Administrative Boundary of Blackburn with Darwen

About Blackburn with Darwen

Blackburn with Darwen is a unitary authority in Lancashire, northwestern England, situated in the Pennine foothills east of Preston. With a population of approximately 149,800 (2021 Census), the borough combines a fascinating textile and industrial history with one of the most ethnically diverse populations of any town in northern England. History and Heritage Blackburn's history is inseparable from the story of the Industrial Revolution and the transformation of global textile manufacturing. The town's pivotal contribution came around 1764, when James Hargreaves — a weaver and carpenter living near Blackburn — invented the Spinning Jenny, a multi-spindle spinning frame that dramatically increased the productivity of cotton thread production. This invention, along with Richard Arkwright's water frame (developed with Blackburn connections) and other innovations of the Lancashire textile districts, launched the mechanised cotton industry that transformed the global economy. By the mid-19th century, Blackburn was believed to possess more power looms than any other town in the world, with approximately 100,000 looms operating in the borough at the peak of production. The town's weaving sheds, with their distinctive saw-tooth rooflines designed to admit north light, became emblematic of industrial Lancashire. Cotton cloth manufactured in Blackburn was exported across the British Empire and dominated global markets from India to South America. The decline of the cotton industry from the early 20th century, accelerating dramatically after the Second World War, imposed severe economic hardship on Blackburn. Mills closed, unemployment rose, and the town underwent a painful economic transition that continues to the present day. Blackburn Cathedral, though modest in scale compared to England's ancient cathedrals, was completed in its current form in 1926 on the site of the original parish church of St Mary the Virgin. It was elevated to cathedral status when the Diocese of Blackburn was created in 1926. The building was significantly extended and enhanced in the 1960s and continues as an important spiritual and community focus. Geography Blackburn with Darwen covers approximately 137 square kilometres. The town of Blackburn occupies a relatively flat valley floor, while Darwen lies to the south on higher ground rising toward the West Pennine Moors. Darwen Tower, also known as Jubilee Tower, stands at 378 metres above sea level on Darwen Moor and is a prominent local landmark visible from much of the borough. Darwen Moor is an open-access moorland popular with walkers, and the area carries significant ecological importance as upland peat moorland. Population and Demographics The 2021 Census recorded 149,800 residents. Blackburn with Darwen has one of the highest proportions of residents from South Asian backgrounds of any local authority in England, with approximately 35% of the population identifying as Pakistani or Bangladeshi in origin. This community established itself principally during the 1950s and 1960s when textile mills and other industries actively recruited workers from Pakistan and Bangladesh. The borough has an exceptionally young population profile, with a higher-than-average proportion of under-16s. Economy and Regeneration The modern economy of Blackburn with Darwen has diversified significantly from its textile roots. BAE Systems, Thwaites Brewery, and Boohoo (whose regional logistics operations are nearby) are among the significant employers. Healthcare and public services are major employers. The town has invested in its market, retail, and cultural offer, though significant deprivation persists in several wards. GIS and Boundary Data The administrative boundary of Blackburn with Darwen unitary authority is available for free download in GeoJSON and KML formats, sourced from the ONS Open Geography Portal (Crown copyright 2024). Fully compatible with QGIS, ArcGIS, Mapbox, and Google Earth, the dataset supports demographic research, economic planning, environmental mapping, and infrastructure analysis across the Blackburn with Darwen local authority area.

📍 Administrative boundary of Blackburn with Darwen county