Skelmersdale on the map

Skelmersdale built-up area

Built-up area11.2 km² (4.3 sq mi)

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

45,521
Population
19,032
Households
5 / 10
Deprivation decile
Around average
12
Schools nearby
£44,172
Avg. household income
1,325
Businesses
775
People per km²
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About Skelmersdale

Skelmersdale is a town located in Lancashire, England, within the WN8 postcode area. It was developed in the 1960s as part of a new town initiative to accommodate the overspill population from nearby Liverpool. The town features various residential areas, shopping facilities, and community services, making it a practical choice for families and individuals alike.

The town centre includes a range of shops, eateries, and leisure facilities, providing residents with essential amenities. Skelmersdale is well-connected by road, with easy access to the M58 motorway, facilitating travel to nearby towns and cities. There are also several parks and green spaces in the area, offering opportunities for outdoor activities and relaxation. Overall, Skelmersdale serves as a functional and accessible location for those seeking a suburban lifestyle in Lancashire.

School Ratings in Skelmersdale

Skelmersdale is served by 95 schools. St John's Children's Centre & Extended School and Crawford Village Primary School are each rated Outstanding by Ofsted. A further 15 schools hold a Good rating.

House Prices in Skelmersdale

Property prices average £223K across the area, and terraced houses are the most common property type, typically selling for £107K.

Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour in Skelmersdale

Local crime rates sit broadly in line with national averages. Anti-social behaviour accounts for the highest share in Skelmersdale, with 36 incidents logged in April 2026.

Deprivation and Employment in Skelmersdale

Based on the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation, Skelmersdale 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 Skelmersdale

There are 12 GP surgeries within three miles of Skelmersdale, the nearest being Skelmersdale Nhs Wic (0.3 miles away).

Local Data for Skelmersdale

Dig deeper into the area around Skelmersdale 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 5,614 sales

Average Price £223K
£1 , £20.08M
Detached £311K 1,387
Semi £171K 1,753
Terraced £107K 2,007
Flat £92K 203

Schools & Education 12 nearby View all schools

59 Primary
10 Secondary
26 Other
Outstanding 7
Good 15
Requires improvement 2

Ofsted ratings for schools in the WN8 postcode area.

St Edmund's Catholic Primary School Primary Good 0.4 miles Delph Side Community Primary School Primary 0.5 miles St John's Children's Centre & Extended School Outstanding 0.5 miles Woodland Community Primary School Primary Requires Improvement 0.5 miles St John's Catholic Primary School, Skelmersdale Primary Good 0.6 miles Cobbs Brow School Primary 0.6 miles Crow Orchard Primary School Primary Good 0.6 miles Trinity Church of England/Methodist School Primary Good 0.7 miles Lathom High School : A Technology College Secondary Good 0.8 miles Hillside Community Primary School Primary Good 0.8 miles St James' Catholic Primary School, Skelmersdale Primary 0.9 miles Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic High School Secondary 0.9 miles

Household Income in Skelmersdale ONS 2023

The average total household income in Skelmersdale is approximately £44,172 a year before tax, 20% below the national average of £55,302. After tax and benefits, the average disposable (net) household income is around £33,670. These are modelled estimates from the Office for National Statistics for the financial year ending 2023.

Skelmersdale £44,172
England & Wales avg. £55,302

Net (after tax) household income averages £33,670.

Businesses in Skelmersdale ONS 2025

There are approximately 1,325 active businesses based in Skelmersdale, around 29 for every 1,000 residents. The local economy is dominated by small firms: about 85% are micro-businesses employing fewer than 10 people, while 42 are larger employers with 50 or more staff. Figures are from the Office for National Statistics UK Business Counts.

1,325 Total businesses
29 Per 1,000 residents
Micro, 0-9 85%
Small, 10-49 12%
Medium, 50-249 3%
Large, 250+ 0%

Deprivation and Employment in Skelmersdale IMD 2025

The 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation places Skelmersdale 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
5/10
Income
5/10
Employment
4/10
Education
5/10
Health
4/10
Housing
6/10
Living Environment
6/10
Children 0-15 19%
Working age 63%
Older 65+ 18%
8,783 Children (0-15) 19%
28,590 Working Age 63%
8,127 Older (65+) 18%
Average Child Poverty (IDACI) 38.7% of children in income-deprived families
Average Older Person Poverty (IDAOPI) 24.3% 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 Skelmersdale 300 crimes · April 2026

Average Crime Area

Skelmersdale experiences crime rates that are roughly comparable to the national picture. Violence & sexual offences is the most reported category, consistent with broader patterns across similar communities. Day-to-day life here reflects the usual mix of challenges found in any established town.

Violence & Sexual Offences 126
Anti-Social Behaviour 36
Criminal Damage & Arson 33
Public Order 23
Other Theft 20
Vehicle Crime 16
Burglary 13
Other Crime 9
Drugs 7
Weapons 6
Robbery 6
Shoplifting 5
Local Policing
Lancashire Tanhouse & Skelmersdale Town Centre 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

Upholland Train Station 2 miles
Parbold Train Station 2.6 miles
Rainford Train Station 3 miles
Appley Bridge Train Station 3.1 miles
Hoscar Train Station 3.1 miles
Orrell Train Station 3.2 miles

Location

Nearby Towns & Villages 12 found

Town Centre 0 yards Birch Green 0.6 miles Elmers Green 0.6 miles Pennylands 0.6 miles Chapel House 0.6 miles Ashurst 0.6 miles Tanhouse 0.9 miles Whalleys 1.2 miles Dalton 1.4 miles Digmoor 1.4 miles Blaguegate 1.9 miles Hall Green 2 miles

Local Government

District West Lancashire
County Lancashire
Ward Up Holland
Constituency West Lancashire
Parish Up Holland
Region North West

Home Ownership in Skelmersdale

Of the 19,282 households in and around Skelmersdale, 60% are owned, 24% are socially rented and 16% are privately rented. Home ownership here is lower than the England and Wales average of 63%.

Owned 60% Social rented 24% Private rented 16%

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

Frequently Asked Questions about Skelmersdale

What is the population of Skelmersdale?
Skelmersdale has a population of approximately 45,521 residents, based on the latest census figures for the surrounding postcode area.
What is the average house price in Skelmersdale?
The average property in and around Skelmersdale sold for about £223,227, based on HM Land Registry Price Paid records. That is around 36% below the England and Wales average of £349,091.
Is Skelmersdale a deprived area?
Skelmersdale sits around the national average for deprivation, with an Index of Multiple Deprivation decile of 5 out of 10, where 1 is the most deprived and 10 the least deprived.
What postcodes cover Skelmersdale?
Skelmersdale is covered by the WN8 postcode district.
How many schools are there in Skelmersdale?
There are 12 schools within easy reach of Skelmersdale, spanning primary, secondary and other phases.
Where is the nearest train station to Skelmersdale?
The nearest railway station to Skelmersdale is Upholland Train Station, about 2 miles away.

Streets in WN8 30 shown View all streets

Abbey Close 1 Abbeystead 6 Abbeywood 2 Acrefield 3 Acregate 3 Alder Lane 4 Alderbrook Drive 2 Alderley 4 Alexandra Close 1 Alma Close 1 Alma Court 1 Alma Hill 3 Alma Road 1 Ambergate 1 Ambleside Close 1 Amersham 1 Ann Street 2 Appleton Road 2 Ash Brow 2 Ash Grove 1 Ashley Road 2 Ashmead Road 2 Ashurst Close 2 Ashurst Road 2 Ashwall Street 1 Ashwood 1 Aspen Way 6 Ayrefield Road 1 Back Lane 9 Back Row 1

Postcodes in WN8 50 shown View all postcodes

WN8 0AA WN8 0AB WN8 0AD WN8 0AE WN8 0AF WN8 0AG WN8 0AH WN8 0AJ WN8 0AL WN8 0AN WN8 0AP WN8 0AQ WN8 0AR WN8 0AS WN8 0AT WN8 0AU WN8 0AW WN8 0AX WN8 0AY WN8 0AZ WN8 0BA WN8 0BB WN8 0BD WN8 0BE WN8 0BG WN8 0BH WN8 0BJ WN8 0BL WN8 0BN WN8 0BP WN8 0BQ WN8 0BS WN8 0BT WN8 0BU WN8 0BW WN8 0BX WN8 0BY WN8 0BZ WN8 0DA WN8 0DB WN8 0DD WN8 0DE WN8 0DQ WN8 0DR WN8 0DS WN8 0DT WN8 0DU WN8 0DW WN8 0DX WN8 0DY