Smethurst Lane is in Wigan and in Wigan district. WN5 8BL is located in the Pemberton electoral ward, within the English Parliamentary constituency of Wigan. This postcode has been in use since 1980-01-01.
StreetScan combines information about Smethurst Lane, Wigan, WN5 8BL and displays a report on the quality of life in this place and its surroundings.
Nearby postcodes are: WN5 8DT, WN5 8BJ, WN5 8BN, WN5 8JY, WN5 8BG, WN5 8BH, WN5 8BP, WN5 8BX, WN5 8EA.
In the UK, the overall gender distribution is approximately 49% male and 51% female. However, the area surrounding WN5 8BL, has a female population slightly higher than UK average, with 55.6% of residents being female. Several factors can contribute to this. Women generally live longer than men, resulting in a higher proportion of women in neighborhoods with significant elderly populations. Typically, as people grow older, they tend to relocate from city center addresses to suburban areas, smaller towns, and rural locations. Consequently, these areas often have a higher number of females. A higher female population can also be found in areas with industries that employ more women, such as healthcare, education, and retail.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Female | 49.8% | 55.6% | 5.8% | 51.0% | 4.6% |
| Male | 50.2% | 44.4% | -5.8% | 49.0% | -4.6% |
Across the UK, the average relationship status breakdown is roughly 44% married, 38% single, 9% divorced, 6% widowed, and 2% separated.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single | 38.3% | 39.2% | 0.9% | 37.9% | 1.3% |
| Married: Opposite sex | 30.2% | 27.8% | -2.4% | 44.2% | -16.4% |
| Civil partnership: Opposite sex | 0% | 0.7% | 0.7% | 0.1% | 0.6% |
| Separated | 4% | 2% | -2.0% | 2.2% | -0.2% |
| Divorced | 16.5% | 16.3% | -0.2% | 9.1% | 7.2% |
| Widowed | 10.9% | 14.1% | 3.2% | 6.1% | 8.0% |
Across the UK, the average 48.4% rated their health as Very Good, 33.6% as Good, 12.7% as Fair, 4% as Bad, and 1.2% as Very Bad.
Population age significantly impacts residents' health. Additionally, socioeconomic status plays a crucial role: higher income levels and lower poverty rates are linked to better health outcomes. Affluent areas benefit from higher living standards, access to private healthcare, and healthier lifestyle choices.
This area has a lower percentage of residents reporting their health as Good or Very Good (66.8%) compared to the average (82%). This typically indicates either an older population or social deprivation in the area.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Very good health | 40.3% | 34.7% | -5.6% | 48.4% | -13.7% |
| Good health | 30.5% | 32.1% | 1.6% | 33.6% | -1.5% |
| Fair health | 20% | 24.4% | 4.4% | 12.7% | 11.7% |
| Bad health | 8.2% | 5.8% | -2.4% | 4.0% | 1.8% |
| Very bad health | 1% | 2.9% | 1.9% | 1.2% | 1.7% |
During the 2021 census, the educational qualifications of residents across the UK were as follows: 18.2% had no qualifications, 9.6% had 1-4 GCSEs, 13.4% had 5 or more GCSEs and 1-2 A/AS Levels, 16.9% had 2 or more A Levels, 33.8% held a degree (or equivalent), and 5.4% had completed an apprenticeship.
In the area around WN5 8BL this area, 43.5% of residents have no qualifications. This is significantly higher than the UK average of 18.2%. This area stands out for its low percentage of residents with higher education degree. The UK average is 33.8%, while in this area it is 8.2%.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No qualifications | 35.9% | 43.5% | 7.6% | 18.2% | 25.3% |
| 1-4 GCSEs or Equivalent | 17.7% | 11.8% | -5.9% | 9.6% | 2.2% |
| 5 or more GCSEs, an A-Level or 1-2 AS Levels | 21% | 13.7% | -7.3% | 13.4% | 0.3% |
| Apprenticeship | 4.4% | 7.2% | 2.8% | 5.3% | 1.9% |
| HNC, HND or 2+ A Levels | 8.9% | 14.4% | 5.5% | 16.9% | -2.5% |
| Degree or Similar | 8.9% | 8.2% | -0.7% | 33.8% | -25.6% |
| Other | 3.2% | 1.3% | -1.9% | 2.8% | -1.5% |
In this area, the population is predominantly white, with 97.1% identifying as such, significantly higher than the UK average of 81.4%. This indicates a lower level of ethnic diversity compared to the broader UK population.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black African | 0% | 1.3% | 1.3% | 2.5% | -1.2% |
| Other Black | 0% | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.5% | -0.2% |
| Mixed White and Asian | 0% | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.8% | -0.5% |
| Mixed Other | 0.3% | 0.8% | 0.5% | 0.8% | 0.0% |
| White | 99.7% | 97.1% | -2.6% | 81.4% | 15.7% |
| Roma | 0% | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.1% |
In this area, 97.3% of the population were born in the United Kingdom, which is higher than the UK average of 83.2%.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 99.7% | 97.3% | -2.4% | 83.2% | 14.1% |
| European Union | 0.3% | 1.9% | 1.6% | 6.1% | -4.2% |
| Africa | 0% | 0.8% | 0.8% | 2.7% | -1.9% |
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born in the UK | 99.3% | 97.1% | -2.2% | 83.2% | 13.9% |
| 10+ Years | 0% | 2.1% | 2.1% | 9.8% | -7.7% |
| 5-10 Years | 0.3% | 0.8% | 0.5% | 2.9% | -2.1% |
| Less than 2 years | 0.3% | 0% | -0.3% | 1.9% | -1.9% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 66.6% | 76.7% | -10.1% |
| Portugal | 0.5% | 0.5% | 0.0% |
| Poland | 0.3% | 1.3% | -1.0% |
| Romania | 0.8% | 0.9% | -0.1% |
| Central and Western Africa | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.0% |
| No passport held | 31.6% | 13.5% | 18.1% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No religion | 30.9% | 37.2% | -6.3% |
| Christian | 65.1% | 46.2% | 18.9% |
| Not answered | 4% | 6.0% | -2.0% |
Over the last 12 months, the overall crime rate around Smethurst Lane was 0.0 per 1,000 residents, matching the Douglas average.
Violent and sexual offences accounted for a small share of all recorded crimes and have been falling year on year. Over the last decade, overall crime has fallen by about -14.0%.

Households in this area have a lower level of wealth compared to the average household in England and Wales. 86% of analyzed areas in England and Wales have higher average household annual income than this area.

| Address | Sale Price | Sale Date | Price Estimate 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 87 Smethurst Lane, Wigan, Greater Manchester Semi-Detached, an established residential building | £155,000 | 2024-09-16 | £165,025 |
| 67 Smethurst Lane, Wigan, Greater Manchester Terraced, an established residential building | £110,000 | 2024-03-26 | £120,954 |
| 73 Smethurst Lane, Wigan, Greater Manchester Terraced, an established residential building | £150,000 | 2022-08-19 | £162,910 |
| 71 Smethurst Lane, Wigan, Greater Manchester Terraced, an established residential building | £168,500 | 2022-05-27 | £193,092 |
| 99 Smethurst Lane, Wigan, Greater Manchester Semi-Detached, an established residential building | £82,500 | 2020-09-17 | £116,766 |
WN5 8BL area has a low unemployment rate. According to Census 2021, 1% residents of this area were unemployed, while the average in the UK was 4.83%. A low level of unemployment in an area indicates a strong job market, where most people who are seeking work can find employment. This generally reflects a healthy economy in the area.
| Full-Time Employee | 89 |
| Retired | 59 |
| Other | 50 |
| Part-Time Employee | 34 |
| Self-Employed | 23 |
| Long-Term Sick or disabled | 21 |
| Looking after home or family | 12 |
| Student (economically inactive) | 8 |
| Full-Time Student (with or without job) | 4 |
| Unemployed | 4 |
| Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motor cycles | 32 |
| Human health and social work activities | 18 |
| Manufacturing | 17 |
| Transport and storage | 14 |
| Construction | 12 |
| Accommodation and food service activities | 10 |
| Administrative and support service activities | 10 |
| Public administration and defence; compulsory social security | 5 |
| Education | 5 |
| Other | 3 |
| Professional, scientific and technical activities | 3 |
| Information and communication | 2 |
| Real estate activities | 1 |
| Financial and insurance activities | 1 |
| Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply | 1 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Douglas Valley Nursery School Turner Street , Off Greenough Street WN1 3SU | 4out of 4 | 4,557 yd | Local authority nursery school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St John's CofE Primary School Church Street , Pemberton WN5 0DT | 3out of 4 | 569 yd | Voluntary aided school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Highfield St Matthew's Church of England Primary School Billinge Road , Pemberton WN3 6BL | 2out of 4 | 789 yd | Academy converter | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Orrell Lamberhead Green Academy Kershaw Street , Orrell WN5 0AW | 4out of 4 | 862 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| St Cuthbert's Catholic Primary School Wigan Thorburn Road , Norley Hall WN5 9LW | 3out of 4 | 908 yd | Voluntary aided school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Westfield Community School Montrose Avenue , Pemberton WN5 9XN | 4out of 4 | 1,268 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dean Trust Wigan , Greenhey WN5 0DQ | 2out of 4 | 1,038 yd | Academy sponsor led | No | Mixed | More About School |
| St Peter's Catholic High School Howards Lane , Orrell WN5 8NU | 3out of 4 | 1,692 yd | Voluntary aided school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Up Holland High School Sandbrook Road , Orrell WN5 7AL | 3out of 4 | 2,787 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Hawkley Hall High School Carr Lane , Hawkley Hall WN3 5NY | 3out of 4 | 3,499 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| The Deanery Church of England High School and Sixth Form College Frog Lane , WN1 1HQ | 3out of 4 | 3,575 yd | Voluntary aided school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winstanley College Winstanley Road , Billinge WN5 7XF | - not rated | 1,968 yd | Further education | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| St John Rigby RC Sixth Form College Gathurst Road , Orrell WN5 0LJ | - not rated | 2,777 yd | Further education | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Wigan and Leigh College PO Box 53 , Parson's Walk WN1 1RS | - not rated | 3,709 yd | Further education | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TMP Studios CIC 830 Ormskirk Road , Pemberton WN5 8EX | - not rated | 481 yd | Special post 16 institution | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Expanse Learning Wigan School Tyrer Avenue , Worsley Mesnes WN3 5XE | - not rated | 2,052 yd | Other independent special school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Hope School Kelvin Grove , Marus Bridge WN3 6SP | 4out of 4 | 2,327 yd | Community special school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Landgate School, Bryn Landgate Lane , Ashton-in-Makerfield WN4 0EP | 3out of 4 | 3,899 yd | Community special school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Progress Schools Wigan Wigan Youth Zone , Parsons Walk WN1 1RU | - not rated | 3,904 yd | Other independent school | No | Mixed | More About School |
School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| CK Bakes | 41 Smethurst Lane, Norley | 174 yd | |
| Jigsaws Adventure Play Ltd | 2a Worsley Street, Wigan | 249 yd | |
| Head Salon & Cafe | 734 Ormskirk Road, Wigan | 308 yd | |
| Rocco's Desserts | 691 Ormskirk Road, Wigan | 380 yd | |
| Hollies Bakes N Treats | 4 Barton Street, Pemberton | 467 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pemberton Masonic Club | Chapel Street, Pemberton | 458 yd | |
| Number 15 | 739 Ormskirk Road, Wigan | 461 yd | |
| Lamberhead Green WM Club | White Street, Pemberton | 551 yd | |
| Pemberton Conservative Club | Park Road, Orrell | 653 yd | |
| Highfield Cricket Club | Billinge Road, Wigan | 680 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pem Butty Box | 1 Smethurst Lane, Pemberton | 174 yd | |
| Pemberton Fish Bar | 613 Ormskirk Road, Pemberton | 343 yd | |
| Icebreaker | 717 Ormskirk Road, Wigan | 380 yd | |
| Ajanta Indian Cuisine | 717 Ormskirk Road, Wigan | 380 yd | |
| BurgHouse | 717 Ormskirk Road, Wigan | 380 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lidl Pemberton | 2 Chatsworth Street, Wigan | 284 yd | |
| Tesco Express | 751 Ormskirk Road, Pemberton | 487 yd | |
| Budget Buddy | 12-14 Bulteel Street, Wigan | 1,066 yd |
| Facility Name | Sport Objects | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Highfield St. Matthews Primary School Billinge Road | grass pitches | 628 yd |
| Highfield Cricket Club Billinge Road | grass pitches | 645 yd |
| Bankes Avenue Playing Fields BANKES AVENUE | grass pitches | 860 yd |
| Gossips Playing Field (Closed) Kershaw Street | grass pitches | 918 yd |
| Orrell Lamberhead Green Community Primary School KERSHAW STREET | grass pitches | 926 yd |
This statistics are based on Active Places Data - Contains Data © Sport England
| Percentage of premises that have Superfast Broadband (30Mbit/s or greater) coverage from fixed broadband | 100.0% |
| Percentage of premises that have Ultrafast Broadband (100Mbit/s or greater) coverage from fixed broadband | 100.0% |
| Percentage of premises that have Ultrafast Broadband (300Mbit/s or greater) coverage from fixed broadband | 100.0% |
| Percentage of premises that have coverage from a Gigabit capable service from fixed broadband | 100.0% |
| Percentage of premises unable to receive 2Mbit/s | 0.0% |
| Percentage of premises unable to receive 5Mbit/s | 0.0% |
| Percentage of premises unable to receive 10Mbit/s | 0.0% |
| Percentage of premises unable to receive 30Mbit/s | 0.0% |
| Median download speed | 48.1 Mbit/s |
| Average download speed | 133.6 Mbit/s |
| Minimum download speed | 500 Mbit/s |
| Maximum download speed | 500 Mbit/s |
| Median upload speed | 10 Mbit/s |
| Average upload speed | 14.2 Mbit/s |
| Maximum upload speed | 35 Mbit/s |
Broadband statistics are based on Ofcom's Communications Market Report (CMR) 2022.