Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 17 h 4 min4:41 am – 9:45 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 7 h 27 min8:26 am – 3:52 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People7,972 residentsin the Rufford & Banks census areaMedian age 52.63,500 households80% of homes owner-occupied49% owned outright8% social rented, 11% private rentedSource: Office for National Statistics, Census 2021
Work and commuting3.4% unemployment rate56% of adults are economically active, 3,709 in work, 31% retiredMain industries: retail and wholesale 17%, health and social work 15%, construction 9%Getting to work: 27% work from home, 65% go by car, 2% take public transport, 4% walk or cycle52% of those who travel work within 10 km of homeSource: Office for National Statistics, Census 2021
Education and languages31% of adults hold a degree or higher19% have no qualifications, 7% an apprenticeshipMain language: English 98%Source: Office for National Statistics, Census 2021
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 20°C, lows 13°CColdest month January: highs 8°C, lows 2°C913 mm of rain a year, 25 days with 10 mm or morewettest month October39 days of air frost, 7 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 landmarksThe Merelake · under a mileSerpentine Lakelake · 2.9 miRunner Plantationswoodland · under a mileHolmes Woodwoodland · under a mileOld Hollowwater · 2.5 miBanks Enclosed Marshwetland · 2.3 miSource: Ordnance Survey Open Names
Parks and green spacesRiverside Leisure Centresports ground · under a mileHesketh Parkpark · 3.9 mi · 12 haTown Lanepark · 4.6 mi · 22 haShirdley Hill Village Greenpark · 5.0 miSource: Ordnance Survey Open Greenspace
Earthquakes149 of magnitude 2 or more within 50 miles since 197013 of magnitude 3+, 2 of magnitude 4+, 3 induced by mining or drillingLargest: magnitude 4.0 on 3 Nov 197612 mi away, WidnesMost recent: magnitude 2.0 on 21 Sep 202635 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 4.4 · PM2.5 5.4 · PM10 10 µg/m³annual mean concentrations, 2024Within UK limits, above the WHO guideline for PM2.5Source: DEFRA modelled background pollution maps 2024, 1 km grid
Broadband87% of premises can get gigabit-capable broadband95% can get superfast (30 Mbit/s or more)0.2% cannot get a decent connection (below the 10 Mbit/s universal service obligation)3,450 residential premises in the census areaSource: Ofcom Connected Nations, July 2025
Elevation5 m16 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from 0 to 14 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesHospitalHartley Hospital4.2 miGP surgeryNorth Meols Medical Centre1.8 miPharmacyBanks Pharmacy1.8 miDentistDental Surgery2.9 miSource: NHS Organisation Data Service
SchoolsWithin 2 mi4 schools4 primaryPrimaryTarleton Mere Brow Church of England Primary Schoolages 3-11, 69 pupilsunder a milePrimaryBanks St Stephen's CofE Schoolages 2-11, 199 pupils1.4 miSecondaryTarleton Academyages 11-16, 674 pupils2.8 miCollegeSouthport Education Group4.6 miUniversityEdge Hill University7.2 miSource: Department for Education, Get Information about Schools
Getting aroundAirportLiverpool John Lennon Airport LPL23 miRailway stationBescar Lane3.0 miBus stationConcourseSkelmersdale9.2 miFerryLiverpool Belfast Ferry Terminal Bootle16 miBus stops12 within a mileSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the PR9 postcode district.
