Birkenhead on the map

Birkenhead built-up area

Built-up area26.4 km² (10.2 sq mi)

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

51,847
Population
23,068
Households
4 / 10
Deprivation decile
Around average
12
Schools nearby
£35,494
Avg. household income
1,723
Businesses
3,802
People per km²
Create a free area profile for BirkenheadDownload or embed an infographic of these statistics

About Birkenhead

Birkenhead is a town located in the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral, within the county of Merseyside in England. It lies on the eastern side of the River Mersey, directly opposite the city of Liverpool. The town is known for its historical significance in the development of the railway and shipbuilding industries during the 19th century. Birkenhead is served by a network of roads and rail links, including the Merseyrail system, which connects it to Liverpool and surrounding areas. The town centre features a mix of commercial and residential buildings, with notable landmarks such as Birkenhead Park, one of the earliest public parks in the UK, designed by Joseph Paxton. The postcode area CH43 covers the town and its immediate surroundings.

School Ratings in Birkenhead

Birkenhead is served by 223 schools. A further 7 schools hold a Good rating.

House Prices in Birkenhead

Property prices average £147K across the area, and terraced houses are the most common property type, typically selling for £101K.

Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour in Birkenhead

Local crime rates sit higher than national averages. Drugs accounts for the highest share in Birkenhead, with 141 incidents logged in April 2026.

Deprivation and Employment in Birkenhead

Based on the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation, Birkenhead 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 Birkenhead

There are 100 GP surgeries within three miles of Birkenhead, the nearest being Devaney Med Ctr (0.4 miles away).

Property Prices 7,309 sales

Average Price £147K
£1K , £8.52M
Detached £330K 289
Semi £164K 1,761
Terraced £101K 3,741
Flat £85K 961

Household Income in Birkenhead ONS 2023

The average total household income in Birkenhead is approximately £35,494 a year before tax, 36% below the national average of £55,302. After tax and benefits, the average disposable (net) household income is around £27,380. These are modelled estimates from the Office for National Statistics for the financial year ending 2023.

Birkenhead £35,494
England & Wales avg. £55,302

Net (after tax) household income averages £27,380.

Businesses in Birkenhead ONS 2025

There are approximately 1,723 active businesses based in Birkenhead, around 33 for every 1,000 residents. The local economy is dominated by small firms: about 86% are micro-businesses employing fewer than 10 people, while 39 are larger employers with 50 or more staff. Figures are from the Office for National Statistics UK Business Counts.

1,723 Total businesses
33 Per 1,000 residents
Micro, 0-9 86%
Small, 10-49 13%
Medium, 50-249 2%
Large, 250+ 0%

Deprivation and Employment in Birkenhead IMD 2025

The 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation places Birkenhead 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
5/10
Health
2/10
Housing
10/10
Living Environment
5/10
Children 0-15 21%
Working age 64%
Older 65+ 15%
10,934 Children (0-15) 21%
33,267 Working Age 64%
7,636 Older (65+) 15%
Average Child Poverty (IDACI) 41.6% of children in income-deprived families
Average Older Person Poverty (IDAOPI) 27.5% 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 Birkenhead 1,175 crimes · April 2026

High Crime Area

Reported crime in Birkenhead 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 407
Drugs 141
Shoplifting 133
Anti-Social Behaviour 114
Public Order 107
Criminal Damage & Arson 82
Other Theft 63
Burglary 38
Vehicle Crime 32
Other Crime 19
Weapons 15
Theft from Person 10
Robbery 9
Bicycle Theft 5
Local Policing
Merseyside Claughton 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

Birkenhead Park Train Station 0.6 miles
Conway Park Train Station 1 miles
Birkenhead Central Train Station 1.1 miles
Birkenhead North Train Station 1.2 miles
Green Lane Train Station 1.3 miles
Birkenhead Hamilton Square Train Station 1.4 miles

Location

Local Government

District Wirral
Ward Prenton
Constituency Birkenhead
Parish Wirral, unparished area
Region North West

Home Ownership in Birkenhead

Of the 23,945 households in and around Birkenhead, 43% are owned, 28% are socially rented and 28% are privately rented. Home ownership here is lower than the England and Wales average of 63%.

Owned 43% Social rented 28% Private rented 28%

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

Frequently Asked Questions about Birkenhead

What is the population of Birkenhead?
Birkenhead has a population of approximately 51,847 residents, based on the latest census figures for the surrounding postcode area.
What is the average house price in Birkenhead?
The average property in and around Birkenhead sold for about £146,828, based on HM Land Registry Price Paid records. That is around 58% below the England and Wales average of £349,091.
Is Birkenhead a deprived area?
Birkenhead 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 Birkenhead?
Birkenhead is covered by the CH25, CH41, CH42 postcode districts.
How many schools are there in Birkenhead?
There are 12 schools within easy reach of Birkenhead, spanning primary, secondary and other phases.
Where is the nearest train station to Birkenhead?
The nearest railway station to Birkenhead is Birkenhead Park Train Station, about 0.6 miles away.