Town Pop. 23,202

Living in Whitehaven: Liveability Score 55/100

Last updated 7 August 2026

Whitehaven scores 55/100 overall, across 9 scored categories. Measured against other towns, healthcare stands out most: 52/100 where the typical UK town scores 18/100. Furthest below the national norm is safety, at 47/100 against a town median of 88/100.

That is the highest score of the 4 places in the CA28 postcode district. No category drops below 42/100, which is unusual: most UK towns carry at least one clear weak spot. On the national picture that lands Whitehaven in the top quarter of all the places we score. Wider context for the surrounding area: CA28 postcode district.

55
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.

Whitehaven scores 55 but individual postcodes tell the full story

See the exact score for any postcode, side by side with Whitehaven.
Or compare:
CA28 0DG CA28 6AA CA28 7AA CA28 8AA CA28 9AB CA28

Score breakdown

Safety & Environment

Safety
47
105.5 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 1,248 crimes
↑ 62% above national average
Public order 257 crimes
↑ 71% above national average
Criminal damage and arson 225 crimes
↑ 43% above national average
Anti-social behaviour 214 crimes
↓ 39% below national average
Other theft 140 crimes
≈ similar to national average
other 363 crimes
Highest-crime locations
Loading map…
  1. 1 Nightclub 110 crimes
  2. 2 Duke Street 83 crimes
  3. 3 Cambridge Road 78 crimes

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

Environment
67
Air Quality NO₂ 3.2 · PM2.5 4.3 · PM10 7.8 µg/m³
83
Green Space 29
Parks Ample 9
Sports Pitches Ample 11
Allotments Adequate 2
Golf Courses Some 1
Tennis Courts None
Bowling Greens Adequate 2
Playgrounds Ample 9

Services

Schools
56
Top 10 by Ofsted rating · 16 in area · 17 within 4km
1Outstanding13Good2Ungraded
  • Mayfield SchoolSpecial · inspected 2023
    Outstanding
  • Bransty Primary SchoolPrimary · inspected 2023
    Good
  • Hensingham Primary SchoolPrimary · inspected 2024
    Good
  • Jericho Primary SchoolPrimary · inspected 2023
    Good
  • Monkwray Junior SchoolPrimary · inspected 2023
    Good
  • Moresby Primary SchoolPrimary · inspected 2023
    Good
  • St Begh's Catholic Junior SchoolPrimary · inspected 2023
    Good
  • St Benedict's Catholic High SchoolSecondary · inspected 2025
    Good
  • St Bridget's CofE SchoolPrimary · inspected 2022
    Good
  • St Gregory and St Patrick's Catholic Infant SchoolPrimary · inspected 2024
    Good

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
52
A&E departmentsCumberland Infirmary33.6 mi
Royal Lancaster Infirmary45.4 mi
Blackpool Victoria Hospital53.5 mi
Hospital waitsNorth Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust0.5 mi
Routine referral (median)12 wks
Treated within 18 weeks64.3%
A&E seen within 4 hrs62.6%
3 GP surgeries in area best 'Good'
GP capacity1,553 patients per GP
6dentists7pharmacies

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
78
Full fibre (FTTP)73.1%
available across Cumberland
Gigabit-capable · incl. cable
91.1%
Ultrafast (300+ Mbps)
91.1%
Superfast (30+ Mbps)
99.8%
Ofcom Connected Nations · 710 postcodes · full fibre at local-authority level

Economy & Bills

Economic Health
46
Employment rate55.8%
Below the Great Britain average of 57.3% of residents aged 16+
Economic activity (16+)
Employed55.8%Unemployed2.5%Retired25.9%Student3%Other inactive12.8%
Occupation mix
Professional & managerial33.1%Skilled & technical31.2%Routine & elementary35.7%
Highest qualification (16+)
No qualifications21.9%Level 1 (1–4 GCSEs)10.2%Level 2 (5+ GCSEs)13.7%Level 3 (A levels)18.6%Level 4+ (degree & above)25.2%Apprenticeship8.1%Other (incl. vocational)2.4%
Home ownership70.2%
Around the England average for deprivation
Census 2021/22 (Great Britain) · deprivation: IoD 2025 / SIMD
Bills
42
Council tax Cumberland · 2026-27
A £1,674
B £1,953
C £2,232
D £2,511
E £3,069
F £3,627
G £4,185
H £5,022
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
55
Corkickle 0.2 mi
Whitehaven 1 mi
Parton 2.1 mi
No motorway junctions within 30 mi

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
48
Pubs & Bars Ample 35
Restaurants & Cafes Ample 31
Supermarkets & Convenience Ample 21
Retail Shopping Ample 163
Takeaways Ample 28
Fitness Ample 5

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House Prices

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

Type Median price Sales
All dwellings £159,500 206
Detached £275,000 31
Semi-detached £160,375 102
Terraced £123,000 63
Flat / Maisonette £79,000 10
5-year monthly trend
All Detached Semi Terraced Flat
£80k £149k £220k £289k 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026

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

Nearby places

Moresby Parks 54 1.6 mi away ⇄
Parton 46 2.0 mi away ⇄
Moor Row 42 2.3 mi away ⇄
Cleator Moor 39 2.6 mi away ⇄
Bigrigg 41 2.8 mi away ⇄
Lowca 51 2.8 mi away ⇄
Rheda Park 44 2.9 mi away ⇄
Frizington 35 3.4 mi away ⇄
St Bees 41 3.4 mi away ⇄
Distington 50 4.2 mi away ⇄
Egremont 41 4.3 mi away ⇄
Arlecdon 47 4.6 mi away ⇄

Frequently asked questions

Is Whitehaven a nice place to live?

Whitehaven is a decent place to live for many people. Our liveability score for Whitehaven is 55/100, 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 Whitehaven?

Whitehaven has crime levels around the national average. Our safety score is 47/100. There were 2,447 crimes recorded in the area over the past 12 months.

What are the best schools in Whitehaven?

Among the top-rated schools in Whitehaven are Mayfield School, Bransty Primary School and Hensingham Primary School, rated Outstanding by Ofsted. There are 16 rated schools in Whitehaven in total.

What are house prices like in Whitehaven?

The current median house price in Whitehaven is £159,500, around 44% below the England and Wales average. By property type: detached £275,000, semi-detached £160,375, terraced £123,000, flat £79,000. Over the past five years, prices have risen by around 15%. There were 206 sales recorded in the past 12 months.

Whitehaven in context

See where Whitehaven ranks among the best places to live in Cumbria

Postcode districts in Whitehaven

CA28 53 ⇄

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