Lower Darwen on the map

Location in LancashireLower Darwen sits where the marker shows within the county.

63,143
Population
24,112
Households
4 / 10
Deprivation decile
Around average
12
Schools nearby
£43,089
Avg. household income
2,230
Businesses
1,423
People per km²
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About Lower Darwen

Lower Darwen is a village located in Lancashire, England, within the BB2 postcode area. It lies to the north of Blackburn and is part of the wider Blackburn with Darwen borough. The village has a mix of residential areas and local amenities, including shops and schools, catering to the needs of the community. The nearby countryside offers opportunities for outdoor activities, with various walking paths and green spaces available for residents and visitors alike.

The village is well-connected by road and public transport, making it accessible for those travelling to nearby towns and cities. Lower Darwen features a number of local parks and recreational facilities, providing spaces for leisure and social activities. The area reflects a typical Lancashire community, with a blend of traditional and modern influences visible in its architecture and local life.

School Ratings in Lower Darwen

Lower Darwen is served by 142 schools. Wensley Fold CofE Primary Academy, Tauheedul Islam Boys' High School and Tauheedul Islam Girls' High School are each rated Outstanding by Ofsted. A further 27 schools hold a Good rating.

House Prices in Lower Darwen

Property prices average £194K across the area, and terraced houses are the most common property type, typically selling for £106K.

Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour in Lower Darwen

Local crime rates sit higher than national averages. Anti-social behaviour accounts for the highest share in Lower Darwen, with 178 incidents logged in May 2026.

Deprivation and Employment in Lower Darwen

Based on the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation, Lower Darwen 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 Lower Darwen

There are 50 GP surgeries within three miles of Lower Darwen, the nearest being Roman Road Health Centre (0.4 miles away).

Local Data for Lower Darwen

Dig deeper into the area around Lower 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 8,303 sales

Average Price £194K
£395 , £17.65M
Detached £300K 2,117
Semi £173K 2,016
Terraced £106K 3,444
Flat £98K 312

Schools & Education 12 nearby View all schools

81 Primary
15 Secondary
46 Other
Outstanding 3
Good 27
Inadequate 2

Ofsted ratings for schools in the BB2 postcode area.

Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Roman Catholic Primary School Blackburn Primary Good 0.1 miles Longshaw Children's Centre Inadequate 0.3 miles Longshaw Nursery School Nursery Good 0.3 miles Longshaw Infant School Primary Good 0.3 miles Higher Croft Children's Centre 0.4 miles St James' Church of England Primary School Primary 0.6 miles Blackburn the Redeemer CofE Primary Primary 0.6 miles Lower Darwen Primary School Primary Good 0.6 miles Longshaw Community Junior School Primary Good 0.6 miles Markazul Uloom Not applicable Inadequate 0.7 miles Noorul Uloom Not applicable Good 0.7 miles Darwen Vale High School Secondary Good 0.7 miles

Household Income in Lower Darwen ONS 2023

The average total household income in Lower Darwen is approximately £43,089 a year before tax, 22% below the national average of £55,302. After tax and benefits, the average disposable (net) household income is around £32,655. These are modelled estimates from the Office for National Statistics for the financial year ending 2023.

Lower Darwen £43,089
England & Wales avg. £55,302

Net (after tax) household income averages £32,655.

Businesses in Lower Darwen ONS 2025

There are approximately 2,230 active businesses based in Lower Darwen, around 35 for every 1,000 residents. The local economy is dominated by small firms: about 87% are micro-businesses employing fewer than 10 people, while 46 are larger employers with 50 or more staff. Figures are from the Office for National Statistics UK Business Counts.

2,230 Total businesses
35 Per 1,000 residents
Micro, 0-9 87%
Small, 10-49 10%
Medium, 50-249 2%
Large, 250+ 1%

Deprivation and Employment in Lower Darwen IMD 2025

The 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation places Lower Darwen 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
4/10
Income
4/10
Employment
4/10
Education
4/10
Health
4/10
Housing
4/10
Living Environment
5/10
Children 0-15 23%
Working age 62%
Older 65+ 15%
14,223 Children (0-15) 23%
39,261 Working Age 62%
9,655 Older (65+) 15%
Average Child Poverty (IDACI) 44.5% of children in income-deprived families
Average Older Person Poverty (IDAOPI) 26.8% 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 Lower Darwen 996 crimes · May 2026

High Crime Area

Reported crime in Lower Darwen is above the national average when measured per capita. Violence & sexual offences dominates the figures, a trend mirrored in many urban centres. Local policing teams work actively in the area, and community initiatives continue to address key concerns.

Violence & Sexual Offences 447
Anti-Social Behaviour 178
Criminal Damage & Arson 77
Public Order 73
Shoplifting 51
Other Theft 37
Vehicle Crime 35
Drugs 27
Burglary 24
Other Crime 23
Weapons 13
Bicycle Theft 5
Robbery 5
Theft from Person 1
Local Policing
Lancashire Blackburn South & Lower Darwen 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

Mill Hill (Lancs) Train Station 1.4 miles
Blackburn Train Station 1.5 miles
Cherry Tree Train Station 1.7 miles
Darwen Train Station 1.8 miles
Pleasington Train Station 2.7 miles
Rishton Train Station 3.5 miles

Location

Nearby Towns & Villages 12 found

Ewood 0.6 miles Earcroft 0.6 miles Higher Croft 0.6 miles Whinny Heights 0.9 miles Guide 1.2 miles Waterloo 1.2 miles Blackburn 1.2 miles Grimshaw 1.4 miles Mill Hill 1.4 miles Chapels 1.4 miles Higher Audley 1.4 miles Queen's Park 1.4 miles

Local Government

District Blackburn with Darwen
County Lancashire
Ward Blackburn Central
Constituency Blackburn
Parish Blackburn with Darwen, unparished area
Region North West

Home Ownership in Lower Darwen

Of the 24,816 households in and around Lower Darwen, 60% are owned, 20% are socially rented and 20% are privately rented. Home ownership here is lower than the England and Wales average of 63%.

Owned 60% Social rented 20% Private rented 20%

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

Frequently Asked Questions about Lower Darwen

What is the population of Lower Darwen?
Lower Darwen has a population of approximately 63,143 residents, based on the latest census figures for the surrounding postcode area.
What is the average house price in Lower Darwen?
The average property in and around Lower Darwen sold for about £194,431, based on HM Land Registry Price Paid records. That is around 44% below the England and Wales average of £349,091.
Is Lower Darwen a deprived area?
Lower 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 Lower Darwen?
Lower Darwen is covered by the BB2 postcode district.
How many schools are there in Lower Darwen?
There are 12 schools within easy reach of Lower Darwen, spanning primary, secondary and other phases.
Where is the nearest train station to Lower Darwen?
The nearest railway station to Lower Darwen is Mill Hill (Lancs) Train Station, about 1.4 miles away.

Streets in BB2 30 shown View all streets

Abbotsford Avenue 1 Abbott Brow 4 Abraham Street 3 Acrefield 1 Ada Street 1 Addison Close 1 Addison Street 2 Adelaide Terrace 1 Agnes Street 1 Albany Road 1 Albert Street 2 Alberta Close 1 Albion Street 1 Alder Bank 1 Alderney Close 1 Alpine Grove 1 Amberley Street 1 Amberwood Drive 1 Andrew Close 1 Andrews Walk 1 Anglesey Street 1 Ansdell Terrace 2 Apple Street 2 Arbour Drive 1 Arkwright Fold 1 Arley Rise 1 Arnold Close 1 Arnside Crescent 1 Ashville Terrace 1 Ashwood Avenue 1

Postcodes in BB2 50 shown View all postcodes

BB2 1AA BB2 1AD BB2 1AG BB2 1AH BB2 1AN BB2 1AP BB2 1AR BB2 1AU BB2 1AW BB2 1AX BB2 1BD BB2 1DB BB2 1DE BB2 1DF BB2 1DG BB2 1DH BB2 1DL BB2 1DN BB2 1DQ BB2 1DY BB2 1ED BB2 1EE BB2 1EH BB2 1EJ BB2 1EL BB2 1EN BB2 1EP BB2 1ER BB2 1ES BB2 1EW BB2 1HD BB2 1HF BB2 1HG BB2 1HH BB2 1HJ BB2 1HL BB2 1HN BB2 1HP BB2 1HQ BB2 1HR BB2 1HS BB2 1HT BB2 1HU BB2 1HW BB2 1HX BB2 1HY BB2 1JA BB2 1JD BB2 1JG BB2 1JL