Town Pop. 4,730

Living in Whaley Bridge: Liveability Score 59/100

Last updated 7 August 2026

Whaley Bridge scores 59/100 overall, across 9 scored categories. Its biggest lead over the typical UK town is lifestyle: 58/100 against a national town median of 21/100. No other settlement in the SK23 postcode district scores higher. Whaley Bridge leads all 4.

Against the wider SK23 district average of 50/100, that is 9 points above. On lifestyle specifically, Whaley Bridge sits 19 points above the SK23 district figure of 39/100. That sits 9 points above the UK-wide average of 50, putting it in the top 10% of the towns and villages we score. For the surrounding area, see SK23 postcode district.

59
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.

Whaley Bridge scores 59 but individual postcodes tell the full story

See the exact score for any postcode, side by side with Whaley Bridge.
Or compare:
SK23 0BA SK23 6AA SK23 7AA SK23 9AA SK23

Score breakdown

Safety & Environment

Safety
86
67.4 crimes per 1,000 residents · last 12 months Below the England & Wales average of 94.3
Crime rate vs national average · last 12 months
Violence and sexual offences 136 crimes
↓ 14% below national average
Anti-social behaviour 36 crimes
↓ 50% below national average
Shoplifting 29 crimes
↓ 22% below national average
Public order 29 crimes
≈ similar to national average
Criminal damage and arson 25 crimes
↓ 22% below national average
other 64 crimes
Highest-crime locations
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  1. 1 Petrol Station 44 crimes
  2. 2 Buxton Road 22 crimes
  3. 3 Parking Area 22 crimes

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

Environment
79
Air Quality NO₂ 5.3 · PM2.5 6.3 · PM10 9.2 µg/m³
76
Green Space 85
Parks Ample 8
Sports Pitches Ample 5
Allotments Some 1
Golf Courses None
Tennis Courts None
Bowling Greens Some 1
Playgrounds Adequate 5

Services

Schools
32
3 schools in area · 6 within 4km
3Good
  • Buxworth Primary SchoolPrimary · inspected 2022
    Good
  • Taxal and Fernilee CofE Primary SchoolPrimary · inspected 2023
    Good
  • Whaley Bridge Primary SchoolPrimary · inspected 2022
    Good

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

Healthcare
41
A&E departmentsWythenshawe Hospital12.7 mi
Manchester University Hospitals (central site)12.9 mi
Manchester Royal Infirmary13 mi
Hospital waitsChesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust2.8 mi
Routine referral (median)15 wks
Treated within 18 weeks54.2%
A&E seen within 4 hrs74.2%
1 GP surgery in area best 'Outstanding'
GP capacity1,187 patients per GP
1dentist1pharmacy

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
73
Full fibre (FTTP)80.1%
available across High Peak
Gigabit-capable · incl. cable
91%
Ultrafast (300+ Mbps)
91%
Superfast (30+ Mbps)
99.4%
Ofcom Connected Nations · 135 postcodes · full fibre at local-authority level

Economy & Bills

Economic Health
68
Employment rate59%
Above the Great Britain average of 57.3% of residents aged 16+
Economic activity (16+)
Employed59%Unemployed1.8%Retired28.5%Student3.5%Other inactive7.1%
Occupation mix
Professional & managerial42.8%Skilled & technical33.2%Routine & elementary24%
Highest qualification (16+)
No qualifications13.1%Level 1 (1–4 GCSEs)8.5%Level 2 (5+ GCSEs)13.4%Level 3 (A levels)17.8%Level 4+ (degree & above)39.2%Apprenticeship6%Other (incl. vocational)2.1%
Home ownership76.2%
Among the least-deprived 36% of areas in England
Census 2021/22 (Great Britain) · deprivation: IoD 2025 / SIMD
Bills
54
Council tax High Peak · 2026-27
A £1,590
B £1,855
C £2,120
D £2,385
E £2,915
F £3,445
G £3,975
H £4,770
Energy North West England region
Typical bill regional £1,641/yr
Ofgem price cap, GB average · Apr–Jun 2026
Typical home efficiency local EPC band D
Water United Utilities
Average bill regional £456/yr
Combined water & sewerage · GB average £520

Transport

Transport
43
Whaley Bridge 0.3 mi
Furness Vale 1.6 mi
Chinley 2 mi
J25 M60 8.9 mi
J26 M60 8.9 mi
J25 M60 9.1 mi

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
58
Pubs & Bars Adequate 8
Restaurants & Cafes Adequate 4
Supermarkets & Convenience Adequate 3
Retail Shopping Ample 46
Takeaways Adequate 10
Fitness Adequate 2

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House Prices

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

Type Median price Sales
All dwellings £290,750 40
Detached £433,750 14
Semi-detached £280,750 12
Terraced £237,000 13
5-year monthly trend
All Detached Semi Terraced
£211k £329k £451k £570k 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026

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

Nearby places

Furness Vale 56 1.6 mi away ⇄
Chinley 51 2.1 mi away ⇄
New Mills 63 2.9 mi away ⇄
Chapel-en-le-Frith 48 2.9 mi away ⇄
Disley 53 3.0 mi away ⇄
Birch Vale 56 3.7 mi away ⇄
Hayfield 47 4.0 mi away ⇄
High Lane 52 4.3 mi away ⇄
Higher Poynton 51 4.4 mi away ⇄
Dove Holes 29 4.5 mi away ⇄
Marpleridge 56 4.5 mi away ⇄
Rainow 43 4.9 mi away ⇄

Frequently asked questions

Is Whaley Bridge a nice place to live?

Whaley Bridge is a decent place to live for many people. Our liveability score for Whaley Bridge is 59/100, 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 Whaley Bridge?

Whaley Bridge is a relatively safe area to live. Our safety score is 86/100. There were 319 crimes recorded in the area over the past 12 months.

What are the best schools in Whaley Bridge?

Among the top-rated schools in Whaley Bridge are Buxworth Primary School, Taxal and Fernilee CofE Primary School and Whaley Bridge Primary School, rated Good by Ofsted. There are 3 rated schools in Whaley Bridge in total.

What are house prices like in Whaley Bridge?

The current median house price in Whaley Bridge is £290,750, in line with the England and Wales average. By property type: detached £433,750, semi-detached £280,750, terraced £237,000. Over the past five years, prices have risen by around 2%. There were 40 sales recorded in the past 12 months.

Whaley Bridge in context

See where Whaley Bridge ranks among the best places to live in Derbyshire

Postcode districts in Whaley Bridge

SK23 50 ⇄

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