 1 Ambleside Drive 1 Anchor Avenue 2 Anchor Grove 1 Anyon Street 2 Arch Street 1 Argyle Street 2 Arlington Road 2 Ash Grove 1 Ashleigh Street 1 Ashton Lane 5 Ashton Road 2 Ashworth Terrace 1 Astbury Chase 2 Aster Chase 1 Astley Heights 1 Astley Street 2 Atlas Road 1

Postcodes in BB3 50 shown View all postcodes

BB3 0AA BB3 0AB BB3 0AD BB3 0AE BB3 0AF BB3 0AG BB3 0AJ BB3 0AL BB3 0AP BB3 0AQ BB3 0AR BB3 0AS BB3 0AT BB3 0AU BB3 0AW BB3 0AX BB3 0AY BB3 0AZ BB3 0BA BB3 0BB BB3 0BG BB3 0BJ BB3 0BL BB3 0BN BB3 0BP BB3 0BQ BB3 0BR BB3 0BW BB3 0BY BB3 0DA BB3 0DB BB3 0DD BB3 0DE BB3 0DF BB3 0DG BB3 0DH BB3 0DJ BB3 0DN BB3 0DP BB3 0DQ BB3 0DR BB3 0DS BB3 0DT BB3 0DU BB3 0DW BB3 0DY BB3 0DZ BB3 0EA BB3 0EB BB3 0EE