Barnoldswick vs Colne
Which is better to live in? Distance: 4.3 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Colne is about 3% cheaper on average. Barnoldswick has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Barnoldswick edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Barnoldswick
£185,134
Colne
£180,447
Crime Rate
Barnoldswick
27.9
Colne
69.2
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Barnoldswick
80.0%
Colne
75.0%
Avg Download Speed
Barnoldswick
447.3
Colne
311
EPC Rating
Barnoldswick
70
Colne
68.4
Median Income
Barnoldswick
£29,567
Colne
£27,268
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestBuyers will find Colne more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £180,447 versus £185,134 in Barnoldswick. The most affordable entry point in Barnoldswick is a flat at £116,000, while in Colne it is a flat at £120,650.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 11% pricier in Barnoldswick (£148,535 vs £134,318).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Barnoldswick prices grew faster — 30% vs 26%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestWith 27.9 offences per 1,000 people, Barnoldswick is the safer of the two – 148% lower than Colne's 69.2 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Barnoldswick is violent-crime, while in Colne it is violent-crime.
Crime Rate by Category (per 1,000 residents)
Both towns share the same top crime category: violent crime.
Schools & Education
Best for schools in North WestSchool quality favours Barnoldswick: 80% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 75% in Colne.
Barnoldswick School Inspection Breakdown
80% of 5 schools (4 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Colne School Inspection Breakdown
75% of 10 schools (7 primary, 3 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Barnoldswick | Colne |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 5 | 10 |
| Primary | 4 | 7 |
| Secondary | 1 | 3 |
| % Top two bands | 80% | 75% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Barnoldswick enjoy 447.3 Mbps on average, while Colne lags behind at 311.0 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96% of premises in Barnoldswick and 92.1% in Colne. Gigabit availability stands at 87.8% in Barnoldswick and 56.1% in Colne.
Barnoldswick is the faster of the two by 44% on average download speed (447 vs 311 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Barnoldswick is band C (score 70), ahead of Colne's band C (score 68.4). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,427 in Barnoldswick and £1,391 in Colne. 58.8% of homes in Barnoldswick have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 53.3% in Colne.
Barnoldswick has more energy-efficient housing — 58.8% reach band C or above, vs 53.3% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Barnoldswick has a population of 10,591 while Colne has 18,914. Median household income is £29,566.6 in Barnoldswick and £27,268 in Colne. The median age is 47.3 in Barnoldswick and 41.4 in Colne. Employment rates stand at 56.4% in Barnoldswick and 52.7% in Colne.
| Indicator | Barnoldswick | Colne |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,591 | 18,914 |
| Median Age | 47.3 | 41.4 |
| Median Household Income | £29,566.6 | £27,268 |
| Employment Rate | 56.4% | 52.7% |
| Owner Occupied | 67.9% | 65% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 33.1% | 25.4% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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