Waterside on the map

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

33,285
Population
14,813
Households
4 / 10
Deprivation decile
Around average
152
Schools nearby
£44,353
Avg. household income
1,157
Businesses
745
People per km²

About Waterside

Waterside is a small area located in Lancashire, England, within the BB3 postcode area. It is primarily a residential community, offering a range of local amenities for residents. The area features several parks and green spaces, providing opportunities for outdoor activities and relaxation.

The nearby town of Darwen is easily accessible, offering additional shopping and dining options. Waterside is well-connected by public transport, making it convenient for commuting to larger cities in the region. The local schools cater to families, contributing to a community-oriented atmosphere. Overall, Waterside presents a practical choice for those seeking a quiet place to live while remaining close to urban conveniences.

School Ratings in Waterside

Waterside is served by 152 schools. Turncroft Nursery School is rated Outstanding by Ofsted. A further 14 schools hold a Good rating.

House Prices in Waterside

Property prices average £160K across the area, and terraced houses are the most common property type, typically selling for £106K.

Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour in Waterside

Local crime rates sit higher than national averages. Anti-social behaviour accounts for the highest share in Waterside, with 38 incidents logged in June 2026.

Deprivation and Employment in Waterside

Based on the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation, Waterside 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 Waterside

There are 28 GP surgeries within three miles of Waterside, the nearest being Darwen Healthcare (1.7 miles away).

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 152 within 5 miles View all schools

89 Primary
18 Secondary
45 Other
Outstanding 1
Good 14
Requires improvement 1

Ofsted ratings for schools in the BB3 postcode area.

Belthorn Academy Primary School Primary Good 0.7 miles Hoddlesden St Paul's Church of England Primary School Primary 0.7 miles Darwen Aldridge Sudell Primary Primary Good 1.2 miles Lower Pastures Not applicable Good 1.2 miles Darwen St James CofE Primary Academy Primary 1.3 miles Turncroft Nursery School Nursery Outstanding 1.4 miles Darwen Children's Centre Good 1.4 miles Darwen St Peter's Church of England Primary School Primary Good 1.5 miles Darwen Aldridge Community Academy Secondary 1.6 miles Lower Darwen Primary School Primary Good 1.6 miles Darwen Aldridge Enterprise Studio Secondary Good 1.7 miles Holy Trinity VC School Primary 1.7 miles

Household Income in Waterside ONS 2023

The average total household income in Waterside 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.

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

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

Businesses in Waterside ONS 2025

There are approximately 1,157 active businesses based in Waterside, 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 Waterside IMD 2025

The 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation places Waterside 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
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 Waterside 283 crimes · June 2026

High Crime Area

Reported crime in Waterside 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 116
Anti-Social Behaviour 38
Vehicle Crime 36
Criminal Damage & Arson 22
Public Order 18
Drugs 11
Other Crime 10
Other Theft 7
Weapons 7
Shoplifting 7
Burglary 6
Robbery 2
Theft from Person 2
Bicycle Theft 1
Local Policing
Lancashire West Pennine 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 1.5 miles
Blackburn Train Station 3.3 miles
Church And Oswaldtwistle Train Station 3.5 miles
Mill Hill (Lancs) Train Station 3.6 miles
Entwistle Train Station 3.6 miles
Cherry Tree Train Station 3.9 miles

Location

Nearby Towns & Villages 12 found

Bank Fold 0.6 miles Belthorn 0.6 miles Hoddlesden 0.6 miles Grimshaw 0.9 miles Pickup Bank 0.9 miles Chapels 1.2 miles Blacksnape 1.2 miles Darwen 1.4 miles Rosehill 1.4 miles Guide 1.4 miles Earcroft 2 miles Sunnyhurst 2 miles

Local Government

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

Home Ownership in Waterside

Of the 14,814 households in and around Waterside, 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 Waterside.

Frequently Asked Questions about Waterside

What is the population of Waterside?
Waterside 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 Waterside?
The average property in and around Waterside 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 Waterside a deprived area?
Waterside 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 Waterside?
Waterside is covered by the BB3 postcode district.
How many schools are there in Waterside?
There are 152 schools within 5 miles of Waterside, spanning primary, secondary and other phases.
Where is the nearest train station to Waterside?
The nearest railway station to Waterside is Darwen Train Station, about 1.5 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