Bolton area report

Highlights

Bolton is a metropolitan district in Greater Manchester with a population of 295,963. The median house price stands at 190,000, having risen 35.7 per cent over five years. Detached properties median at 357,000; semi-detached at 220,000; terraced at 150,000; and flats at 106,000. The affordability ratio is 6.2. Owner occupation accounts for 61.5 per cent of households. Employment stands at 54.0 per cent with an unemployment rate of 6.8 per cent. The median age is 38.9 years. In education, 27.4 per cent of residents aged 16 and over hold level 4 qualifications or above. Schools comprise 97 primary and 18 secondary institutions; 51 of 57 rated by Ofsted are rated good or better. Health provision includes 49 GP surgeries, 40 dentists, 3 hospitals and 74 pharmacies. Life expectancy is 77.2 years for males and 80.8 years for females. Air quality shows moderate nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter levels. Broadband coverage includes 85.5 per cent gigabit-capable premises. Eleven rail stations serve the area, with Manchester city centre approximately 19 minutes from Lostock Rail Station. Council tax band D is 2392.33 for 2026/27.

Data updated 2026/27 (tax); 2025 (control). Bolton, Greater Manchester — a free, sourced local-area report from Acreright. Every figure shows its source and date; where the data isn't reliable we say so rather than guess.

Within Greater Manchester, Bolton ranks 2nd cheapest of 10, 6th most affordable and 2nd best for schools.

What does it cost?

• £190,000 median home price (HM Land Registry Price Paid + UK HPI, Apr 2026)

Sold prices in Bolton have risen 30% over the last five years (UK House Price Index).

Who lives here?

• 295,961 residents (ONS Census 2021 (Nomis), 2021)

About 35% of neighbourhoods in England are more deprived than Bolton (English Indices of Deprivation, decile 4 of 10, national basis). More deprived than in 2019 (decile 4 then).

Schools

• 89% of inspected schools rated Good or Outstanding (Get Information About Schools (GIAS) + Ofsted inspections MI, 2026)

Health

• 77.2 · 80.8 yrs life expectancy (men · women) (NHS ODS register (GP/dentist/pharmacy) + OSM (hospitals) + IoD2025 health domain + OHID Fingertips (outcomes), 2026/2025)

Getting around

• ≈19 min fastest train to Manchester (OpenStreetMap + National Rail timetable (ATOC/RDG, GTFS), 2026)
• 86% of premises can get gigabit broadband (Ofcom Connected Nations 2024, Jul 2024)

Has it been a good investment?

Of homes in Bolton that changed hands in the last five years, 28.3% sold for less than the previous owner paid — 9 points above North West (19.3%) (nominal, not inflation-adjusted). Across those resales the typical gain was 9.89% over 9.74 years held.

Investment context: a gross rental yield of about 6.2% (area median rent against the median sold price) — appraise a specific property at /appraisal/bolton.

Compare every area in Greater Manchester: Greater Manchester area guide & rankings.

Nearby areas we cover: Bury, Wigan, Salford.