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Economy and work in Rochdale

Metropolitan borough

The east of the North West. 237,641 people (mid-2025 estimate) in 158 square kilometres.

4 layers about economy and work for Rochdale, 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

Rochdale’s 135 neighbourhoods range from 10 to 270.

Median full-time pay

CouncilGreat Britain only
£34,660
ONS earnings survey · 2025

Full-time workers living in Rochdale earned a median of £34,660 in 2025.

Open in mapSource and methodEvery council ranked
Median full-time pay: Rochdale among every council348 areas from £29,805 to £57,396. The middle area is £38,490. Rochdale is £34,660.

People claiming out-of-work benefits

Council
8,675
ONS via Nomis · Aug 2026

In Rochdale, 8,675 people were claiming out-of-work benefits in August 2026.

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People claiming out-of-work benefits: Rochdale among every council361 areas from 20 to 77,930. The middle area is 2,690. Rochdale is 8,675.

Claimant rate

Council
6.0%
ONS via Nomis · Aug 2026

In Rochdale, 6.0% 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
43% higher4.2%
Against the UK
1.5 times3.9%
Open in mapSource and methodEvery council ranked
Claimant rate: Rochdale among every council361 areas from 1.1% to 10.1%. The middle area is 3.2%. Rochdale is 6.0%.

Employment rate

CouncilGreat Britain only
67.1%
ONS population survey · Mar 2026

67.1% of people aged 16 to 64 in Rochdale were in work in the year to March 2026.

Rochdale is joint 20th lowest of 348 for employment rate.

Open in mapSource and methodEvery council ranked
Employment rate: Rochdale among every council348 areas from 59.7% to 91.4%. The middle area is 76.3%. Rochdale is 67.1%.