Wigan
Old buildings on the side of the Leeds/ Liverpool Canal as the morning sun rises. Wigan Pier
Wigan (WN) Postcode Area
Wigan: Industrial town, historic market, green spaces, strong community spirit, and a proud sporting heritage. A town with a rich industrial past and a vibrant present in Greater Manchester.
Wigan Postcode Area includes:
Wigan, Leigh, Skelmersdale.
Discover everything you need to know about Wigan 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 Wigan (WN), 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
Curious about the key industries shaping the Wigan area? Below, you'll find the four most prevalent sectors that drive the local economy, offering insight into the businesses and services that make the area unique and vibrant.
Construction
Wigan 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 Wigan 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 Wigan area is pretty active and could be on the up.
Professional & Scientific
Wigan 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 Wigan 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
Wigan 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 Wigan, 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 WN 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 Wigan 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
Wigan WN, part of the ceremonial county of Greater Manchester in England, presents a substantial geographical area with 8 outward codes (the first half of a postcode, e.g. WN 1AA). Its population stands at 316,899 individuals, reflecting a density of 2,029 people per square kilometre. The average household income here is £39,618 , which is 13.2% higher than the average UK median household income (£35,000), indicating a stable economic profile within the region.
Postcode Area
Wigan
Total Outward Codes
Postcodes
Population
People
Population Density
People/km2
Average Income
Per household
What's Wigan like to live and work in?
Old buildings on the side of the Leeds/ Liverpool Canal as the morning sun rises. Wigan Pier
Adobe Stock
Wigan, located in Greater Manchester, England, has a population of around 103,000 and is known for its rich industrial heritage and vibrant community.
The town boasts good transport links, including the M6 and M61 motorways, and two main railway stations, Wigan North Western and Wigan Wallgate, providing direct services to Manchester, Liverpool, and London. Wigan's demographics are diverse, with a mix of families, professionals, and retirees.
Housing in Wigan varies from modern apartments and new developments to traditional terraced houses and Victorian homes.
The town offers a range of amenities, including the Grand Arcade shopping centre, numerous restaurants, and cultural venues like The Old Courts arts centre and Wigan Little Theatre. Outdoor spaces such as Haigh Woodland Park provide recreational opportunities.
This page contains a list of postcode districts for Wigan area. Select a postcode to see the map location, demographics, house prices, local information, tourist guides and statistics:
Wigan (WN) Postcode Districts
Greater Manchester
The wider county
Far more than the (admittedly great) Manchester city at its heart, Greater Manchester could stake a good claim to be the most fascinating region in the north west. It is a metropolitan county with a population of over 2.7 million and is one of the largest metropolitan areas in Britain, made up of Wigan, Trafford, Tameside, Stockport, Rochdale, Oldham, Bury and Bolton.
Spanning 496 square miles it is bordered by Merseyside to the west, Lancashire to the north, Yorkshire to the northeast, Derbyshire to the south-east and Cheshire to the south.
Read more about Greater Manchester
Local Transport
Transport in the WN Postal Area
The WN postal area, covering Wigan and its surroundings, offers a variety of transport options to suit all needs. For those who rely on public transport, the rail network is robust, with regular services connecting to Manchester, Liverpool, and beyond via Wigan North Western and Wigan Wallgate stations.
For air travel, Manchester Airport is conveniently accessible, just a short drive or train journey away, offering both domestic and international flights.
Commuting by car is made easy with the M6 motorway running close by, providing seamless connectivity to other parts of the country. Additional road links, including the A49 and A577, ensure convenient local travel.
Bus services are comprehensive, with frequent routes covering Wigan town centre and neighbouring areas, offering a cost-effective and efficient way to get around.
Train Stations
The following railway stations are within the WN postcode region:
Appley Bridge Railway Station
Bryn Railway Station
Garswood Railway Station
Gathurst Railway Station
Hindley Railway Station
Ince Railway Station
Orrell Railway Station
Parbold Railway Station
Pemberton Railway Station
Upholland Railway Station
Wigan North Western Railway Station
Wigan Wallgate Railway Station
Local Authorities
WN 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 WN postcode area includes the following local authorities:
Bolton
Bolton Council is active in urban regeneration and community development, providing extensive public services that focus on enhancing educational opportunities and supporting local economic growth.
Chorley
Chorley Council focuses on enhancing local amenities and community well-being through strategic planning and robust economic development initiatives.
St. Helens
St. Helens Council is proactive in promoting local economic development and community welfare, focusing on revitalisation of town centres and public spaces to enhance living standards and economic prospects.
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 Wigan (WN) 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 Wigan (WN) 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 £2,963 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 WN
As rated by Ofsted
- Woodfield Primary School
Wigan Lane, Wigan, WN1 2NT
Primary School (4-11)Outstanding - Winstanley Community Primary School
Tan House Drive, Wigan, WN3 6JP
Primary School (3-11)Outstanding - Orrell Newfold Community Primary School
St James Road, Wigan, WN5 7BD
Primary School (3-11)Outstanding - Wood Fold Primary School
Green Lane, Wigan, WN6 0TS
Primary School (4-11)Outstanding - Nicol Mere School
Roman Road, Wigan, WN4 8DF
Primary School (4-11)Outstanding - St Mary and St John Catholic Primary School
Standishgate, Wigan, WN1 1XL
Primary School (4-11)Outstanding - St Patrick's Catholic Primary School
Hardybutts, Wigan, WN1 3RZ
Primary School (3-11)Outstanding - St Aidan's Catholic Primary School, Wigan
Holmes House Avenue, Wigan, WN3 6EE
Primary School (3-11)Outstanding - Kingsbury Primary Special School
School Lane, Skelmersdale, WN8 8EH
Primary School (2-11)Outstanding - Newburgh Church of England Primary School
Back Lane, Wigan, WN8 7XB
Primary School (4-11)Outstanding
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