Barnsley
Economic profile. Data last updated 2026-03-28.
Barnsley supports 83,565 workplace jobs with median earnings 5% below the England average. Productivity (GVA per job) is ranked 225th of 391 local authorities.
Source: ONS, Nomis, HM Land Registry, 2024-2025·Last updated March 2026
Demographics & Population
Mid-year population estimates (2024) and Census 2021 age profile.
Mid-year population estimate of 251,770. Population has grown by 9.4% over five years, significantly below the England rate of 11.4%.
Source: ONS Mid-Year Population Estimates, Census 2021, 2024·Last updated March 2026
Earnings & Income
Gross annual earnings distribution, 2025.
Median annual earnings of £31,359 are below the England median of £33,080.
Gender Pay Gap
The gender pay gap is 25.7% (male median £36,309, female median £26,978). This is below the England gap of 28.2%.
Source: ASHE via Nomis, 2025·Last updated March 2026
Industry Structure
Location quotients and shift-share analysis for Barnsley's economy.
The most specialised sectors are Manufacturing (LQ 1.80) and Construction (LQ 1.57). Professional, scientific & technical shows the strongest local competitive advantage. Administrative & support services underperforms its national sectoral trend.
Source: BRES via Nomis, 2020-2024·Last updated March 2026
Housing & Property Market
Estimated house prices for Barnsley vs England, 2015-2025.
The median house price of £261,167 is below the England median of £290,000. The price-to-earnings ratio is 8.3x. Prices have risen 1.8% over the past year.
Source: HM Land Registry, Census 2021, 2015-2025·Last updated March 2026
Benchmark to national figures
Comparing Barnsley to England and Great Britain averages.
Barnsley's median earnings of £31,359 are in line with the England average. The claimant rate of 3.3% is lower than the GB average of 3.5%.
Country averages computed from local authority-level data (England: 294 LAs, GB: 348 LAs). May differ slightly from official published national statistics.