Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 17 h 3 min4:40 am – 9:43 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 7 h 28 min8:23 am – 3:52 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People8,354 residentsin the Atherton South West census areaMedian age 41.23,827 households67% of homes owner-occupied32% owned outright9% social rented, 23% private rentedSource: Office for National Statistics, Census 2021
Work and commuting4.2% unemployment rate65% of adults are economically active, 4,267 in work, 22% retiredMain industries: retail and wholesale 18%, health and social work 16%, construction 12%Getting to work: 24% work from home, 64% go by car, 5% take public transport, 7% walk or cycle65% of those who travel work within 10 km of homeSource: Office for National Statistics, Census 2021
Education and languages25% of adults hold a degree or higher20% have no qualifications, 8% an apprenticeshipMain language: English 97%Source: Office for National Statistics, Census 2021
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 21°C, lows 12°CColdest month January: highs 7°C, lows 2°C1,153 mm of rain a year, 29 days with 10 mm or morewettest month December38 days of air frost, 8 summer days above 25°C in a typical yearSource: Met Office HadUK-Grid 1991-2020 averages, 2 km grid (highs and lows from the 12 km grid)
Nearby landmarksMill Damwater · 1.1 miRed Waterswater · 1.2 miNew Park Woodwoodland · under a mileRumworth Lodge Reservoirreservoir · 3.0 miAtherton Woodwoodland · 1.0 miWill Hillhill · 3.3 miSource: Ordnance Survey Open Names
Parks and green spacesCentral Parkpark · under a mile · 4 haLilford Parkpark · 1.1 mi · 22 haAstley Street Parkpark · 1.3 mi · 4 haButler Parkplaying field · under a mile · 13 haPeople's Place Recreation Groundplaying field · under a mileHowe Bridge Leisure Centresports ground · under a mile · 18 haSource: Ordnance Survey Open Greenspace
Earthquakes182 of magnitude 2 or more within 50 miles since 197016 of magnitude 3+, 2 of magnitude 4+, 3 induced by mining or drillingLargest: magnitude 4.0 on 3 Nov 197610 mi away, WidnesMost recent: magnitude 2.0 on 21 Sep 202646 mi away, Silverdale, LancashireSource: British Geological Survey earthquake database
Flood riskRivers and sea: areas at Low risk within 500 m of the centrebetween a 1 in 1,000 and a 1 in 100 chance in any yearSource: Environment Agency, Risk of Flooding from Rivers and Sea
Air qualityNO2 10 · PM2.5 6.8 · PM10 11 µg/m³annual mean concentrations, 2024Within UK limits, above the WHO guideline for NO2 and PM2.5Source: DEFRA modelled background pollution maps 2024, 1 km grid
Broadband91% of premises can get gigabit-capable broadband100% can get superfast (30 Mbit/s or more)Every premises can get at least 10 Mbit/s (the universal service obligation)4,011 residential premises in the census areaSource: Ofcom Connected Nations, July 2025
Elevation59 m194 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from 27 to 78 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesHospitalLeight Infirmary1.6 miGP surgeryDr Kk Chan & Partners26 surgeries within 2 milesright herePharmacyBoots12 pharmacies within 2 milesright hereDentistDental Surgeryright hereSource: NHS Organisation Data Service
SchoolsWithin 2 mi26 schools21 primary, 3 secondary, 2 specialSecondaryAtherton High Schoolages 11-16, 561 pupilsunder a milePrimaryParklee Primary Schoolages 3-11, 325 pupilsunder a milePrimaryMeadowbank Primary Schoolages 3-11, 220 pupilsunder a mileCollegeBolton College4.0 miUniversityUniversity of Greater Manchester4.1 miSource: Department for Education, Get Information about Schools
Getting aroundAirportManchester Airport MAN15 miRailway stationAthertonHag Foldunder a mileBus stationLeigh Bus Station2.2 miFerryLiverpool Belfast Ferry Terminal Bootle22 miBus stops131 within a mileSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the M46 postcode district.
