Ackworth & Darrington
Wakefield 034 · 7 sub-areas · 11,855 residents
Wakefield 034 is a largely owner-occupied neighbourhood within Wakefield, home to around 11,855 people and skewing noticeably older than much of the city. A typical two-bedroom home lets for about £709 a month. Around three in four households own their home outright or with a mortgage.
Ackworth & Darrington is a commuter neighbourhood within Wakefield — train into Leeds runs in around 57 minutes, and the rhythm of weekday mornings is shaped by it. Most homes are owner-occupied, so turnover is low and many residents have been here a long time.
Overview
What's it like to live in Ackworth & Darrington?
Greenspace is on the doorstep — a park or playing field is within walking distance of most homes; there's effectively nothing within walking distance — eating out, drinking and shopping mean a drive; The streets feel safe by national standards — police-recorded crime is well below the country-wide median; Transport links are limited — a car or e-bike is a practical assumption for most regular trips; rents are below the national norm, with a typical home letting at around £787 a month; gigabit broadband is effectively universal.
Generated from the latest May 2026 data · refreshed automatically
Figures are aggregated across 7 sub-areas — population-weighted means for rates, sums for counts. Sources cited beneath each section.
Ackworth & Darrington in Wakefield
Living in Ackworth & Darrington
This part of Wakefield is defined by its settled, residential character. Ownership rates are high — nearly four in five households own their home — which gives the area a stable, long-term feel that's distinct from the city's more transient rental neighbourhoods. Greenspace is within reach: the nearest open space is roughly half a kilometre away, and about two in five residents live within a walkable distance of a park or green area.
The cost of living here is genuinely low by national standards. A one-bedroom property runs around £563 a month, a two-bed around £709, and a three-bed about £848. Rents rose roughly 4.9% over the past year, in line with the broader market, but the starting point remains modest. Council tax (Band D) comes to just under £2,300 a year. Saving a deposit is relatively achievable too: at current prices, a typical buyer needs around four and a half years of savings to reach a 10% deposit.
The population leans older. Over 45% of residents are aged 50 or above, and the 65-plus group alone accounts for nearly a quarter of the area. Single-person households make up over a quarter of all homes. That demographic profile shapes the day-to-day feel — quieter streets, lower footfall in the evenings, fewer of the amenities that draw younger renters. The degree-qualification rate sits at 35%, slightly above what you'd typically expect for a Wakefield neighbourhood.
Car ownership is the norm here: over 62% of residents drive to work, and only around 1.7% use public transport. The nearest mainline rail station is approximately 3 km away — roughly a 37-minute walk, or a short drive. For most residents, having a car isn't optional. See the streets and sub-areas below for more on how connectivity varies across the neighbourhood.
What you'll need on day one
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Frequently asked
- Is Wakefield 034 a nice place to live?
- It's a quiet, settled neighbourhood with low crime and affordable housing — genuinely comfortable if you own a car and don't need city-centre amenities on your doorstep. It suits people looking for space and stability rather than nightlife or a short commute on foot.
- What is the rent in Wakefield 034?
- A one-bedroom property runs around £563 a month, a two-bed around £709, and a three-bed roughly £848. These are estimates based on city-level data scaled to local sale prices. Rents rose about 4.9% over the past year.
- Is Wakefield 034 safe?
- Yes, relatively. The crime rate here is around 58.9 incidents per 1,000 residents a year — noticeably below the UK national rate of roughly 80 per 1,000. The high owner-occupation rate and older population both tend to correlate with lower crime.
- What's the commute from Wakefield 034 to Wakefield city centre?
- Most residents drive — over 62% commute by car. The nearest mainline rail station is about 3 km away (a short drive or a lengthy walk). Public transport use is very low at under 2%, so a car is effectively essential for most people living here.
- Who lives in Wakefield 034?
- Mostly older, settled owner-occupiers. Nearly a quarter of residents are 65 or above, and over 78% own their home. Single-person households account for just over a quarter of all properties. It's a long-established, low-turnover community.
- What schools are near Wakefield 034?
- There are 19 schools within typical catchment distance, but only around 41% are rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted — significantly below the national average of roughly 89%. The nearest Outstanding school is about 1.9 km away. Check Wakefield council's catchment maps before committing.
- How affordable is buying a home in Wakefield 034?
- Relatively accessible. The median property price is just over £270,000, and at current savings rates a typical buyer needs around four and a half years to save a 10% deposit. That's a more manageable timeline than most of southern England.