Oldham
Economic profile. Data last updated 2026-03-28.
Oldham supports 92,380 workplace jobs with median earnings 12% below the England average. Productivity (GVA per job) is ranked 204th 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 251,560. Population has grown by 12.4% over five years, above 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 £29,124 are below the England median of £33,080.
Gender Pay Gap
The gender pay gap is 26.6% (male median £33,539, female median £24,608). 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 Oldham's economy.
The most specialised sectors are Human health & social work (LQ 1.77) and Manufacturing (LQ 1.46). Human health & social work shows the strongest local competitive advantage. Transport & storage underperforms its national sectoral trend.
Source: BRES via Nomis, 2020-2024·Last updated March 2026
Housing & Property Market
Estimated house prices for Oldham vs England, 2015-2025.
The median house price of £242,553 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.
Source: HM Land Registry, Census 2021, 2015-2025·Last updated March 2026
Benchmark to national figures
Comparing Oldham to England and Great Britain averages.
Oldham's median earnings of £29,124 are 12% below the England average of £32,909. House prices are 12% below the England median. The claimant rate of 6.6% is higher 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.