Postcode district · Bolton

BL4 area guide

Who lives in BL4, what homes sell for, and how it compares on crime, schools and transport.

Council: Bolton
Region: North West
Population: 44,721 (2024)

BL4Postcode district · Bolton

At a glance

What BL4 is like

The BL4 postcode district in Bolton covers 850 live postcodes and is home to about 44,721 people across 26 census neighbourhoods. 57.8% of households own their home, 17.6% rent privately and 23.8% are in social housing. The biggest age group is 30–34, and 54.4% 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 BL4 sold for a median of £182,000 over the year to August 2026.

Scores

How BL4 compares

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

AffluenceMore

2.9/ 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

£182,000

Median over 301 sales in BL4, +1.1% on the year before.

TransportMore

7.0/ 10

Very good — 2 stations within a mile, 68 bus stops within 800m.

SchoolsMore

88%

of 24 rated schools in BL4 are good or better.

Household incomeMore

£40,236

Average a year, before tax — higher than 12% 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.

01
Higher crime than mostLook closer
41.4 higher-harm crimes per 1,000 people a year, against 31.3 across England and Wales.
02
More deprived than mostLook closer
On the English Indices of Deprivation 2025 it averages decile 2.9 of 10. Yields can be higher, but check tenant demand street by street.
03
Well connectedPositive
2 stations within a mile and 68 bus stops within a ten-minute walk.

Questions

BL4 FAQs

Is BL4 a good place to live?

Deprivation, crime, schools and transport at a glance.

On the English Indices of Deprivation 2025 it averages decile 2.9 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. 88% of the inspected schools nearby are rated good or better. Transport connectivity scores 7.0 out of 10 (very good).

How much does a house cost in BL4?

The median sale price over the last year was £182,000.

Homes in BL4 sold for a median of £182,000 across 301 sales in the year to August 2026, +1.1% on the year before. Prices come from HM Land Registry's record of every residential sale.

Is BL4 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 BL4, above the 31.3 average across England and Wales, band 9 of 10.

Who lives in BL4?

Age, home ownership and housing from the census.

The biggest age group is 30–34, at 7.3% of residents. 57.8% of households own their home. The most common home is semi-detached (46.1%).

Which council covers BL4?

BL4 is in Bolton.

BL4 is in Bolton, in North West. Council tax, planning applications and bin collections are handled there.

How well connected is BL4?

Connectivity scores 7.0 out of 10.

There are 68 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 Farnworth Rail Station, 0.6 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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