About Our Borough
Rochdale Borough covers 62 square miles and over two thirds of
the borough is covered by countryside and green areas. It contains
four townships based on Heywood, Middleton, Pennines and Rochdale
and we have excellent links to Greater Manchester and
other cities in the region and easy access to magnificent
countryside inclidng the Pennines.
- We have some first class tourist attractions such as
Hollingworth Lake, Touchstones Art Gallery and the borough's Town
hall. Visitors increased from 6.3m to 7.2m between 2003 and
2005.
- Or borough is ranked one of the most deprived boroughs in the
country and is ranked 25th out of a total of 354 using the
incides of multiple deprivation.
- Our communities get on well together and we have a strong
community and voluntary community sector which contributes a
significant amount to the local economy.
Our People
- The total population in 2007 is 206,500 this is expected to
grow to over 217,000 by 2021.
- The growth of Rochdale Borough is contrary to the national
picture where urban and city populations are declining.
- We also have the youngest population in Greater Manchester and
residents in the 0-15 year old age range comprise 23% of the
borough compared with the national average of 20%.
- Our more affluent areas have a considerably older
population
- Or population is made up of a fairly diverse mix of ethnic
background and cultures. The majority of the borough’s people, 86%
have a white ethnic background. People with a Pakistani background
make up the largest minority group with nearly 7.7%, Irish make up
the second largest minority ethnic groups 1.4