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Property investment stats for Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen), North West

A complete guide to property investment in Blackburn.

Last updated: 18 September 2025

Investment summary

Blackburn offers investors a market where affordability stands out, with a price-to-income ratio of 3.6 and a median price per square foot of £175 per sq ft. The area is known for its strong family presence, ranking in the 97th percentile for families, while the student population is also notably high, sitting in the 87th percentile. Liquidity is good, with homes spending just 31 days on the market and sellers achieving their asking prices on average, as shown by a median discount of £0 (the typical achieved discount). Rental demand is solid, reflected in a rental yield of 6.7% and a healthy mix of private and social renters.

Recent capital growth has changed by -1.5% over the past year but shows a longer-term increase of 12.9% over three years, with an annualised rate of 4.1%. This points to a market that is steady rather than speculative, with room for both income seekers and patient investors.

Image of Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen), North West

Key investment stats for Blackburn

Median price per sq ft

£175 / sq ft

Average rental yield

6.7%

Capital growth (1y)

-1.5%

Sales in past year

1,225

* Property stats calculated for last full calendar year (2024).

Live property stats in Blackburn

Live prices in Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen), North West

* Extreme prices clipped for legibility

Properties for sale

Median price

£259,975

25% of properties below...

£165,625

75% of properties below...

£359,250

Most expensive property

£2,850,000

Live listings

534

Median days on market

31

Should you invest in Blackburn?

Opportunities

  • Rental yields are attractive, especially in the top-performing district where yields reach 7.1%.
  • Strong demand from families and students provides a diverse tenant base, with private renting in the 61st percentile and families in the 97th.
  • Properties are selling quickly, with a typical time on market of 31 days, and sellers are achieving their asking prices, as shown by a median discount of £0 (the typical achieved discount).

Risks

  • The area has a high unemployment rate, in the 84th percentile, which could affect tenant stability and long-term growth.
  • The proportion of degree-educated residents and professionals is relatively low, in the 26th and 17th percentiles respectively, which may limit future income growth.
  • Recent capital growth has changed by -1.5% over the past year, which may signal a period of slower price appreciation.

Outlook

Over the next twelve months, Blackburn is likely to remain a market driven by affordability and rental returns. With a rental yield of 6.7% and a quick sales pace, investors can expect both strong income and liquidity. The area’s appeal to families and students should help underpin demand, even if capital growth is more muted in the short term.

Given the steady annualised growth of 4.1% over three years, the market seems set for gradual, rather than dramatic, gains. Investors who value stability and income over rapid appreciation will find Blackburn suits their goals. The mix of tenant types and housing tenures adds resilience, although keeping an eye on employment trends will be important.

Live properties in Blackburn

Investment properties in Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen), North West

2 bedroom terraced house for sale
9% below median price

£99,950

2 bedroom terraced house for sale

Woodsend Close, HIgher Croft, Black...

Properties needing refurbishment in Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen), North West
Needs Refurb
2 bedroom bungalow for sale
On market for 178 days

£130,000 - Offers Over

2 bedroom bungalow for sale

Royshaw Avenue, Pleckgate, Blackbur...

Slow to sell properties in Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen), North West
Slow to Sell
3 bedroom semi-detached bungalow for sale
Reduced by 14%

£210,000 - Guide Price

3 bedroom semi-detached bungalow for sale

Mayfield Road, Ramsgreave, Blackbur...

Big price drop properties in Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen), North West
Big Price Drop
11 bedroom detached house for sale

£650,000 - Guide Price

11 bedroom detached house for sale

Preston Old Road, Blackburn

Properties with planning granted in Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen), North West
Planning Granted
2 bedroom flat for sale
47% below median price

£75,000 - Offers Over

2 bedroom flat for sale

Woodcock House, Preston New Road, B...

Low price-per-sq-ft properties in Blackburn (Blackburn with Darwen), North West
Low Price per Sq Ft

Achieved vs asking prices

Key takeaway: Seller's market

Buyers should not expect big bargains — discounts are marginal.

Headline stats

• Median discount: £0

• 1 in 4 properties sell at > £5,000 below asking

• 1 in 10 properties sell at > £10,000 below asking

In percentage terms:

• Median discount of 0.0%

• 25% of properties discounted by > 2.8%

• 10% of properties discounted by > 5.3%

Best places to invest in Blackburn

Top postcodes for rental yield and (annualised) capital growth

Rank
Postcode
Yield
Capital growth
Median £/sq ft
1BB27.1%5.5%£188 / sq ft
2BB15.5%3.3%£177 / sq ft

Data sources

GeoGlider calculates property investment stats by blending official and proprietary datasets. Here's a quick overview of key sources and how we use them:

  • HM Land Registry: Property transaction and sold-price records for England & Wales used to calculate historical capital growth, price levels and comparables.

  • Office for National Statistics (ONS): Demographic and economic indicators for the UK, including Census 2021, supporting area profiling and market context.

  • Ordnance Survey: Authoritative UK geospatial data powering accurate boundaries, roads and terrain for mapping and spatial analysis.

  • GeoProp: Our proprietary AI pipeline that processes millions of property listings to extract rich features and live market signals.

  • Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities: Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) scores and property floor areas.

  • HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC): Household income and employment data to understand local affordability and economic conditions.

Data is updated continuously, matched across sources and rigorously validated.