Town Pop. 13,625

Living in Heckmondwike: Liveability Score 64/100

Last updated 7 August 2026

Our overall score for Heckmondwike is 64/100, built from 9 categories. Its biggest lead over the typical UK town is healthcare: 83/100 against a national town median of 18/100. Safety falls furthest short: 38/100 where the typical UK town reaches 88/100.

That is 14 points above the national benchmark of 50, the top 5% of all UK towns and villages. Transport (82) and broadband (81) also clear 80/100. Wider context for the surrounding area: WF13 postcode district.

OUT OF 100

Average

Score for:

Settlement area

The built-up area boundary and the postcodes its score is averaged from, each shaded by its own score. Clustered pins are other settlements. Tap one to view or compare it, or zoom in to reveal more.

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Each postcode is coloured by its own overall score on the default weighting. Scores are filled in as postcodes get searched on the site, so a blue dot just means that postcode hasn't been scored yet.

Heckmondwike scores 64 but individual postcodes tell the full story

See the exact score for any postcode, side by side with Heckmondwike.

Or compare:

WF13 1AA WF13 2AA WF13 3AB WF13 4AA WF13 9AJ WF13 WF15 WF16 WF17

Score breakdown

Safety & Environment

Safety

176.7 crimes per 1,000 residents · last 12 months Above the England & Wales average of 94.3

Crime rate vs national average · last 12 months

Violence and sexual offences 1,055 crimes

↑ 132% above national average

Anti-social behaviour 269 crimes

↑ 30% above national average

Public order 209 crimes

↑ 135% above national average

Criminal damage and arson 179 crimes

↑ 93% above national average

Other theft 169 crimes

↑ 100% above national average

other 526 crimes

Highest-crime locations

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1 Queen Street 166 crimes
2 Market Street 54 crimes
3 B6117 42 crimes

Source: data.police.uk · England & Wales only

Environment

Air Quality NO₂ 13 · PM2.5 7.5 · PM10 11.6 µg/m³

Green Space 47

Parks Ample 26

Sports Pitches Ample 6

Allotments Adequate 2

Golf Courses None

Tennis Courts Some 2

Bowling Greens Adequate 3

Playgrounds Ample 11

Services

Schools

Top 10 by Ofsted rating · 14 in area · 61 within 4km

1Outstanding8Good1Requires Improvement1Inadequate3Ungraded

Ethos CollegeAlternative provision · inspected 2023
Outstanding
Fairfield SchoolSpecial · inspected 2022
Good
Healey Junior Infant and Nursery SchoolPrimary · inspected 2022
Good
Heckmondwike Grammar SchoolSecondary · inspected 2022
Good
Holy Spirit Catholic Primary AcademyPrimary · inspected 2022
Good
Millbridge, A Share Primary AcademyPrimary · inspected 2021
Good
Norristhorpe Junior and Infant SchoolPrimary · inspected 2024
Good
Staincliffe Church of England Voluntary Controlled Junior SchoolPrimary · inspected 2023
Good
Westmoor Primary SchoolPrimary · inspected 2024
Good
Co-op Academy Smithies MoorPrimary · inspected 2024
Requires Improvement

Ungraded: inspected, but Ofsted no longer issues a single overall grade (since Sept 2024).

Score reflects proximity-weighted access to rated schools within 4km: areas with more nearby schools score higher regardless of settlement boundary.

Healthcare

A&E departmentsDewsbury & District Hospital0.4 mi

Huddersfield Royal Infirmary6.5 mi

Pinderfields Hospital7 mi

Hospital waitsLeeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust0.2 mi

Routine referral (median)10 wks

Treated within 18 weeks67.2%

A&E seen within 4 hrs78.3%

3 GP surgeries in area 23 within 4km best 'Good'

GP capacity2,946 patients per GP

3dentists4pharmacies

Score reflects proximity to CQC-rated GP surgeries and hospitals, not facility count. Dentists and pharmacies are shown for context but don't affect the score.

Broadband

Full fibre (FTTP)92.4%

available across Kirklees

Gigabit-capable · incl. cable

98.2%

Ultrafast (300+ Mbps)

98.2%

Superfast (30+ Mbps)

99.7%

Ofcom Connected Nations · 324 postcodes · full fibre at local-authority level

Economy & Bills

Economic Health

Employment rate55%

Below the Great Britain average of 57.3% of residents aged 16+

Economic activity (16+)

Employed55%Unemployed3.5%Retired18.8%Student5.5%Other inactive17.2%

Occupation mix

Professional & managerial29.8%Skilled & technical34.3%Routine & elementary35.8%

Highest qualification (16+)

No qualifications25.9%Level 1 (1–4 GCSEs)11.2%Level 2 (5+ GCSEs)14.3%Level 3 (A levels)16.9%Level 4+ (degree & above)23.1%Apprenticeship5.8%Other (incl. vocational)2.8%

Home ownership66.3%

Among the most-deprived 29% of areas in England

Census 2021/22 (Great Britain) · deprivation: IoD 2025 / SIMD

Bills

Council tax Kirklees · 2026-27

A £1,627

B £1,899

C £2,170

D £2,441

E £2,983

F £3,526

G £4,068

H £4,882

Energy Yorkshire region

Typical bill regional £1,641/yr

Ofgem price cap, GB average · Apr–Jun 2026

Typical home efficiency local EPC band D

Water Yorkshire Water

Average bill regional £437/yr

Combined water & sewerage · GB average £520

Transport

Dewsbury 1.9 mi

Batley 1.9 mi

Ravensthorpe 2.4 mi

J27 M62 2.7 mi

J26 M62 2.9 mi

J27 M62 3 mi

Lifestyle

Pubs & Bars Adequate 8

Restaurants & Cafes Some 3

Supermarkets & Convenience Adequate 4

Retail Shopping Ample 36

Takeaways Ample 11

Fitness None

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House Prices

Current median sale prices · last 12 months · England & Wales only

Type	Median price	Sales
All dwellings	£185,000	59
Detached	£258,500	12
Semi-detached	£202,500	26
Terraced	£145,000	20

5-year monthly trend

All Detached Semi Terraced

Source: HM Land Registry Price Paid Data (OGL v3.0)

Frequently asked questions

Is Heckmondwike a nice place to live?

Heckmondwike is a decent place to live for many people. Our liveability score for Heckmondwike is 64/100, placing it among an average areas in the UK across nine categories: safety, schools, healthcare, environment, transport, broadband, lifestyle, economic health, and bills.

How safe is Heckmondwike?

Heckmondwike has above-average crime levels. Our safety score is 38/100. There were 2,407 crimes recorded in the area over the past 12 months.

What are the best schools in Heckmondwike?

Among the top-rated schools in Heckmondwike are Ethos College, Fairfield School and Healey Junior Infant and Nursery School, rated Outstanding by Ofsted. There are 14 rated schools in Heckmondwike in total.

What are house prices like in Heckmondwike?

The current median house price in Heckmondwike is £185,000, around 35% below the England and Wales average. By property type: detached £258,500, semi-detached £202,500, terraced £145,000. Over the past five years, prices have risen by around 30%. There were 59 sales recorded in the past 12 months.