Wakefield
Aerial photo of the village centre of Castleford in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England showing the main street along side the River Aire
Wakefield (WF) Postcode Area
Wakefield: Historic cathedral city, medieval architecture, scenic riverside, vibrant arts scene, and a strong community spirit. A city with a rich cultural heritage and picturesque surroundings in West Yorkshire.
Wakefield Postcode Area includes:
Wakefield, Ossett, Normanton, Pontefract, Castleford, Knottingley, Dewsbury, Mirfield, Liversedge, Heckmondwike, Batley.
Discover everything you need to know about Wakefield with PostcodeArea. Scroll down to uncover demographics, property prices, crime stats, amenities and more.
Most Desirable Postcodes
Here are the top 10 most desirable postcode areas in Wakefield (WF), based on a unique scoring system that weighs key factors like safety, schools, diversity, and affordability.
Whether you're a renter, homebuyer, or property investor, this tool lets you customise the score to focus on what matters most to you, helping you make smarter, data-driven decisions.
How are Desirability Scores calculated?
Our custom algorithm calculates a unique "Desirability Score" for any UK postcode by analysing a range of factors - including Census 2021 data, third-party insights, and socio-economic knowledge, to provide a tailored rating.
Explain more
Primary Industries
The local economy at a glance! Here are the four most common industries in Wakefield, revealing what fuels growth and opportunity in the postcode area.
Construction
Wakefield has a strong presence of construction businesses, which usually means there's a lot of building going on - whether it's new homes, commercial spaces, or infrastructure. This can be a good sign that the Wakefield area is growing and attracting investment. It could also mean there's a strong local economy, with plenty of work available for builders and tradespeople. On the flip side, it might suggest there's a fair bit of property in need of repair or updating. Either way, it tells you the Wakefield area is pretty active and could be on the up.
Professional & Scientific
Wakefield has a large proportion of professional and scientific businesses, which makes it a hub for specialised industries like law firms, consulting agencies, tech companies, or research labs. This suggests a high level of expertise and innovation, attracting professionals such as engineers, scientists, lawyers, and consultants. The Wakefield area might have a more polished, business-focused atmosphere, with modern offices and co-working spaces. It's often well-connected, with good transport links and amenities to support a skilled workforce. Property prices could be higher, as these areas tend to attract well-paid professionals. It might not be the most vibrant or social place, but it will have a reputation for being smart, efficient, and future-focused.
Retail
Wakefield area has a large quantity of retail businesses, making it a busy, commercial hub where people go to shop and socialise. High streets, shopping centres, and independent boutiques often thrive in these areas, making it a convenient place for residents and visitors alike. The presence of retail businesses can indicate that the local economy is fairly strong, with plenty of footfall and a demand for goods and services. This kind of area tends to have good transport links and a lively atmosphere, but it can also mean a bit more hustle and bustle, especially during weekends and sales events. If you're living in Wakefield, it's handy for convenience, but it could also bring a lot of traffic and noise during peak shopping hours.
Business Administration
If a postcode area such as WF has a lot of business administration services, such as accounting firms, HR consultancies, and management services, it's likely a centre for corporate and operational support. These businesses help other companies run smoothly, so the area might be more business-centric, attracting professionals like administrators, accountants, and consultants. The local economy could be quite strong, driven by a steady demand for services that keep companies ticking over. It's not necessarily the most exciting or creative environment, but it would be efficient, organised, and perhaps well-connected with reliable transport links. You'd expect to see a lot of office spaces in Wakefield and maybe even shared workspaces catering to small and medium-sized businesses. The area could feel more formal and professional, with less of a residential or leisure focus.
Data showing the activity, size and location is from the Inter Departmental Business Register 2024, produced by the ONS.
Key Statistics
Wakefield WF, part of the ceremonial county of West Yorkshire in England, presents a substantial geographical area with 17 outward codes (the first half of a postcode, e.g. WF 1AA). Its population stands at 549,488 individuals, reflecting a density of 1,911 people per square kilometre. The average household income here is £39,603 , which is 13.2% higher than the average UK median household income (£35,000), indicating a stable economic profile within the region.
Postcode Area
Wakefield
Total Outward Codes
Postcodes
Population
People
Population Density
People/km2
Average Income
Per household
What's Wakefield like to live and work in?
Aerial photo of the village centre of Castleford in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England showing the main street along side the River Aire
Adobe Stock
Wakefield, situated in West Yorkshire, England, has a population of approximately 100,000 and is known for its historical significance and vibrant cultural scene. The city benefits from good transport links, including the M1 and M62 motorways and Wakefield Westgate railway station, offering direct services to London and other major cities.
Wakefield's community includes a mix of families, professionals, and retirees. Housing in Wakefield ranges from modern apartments and new developments to traditional terraced and detached homes.
The city offers a variety of amenities, including the Ridings and Trinity Walk shopping centres, a wide range of restaurants, and cultural venues like The Hepworth Wakefield gallery and Wakefield Theatre Royal.
This page contains a list of postcode districts for Wakefield area. Select a postcode to see the map location, demographics, house prices, local information, tourist guides and statistics:
Wakefield (WF) Postcode Districts
House Prices in Wakefield
How are property price trends?
The ONS (Office for National Statistics) regularly tracks and records average house prices and rents in this area (E08000036). Note that these estimates are based on local authority rather than postcode area. For more information about current house prices, choose an individual postcode below.
Local Transport
Transport in the WF Postal Area
Thinking of moving to the WF postal area? Great choice! Nestled in West Yorkshire, WF is well-connected and offers a variety of transport options to make your commute easy and convenient.
Rail
WF is served by several railway stations, including Wakefield Westgate and Wakefield Kirkgate. These stations offer frequent services to major cities like Leeds, London, and Manchester. Whether you're commuting for work or planning a weekend getaway, the rail network has you covered.
Air
For air travel, Leeds Bradford Airport is the closest, roughly a 40-minute drive from central WF. Offering flights to a range of domestic and international destinations, it makes both business and leisure trips straightforward.
Commuting by Car
The area benefits from excellent road links, with the M1 and M62 motorways providing quick access to major cities like Leeds, Sheffield, and Manchester. Perfect for those who prefer the flexibility of commuting by car.
Buses
Public bus services are robust, operated mainly by Arriva and First West Yorkshire. With routes covering both urban and rural areas, buses offer a reliable way to get around without the need for a car.
Train Stations
The following railway stations are within the WF postcode region:
Batley Railway Station
Castleford Railway Station
Dewsbury Railway Station
Featherstone Railway Station
Fitzwilliam Railway Station
Glasshoughton Railway Station
Knottingley Railway Station
Mirfield Railway Station
Moorthorpe Railway Station
Normanton Railway Station
Outwood Railway Station
Pontefract Baghill Railway Station
Pontefract Monkhill Railway Station
Pontefract Tanshelf Railway Station
Ravensthorpe Railway Station
Sandal And Agbrigg Railway Station
South Elmsall Railway Station
Streethouse Railway Station
Wakefield Kirkgate Railway Station
Wakefield Westgate Railway Station
Local Authorities
WF Postcode area
Local Authorities are government organisations responsible for providing local services and facilities such as education, housing, and social services within a specific area. The WF postcode area includes the following local authorities:
Barnsley
Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council is committed to promoting economic growth and community well-being through strategic planning and the provision of high-quality public services.
Calderdale
Calderdale Council focuses on fostering sustainable development and community welfare, delivering essential public services to enhance the quality of life for its residents.
Doncaster
Doncaster Council focuses on urban regeneration, economic development, and delivering high-quality public services to enhance community welfare and residents' quality of life.
GDP (Gross Domestic Product)
Economic Output
GDP (Gross Domestic Product) measures the total economic output of a country, region, or Local Authority. It tells us how much money is being made within a particular area. This includes everything from a business selling cars or consumers getting their hair cut.
This list of the Local Authorities within the Wakefield (WF) postcode town gives us a snapshot of how much money is being generated at current market prices, based on what people are spending and earning. It's an important way to understand the economic health and activity levels across the UK.
For comparison purposes, we've included the top and bottom two local authorities across the UK in terms of GDP.
Local Authority
GDP (£)
GDP trends over time
The graph below shows the total GDP values for all Local Authorities within the Wakefield (WF) area:
When we talk about GDP at current market prices, we're looking at the total value of all goods and services produced in an area, but the key bit here is "current market prices." This means it includes the value of goods and services as they're bought and sold right now, without adjusting for inflation or changes in prices over time.
So, for example a figure of £1,477 GDP means that, on average, each person within an area contributes this amount to the UK economy each year.
Republished from the ONS regional gross domestic product: local authorities under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Latest available data: April 2022.
Education
Highest Rated Schools in WF
As rated by Ofsted
- Outwood Primary Academy Ledger Lane
Ledger Lane, Wakefield, WF1 2PH
Primary School (3-11)Outstanding - Outwood Primary Academy Lofthouse Gate
Canal Lane, Wakefield, WF3 3HU
Primary School (3-11)Outstanding - Castleford Academy
Ferrybridge Road, Castleford, WF10 4JQ
Secondary School (11-18)Outstanding - Outwood Grange Academy
Potovens Lane, Wakefield, WF1 2PF
Secondary School (11-18)Outstanding - Hall Cliffe Primary School
7 Wrenthorpe Lane, Wakefield, WF2 0QB
Secondary School (5-13)Outstanding - Kingsland Primary School
Aberford Road, Wakefield, WF3 4BA
Primary School (2-11)Outstanding - Oakfield Park School
Barnsley Road, Pontefract, WF7 7DT
Secondary School (11-19)Outstanding - Lee Brigg Infant and Nursery School
Lee Brigg, Normanton, WF6 2LN
Primary School (3-7)Outstanding - Wakefield Snapethorpe Primary School
St George's Road, Wakefield, WF2 8AA
Primary School (3-11)Outstanding - Fairburn Community Primary School
Great North Road, Knottingley, WF11 9JY
Primary School (5-11)Outstanding
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