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Economy and work in Bolton

Metropolitan borough

The middle of the North West. 309,732 people in 140 square kilometres.

4 layers about economy and work for Bolton, each at the level its publisher released it, with its own date and source.

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Claimants by neighbourhood

Claimant count (Nomis) · August 2026

Under 1070 or more

Bolton’s 177 neighbourhoods range from 5 to 195.

Median full-time pay

CouncilGreat Britain only
£34,186
ONS earnings survey · 2025

Full-time workers living in Bolton earned a median of £34,186 in 2025.

Open in mapSource and methodEvery council ranked
Median full-time pay: Bolton among every council348 areas from £29,805 to £57,396. The middle area is £38,490. Bolton is £34,186.

People claiming out-of-work benefits

Council
10,025
ONS via Nomis · Aug 2026

In Bolton, 10,025 people were claiming out-of-work benefits in August 2026.

Open in mapSource and method
People claiming out-of-work benefits: Bolton among every council361 areas from 20 to 77,930. The middle area is 2,690. Bolton is 10,025.

Claimant rate

Council
5.3%
ONS via Nomis · Aug 2026

In Bolton, 5.3% of residents aged 16 to 64 were claiming out-of-work benefits in August 2026.

For the UK as a whole, the figure was 3.9%.

Against North West
26% higher4.2%
Against the UK
36% higher3.9%
Open in mapSource and methodEvery council ranked
Claimant rate: Bolton among every council361 areas from 1.1% to 10.1%. The middle area is 3.2%. Bolton is 5.3%.

Employment rate

CouncilGreat Britain only
69.5%
ONS population survey · Mar 2026

69.5% of people aged 16 to 64 in Bolton were in work in the year to March 2026.

Bolton is 41st lowest of 348 for employment rate.

Open in mapSource and methodEvery council ranked
Employment rate: Bolton among every council348 areas from 59.7% to 91.4%. The middle area is 76.3%. Bolton is 69.5%.