OverviewDemographicsEarningsIndustryHousing

Blackburn with Darwen

Economic profile. Data last updated 2026-03-28.

Blackburn with Darwen supports 71,975 workplace jobs with median earnings 17% below the England average. Productivity (GVA per job) is ranked 180th of 391 local authorities.

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Population

162,540

↑ 10.6%

England: 58,620,101

Workplace Jobs

71,975

Median Annual Earnings

£27,502

337th of 348

England: £33,080

Median House Price

£229,045

↑ 1.8%337th of 348

England: £290,000

Price-to-Earnings

8.3x

GVA per Job

£60,556

180th of 391

England: £63,763

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 162,540. Population has grown by 10.6% over five years, below the England rate of 11.4%.

Population

162,540

England: 58,620,101

Working-Age (16-64)

63.0%

England: 62.9%

Under 16

22.7%

Over 65

14.3%

Source: ONS Mid-Year Population Estimates, Census 2021, 2024·Last updated March 2026

Earnings & Income

Gross annual earnings distribution, 2025.

Median annual earnings of £27,502 are significantly below the England median of £33,080.

Median Annual

£27,502

England: £33,080

10th Percentile

£11,896

90th Percentile

N/A

90/10 Ratio

N/A

Gender Pay Gap

The gender pay gap is 22.0% (male median £31,933, female median £24,908). This is significantly below the England gap of 28.2%.

Gender Pay Gap

22.0%

England: 28.2%

Source: ASHE via Nomis, 2025·Last updated March 2026

Industry Structure

Location quotients and shift-share analysis for Blackburn with Darwen's economy.

The most specialised sectors are Manufacturing (LQ 2.02) and Human health & social work (LQ 1.72). Human health & social work shows the strongest local competitive advantage. Wholesale & retail trade underperforms its national sectoral trend.

Largest Sector

Human health & social work

Most Specialised

Manufacturing

England: LQ 2.02

Fastest Growing

Human health & social work

Specialised Sectors

2

England: LQ > 1.25

Source: BRES via Nomis, 2020-2024·Last updated March 2026

Housing & Property Market

Estimated house prices for Blackburn with Darwen vs England, 2015-2025.

The median house price of £229,045 is significantly below the England median of £290,000. The price-to-earnings ratio is 8.3x. Prices have risen 1.8% over the past year.

Median Price

£229,045

England: £290,000

Price-to-Earnings

8.3x

12-Month Change

1.8%

Source: HM Land Registry, Census 2021, 2015-2025·Last updated March 2026

Benchmark to national figures

Comparing Blackburn with Darwen to England and Great Britain averages.

Blackburn with Darwen's median earnings of £27,502 are 16% significantly below the England average of £32,909. House prices are 16% significantly below the England median. The claimant rate of 5.4% is higher than the GB average of 3.5%.

Median earnings

£27,502

England: £32,909(16% below)
GB: £32,401(15% below)

Median house price

£229,045

England: £274,076(16% below)
GB: £269,841(15% below)

Claimant rate

5.4%

England: 3.6%(1.8pp higher)
GB: 3.5%(1.9pp higher)

GVA per job

£60,556

England: £61,178
GB: £61,125

Working-age population

63.0%

England: 62.1%(0.9pp higher)
GB: 61.9%(1.1pp higher)

Population change (5yr)

10.6%

England: 11.5%(0.9pp lower)
GB: 10.3%

Country averages computed from local authority-level data (England: 294 LAs, GB: 348 LAs). May differ slightly from official published national statistics.