Blackrod vs Heywood
Which is better to live in? Distance: 14.6 miles apart.
The verdict
Blackrod is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 38% lower. Blackrod has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Blackrod edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Blackrod
£218,151
Heywood
£353,345
Crime Rate
Blackrod
98.7
Heywood
105.4
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Blackrod
100.0%
Heywood
90.9%
Avg Download Speed
Blackrod
430.5
Heywood
451.7
EPC Rating
Blackrod
72.2
Heywood
71.9
Median Income
Blackrod
£30,334
Heywood
£28,946
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in North WestProperty in Heywood commands an average of £353,345, compared with £218,151 in Blackrod – a difference of 38%. The most affordable entry point in Blackrod is a flat at £132,500, while in Heywood it is a flat at £139,380.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: detached homes are 10% pricier in Heywood (£365,155 vs £329,077).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Heywood prices grew faster — 197% vs 47%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in North WestBlackrod has a crime rate of 98.7 per 1,000 residents, which is 7% lower than Heywood at 105.4 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Blackrod is violent-crime, while in Heywood 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 WestFamilies may prefer Blackrod, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 90.9% in Heywood. There are 2 schools in Blackrod and 12 in Heywood.
Blackrod School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (2 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Heywood School Inspection Breakdown
90.9% of 12 schools (10 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Blackrod | Heywood |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 2 | 12 |
| Primary | 2 | 10 |
| Secondary | 0 | 2 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 90.9% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 451.7 Mbps in Heywood and 430.5 Mbps in Blackrod. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 94.3% of premises in Blackrod and 96% in Heywood. Gigabit availability stands at 83.4% in Blackrod and 87.6% in Heywood.
Heywood is the faster of the two by 5% on average download speed (452 vs 431 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Blackrod leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 72.2 (C), while Heywood averages 71.9 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,110 in Blackrod and £1,138 in Heywood. 69.6% of homes in Blackrod have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 71.3% in Heywood.
Heywood has more energy-efficient housing — 71.3% reach band C or above, vs 69.6% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £30,333.5 in Blackrod and £28,946 in Heywood. The median age is 42.5 in Blackrod and 40.3 in Heywood. Owner-occupancy is 66.8% in Blackrod versus 60.3% in Heywood. Employment rates stand at 56.7% in Blackrod and 54% in Heywood.
| Indicator | Blackrod | Heywood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,340 | 29,724 |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 40.3 |
| Median Household Income | £30,333.5 | £28,946 |
| Employment Rate | 56.7% | 54% |
| Owner Occupied | 66.8% | 60.3% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 30.6% | 26.4% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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