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Postcode sector · Bolton

BL3 2 area guide

Who lives in BL3 2, what homes sell for, and how it compares on crime, schools and transport.

Council
Bolton
Region
North West
Population
23,489 (2024)
At a glance

What BL3 2 is like

The BL3 2 postcode sector in Bolton covers 214 live postcodes and is home to about 23,489 people across 11 census neighbourhoods. 46.1% of households own their home, 28% rent privately and 24.7% are in social housing. The biggest age group is 0–4, and 46.7% of adults are in work. It ranks among the more deprived parts of England. Higher-harm crime is in the top bands nationally. Homes in BL3 2 sold for a median of £155,000 over the year to August 2026.

Scores

How BL3 2 compares

Each figure is set against England as a whole. Follow a score for the detail behind it.

AffluenceMore
2.0/ 10

More deprived than most — decile 1 is the most deprived tenth of England, 10 the least.

CrimeMore
9/ 10

Higher than most — 41.4 higher-harm crimes per 1,000 people a year vs 31.3 nationally.

House pricesMore
£155,000

Median over 55 sales in BL3 2, +3.3% on the year before.

TransportMore
7.0/ 10

Very good — 2 stations within a mile, 42 bus stops within 800m.

SchoolsMore
86%

of 7 rated schools in BL3 2 are good or better.

Household incomeMore
£37,445

Average a year, before tax — higher than 5% of neighbourhoods in England and Wales.

What stands out

Worth knowing before you invest

Only flagged where this area is materially different from the national picture.

  1. 01
    A student area

    12.3% of adults are full-time students, against 7.9% across England. Expect HMO demand and term-time turnover.

  2. 02
    Higher crime than mostLook closer

    41.4 higher-harm crimes per 1,000 people a year, against 31.3 across England and Wales.

  3. 03
    A young populationPositive

    22.9% of residents are 20 to 34 — the age group that rents most — against 19.6% across England.

  4. 04
    More deprived than mostLook closer

    On the English Indices of Deprivation 2025 it averages decile 2.0 of 10. Yields can be higher, but check tenant demand street by street.

  5. 05
    A big private rental marketPositive

    28% of households rent privately, against 20.5% across England. Tenant demand is established here.

Questions

BL3 2 FAQs

01
Is BL3 2 a good place to live?

Deprivation, crime, schools and transport at a glance.

On the English Indices of Deprivation 2025 it averages decile 2.0 of 10, where 10 is the least deprived tenth of England. Higher-harm crime runs at 41.4 per 1,000 people a year, band 9 of 10 nationally. 86% of the inspected schools nearby are rated good or better. Transport connectivity scores 7.0 out of 10 (very good).
02
How much does a house cost in BL3 2?

The median sale price over the last year was £155,000.

Homes in BL3 2 sold for a median of £155,000 across 55 sales in the year to August 2026, +3.3% on the year before. Prices come from HM Land Registry's record of every residential sale.
03
Is BL3 2 safe?

How crime here compares with the rest of the country.

Higher-harm crime — violence, robbery, burglary, vehicle crime and weapons offences — runs at 41.4 offences per 1,000 people a year around BL3 2, above the 31.3 average across England and Wales, band 9 of 10.
04
Who lives in BL3 2?

Age, home ownership and housing from the census.

The biggest age group is 0–4, at 8.8% of residents. 46.1% of households own their home. The most common home is semi-detached (35.1%).
05
Which council covers BL3 2?

BL3 2 is in Bolton.

BL3 2 is in Bolton, in North West. Council tax, planning applications and bin collections are handled there.
06
How well connected is BL3 2?

Connectivity scores 7.0 out of 10.

There are 42 bus stops within 800m and 2 stations and tram stops within a mile, scoring 7.0 out of 10 (very good). The nearest station is Moses Gate Rail Station, 0.8 miles away.

Sources: Census 2021 (ONS); ONS mid-year population estimates; police recorded crime; the English, Welsh and Scottish indices of deprivation; ONS small area income estimates; ONS private rents; DfE, Welsh and Scottish school registers and Ofsted; DfT NaPTAN; ORR estimates of station usage; HM Land Registry Price Paid Data. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right.

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