Wakefield on the map

Wakefield built-up area

Built-up area28.2 km² (10.9 sq mi)

Location in West YorkshireWakefield sits where the marker shows within the county.

173,371
Population
68,435
Households
4 / 10
Deprivation decile
Around average
12
Schools nearby
£48,778
Avg. household income
5,557
Businesses
1,034
People per km²
Create a free area profile for WakefieldDownload or embed an infographic of these statistics →

About Wakefield

Wakefield is a city located in West Yorkshire, England, within the postcode area WF1. It serves as the administrative centre for the district and is known for its diverse range of amenities and services. The city features a mix of modern and historic architecture, including the impressive Wakefield Cathedral, which dates back to the 13th century. Visitors can explore various shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions, making it a convenient location for both residents and tourists.

The city is also home to the Hepworth Wakefield, a contemporary art gallery that showcases a variety of exhibitions and events throughout the year. Additionally, Wakefield is well-connected by public transport, with good rail links to nearby cities such as Leeds and Sheffield. The surrounding area offers parks and green spaces, providing opportunities for outdoor activities and relaxation.

School Ratings in Wakefield

Wakefield is served by 118 schools. Outwood Primary Academy Ledger Lane and CAPA College are each rated Outstanding by Ofsted. A further 15 schools hold a Good rating.

House Prices in Wakefield

Property prices average £241K across the area, and semi-detached homes are the most common property type, typically selling for £192K.

Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour in Wakefield

Local crime rates sit broadly in line with national averages. Anti-social behaviour accounts for the highest share in Wakefield, with 142 incidents logged in May 2026.

Deprivation and Employment in Wakefield

Based on the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation, Wakefield 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 Wakefield

There are 37 GP surgeries within three miles of Wakefield, the nearest being Trinity Medical Centre (39 yards away).

Local Data for Wakefield

Dig deeper into the area around Wakefield 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 23,714 sales

Average Price £241K
£200 , £74.09M
Detached £341K 6,672
Semi £192K 8,659
Terraced £152K 5,940
Flat £113K 1,599

Schools & Education 12 nearby View all schools

76 Primary
11 Secondary
31 Other
Outstanding 2
Good 15

Ofsted ratings for schools in the WF1 postcode area.

Wakefield St Marys Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School Primary Good 0.3 miles Outwood Primary Academy Greenhill Primary 0.5 miles St Austin's Catholic Primary School Primary 0.5 miles CAPA College 16 plus Outstanding 0.5 miles Heart of Yorkshire Education Group 16 plus Good 0.6 miles Wakefield Girls' High School Not applicable 0.6 miles Pinmoor Children's Centre Good 0.6 miles Wakefield Pinders Primary (JIN) School Primary Good 0.6 miles Wakefield Lawefield Primary School Primary Good 0.6 miles Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Not applicable 0.7 miles Wakefield Grammar Pre-Preparatory School Not applicable 0.7 miles Methodist Voluntary Controlled Junior, Infant and Nursery School: With Communication Resource Primary Good 0.7 miles

Household Income in Wakefield ONS 2023

The average total household income in Wakefield is approximately £48,778 a year before tax, 12% below the national average of £55,302. After tax and benefits, the average disposable (net) household income is around £37,343. These are modelled estimates from the Office for National Statistics for the financial year ending 2023.

Wakefield £48,778
England & Wales avg. £55,302

Net (after tax) household income averages £37,343.

Businesses in Wakefield ONS 2025

There are approximately 5,557 active businesses based in Wakefield, around 32 for every 1,000 residents. The local economy is dominated by small firms: about 89% are micro-businesses employing fewer than 10 people, while 92 are larger employers with 50 or more staff. Figures are from the Office for National Statistics UK Business Counts.

5,557 Total businesses
32 Per 1,000 residents
Micro, 0-9 89%
Small, 10-49 9%
Medium, 50-249 1%
Large, 250+ 1%

Deprivation and Employment in Wakefield IMD 2025

The 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation places Wakefield 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
4/10
Education
4/10
Health
3/10
Housing
7/10
Living Environment
5/10
Children 0-15 19%
Working age 63%
Older 65+ 18%
32,153 Children (0-15) 19%
108,746 Working Age 63%
32,487 Older (65+) 19%
Average Child Poverty (IDACI) 38.9% of children in income-deprived families
Average Older Person Poverty (IDAOPI) 23% 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 Wakefield 1,338 crimes · May 2026

Average Crime Area

Wakefield 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 city.

Violence & Sexual Offences 540
Anti-Social Behaviour 142
Shoplifting 120
Public Order 113
Criminal Damage & Arson 98
Other Theft 90
Vehicle Crime 70
Burglary 53
Drugs 38
Other Crime 34
Robbery 13
Bicycle Theft 10
Theft from Person 9
Weapons 8
Local Policing
West Yorkshire Wakefield Central 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

Wakefield Kirkgate Train Station 0.2 miles
Sandal And Agbrigg Train Station 1.3 miles
Outwood Train Station 2.4 miles
Dewsbury Train Station 5.7 miles
Woodlesford Train Station 5.7 miles
Batley Train Station 5.7 miles

Location

Nearby Towns & Villages 12 found

Thornes 0.9 miles Agbrigg 0.9 miles Belle Vue 0.9 miles East Moor 0.9 miles Flanshaw 1.2 miles Portobello 1.2 miles Sandal 1.2 miles Newton Hill 1.2 miles Heath Common 1.4 miles Lupset 1.4 miles Alverthorpe 1.4 miles Sandal Magna 1.4 miles

Local Government

District Wakefield
Ward Stanley and Outwood East
Constituency Morley and Outwood
Parish Wakefield, unparished area
Region Yorkshire and The Humber

Home Ownership in Wakefield

Of the 74,143 households in and around Wakefield, 65% are owned, 19% are socially rented and 15% are privately rented. Home ownership here is in line with the England and Wales average of 63%.

Owned 65% Social rented 19% Private rented 15%

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

Frequently Asked Questions about Wakefield

What is the population of Wakefield?
Wakefield has a population of approximately 173,371 residents, based on the latest census figures for the surrounding postcode area.
What is the average house price in Wakefield?
The average property in and around Wakefield sold for about £240,840, based on HM Land Registry Price Paid records. That is around 31% below the England and Wales average of £349,091.
Is Wakefield a deprived area?
Wakefield 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 Wakefield?
Wakefield is covered by the WF1, WF2, WF3, WF4, WF90 postcode districts.
How many schools are there in Wakefield?
There are 12 schools within easy reach of Wakefield, spanning primary, secondary and other phases.
Where is the nearest train station to Wakefield?
The nearest railway station to Wakefield is Wakefield Kirkgate Train Station, about 0.2 miles away.

Streets in Wakefield 30 shown View all streets

Abbey Close 1 Abbot Lane 2 Abbott Terrace 3 Aberfield Drive 1 Aberford Road 32 Acme Terrace 1 Acres Road 1 Acute Terrace 1 Addingford Close 1 Addingford Drive 1 Addingford Lane 2 Addison Court 1 Adwick Grove 1 Agbrigg Grove 1 Agbrigg Road 14 Airedale Heights 2 Albion Court 2 Albion Mews 1 Albion Street 2 Alder Avenue 1 Alexandra Lane 1 All Saints Walk 6 Allan Haigh Close 1 Allerton Road 2 Allison Terrace 1 Almond Avenue 1 Almshouse Lane 7 Altinkool Street 1 Alverthorpe Road 11 Ambleside Drive 1

Postcodes in Wakefield 50 shown View all postcodes

WF1 1AA WF1 1AD WF1 1AH WF1 1AJ WF1 1AL WF1 1AN WF1 1AP WF1 1AR WF1 1BA WF1 1BB WF1 1BD WF1 1BW WF1 1DD WF1 1DE WF1 1DF WF1 1DG WF1 1DH WF1 1DL WF1 1DP WF1 1DR WF1 1DS WF1 1DW WF1 1DX WF1 1DY WF1 1DZ WF1 1EA WF1 1ED WF1 1EH WF1 1EL WF1 1EP WF1 1EW WF1 1HA WF1 1HB WF1 1HD WF1 1HE WF1 1HF WF1 1HG WF1 1HP WF1 1HR WF1 1HS WF1 1HU WF1 1HX WF1 1JA WF1 1JD WF1 1JG WF1 1JN WF1 1JR WF1 1JU WF1 1JX WF1 1JY