Rochdale
Economic profile. Data last updated 2026-03-28.
Rochdale supports 89,130 workplace jobs with median earnings 11% below the England average. Productivity (GVA per job) is ranked 281st 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 235,561. Population has grown by 11.8% over five years.
Source: ONS Mid-Year Population Estimates, Census 2021, 2024·Last updated March 2026
Earnings & Income
Gross annual earnings distribution, 2025.
Median annual earnings of £29,535 are below the England median of £33,080.
Gender Pay Gap
The gender pay gap is 27.7% (male median £34,972, female median £25,269).
Source: ASHE via Nomis, 2025·Last updated March 2026
Industry Structure
Location quotients and shift-share analysis for Rochdale's economy.
The most specialised sectors are Manufacturing (LQ 1.45) and Wholesale & retail trade (LQ 1.43). Human health & social work shows the strongest local competitive advantage. Manufacturing underperforms its national sectoral trend.
Source: BRES via Nomis, 2020-2024·Last updated March 2026
Housing & Property Market
Estimated house prices for Rochdale vs England, 2015-2025.
The median house price of £245,976 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 Rochdale to England and Great Britain averages.
Rochdale's median earnings of £29,535 are 10% below the England average of £32,909. House prices are 10% below the England median. The claimant rate of 6.0% 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.