Runcorn
Runcorn is an industrial town and cargo port in the Borough of Halton, Cheshire, England, situated on the southern bank of the River Mersey where the estuary narrows to facilitate crossings.[1][2] The town originated as an Anglo-Saxon burh established around 912 AD by Æthelflæd of Mercia to counter Viking advances up the Mersey.[3] Remaining a modest settlement until the Industrial Revolution, Runcorn expanded rapidly with shipbuilding, sand quarrying for glass production, and chemical manufacturing, bolstered by its port facilities and the opening of the Manchester Ship Canal in 1894.[4][5] Designated a new town in 1964, it underwent planned expansion eastward, incorporating surrounding areas and more than doubling its population to support overspill from Merseyside conurbations, though this development emphasized radial road networks and modernist architecture that later drew mixed assessments for social cohesion.[1] As of 2022, Runcorn's population stood at 61,487, with the local economy centered on logistics, chemicals, and port activities handling exports like salt.[6][7] The town is defined by its strategic Mersey crossings, including the Silver Jubilee Bridge and the modern Mersey Gateway, underscoring its role in regional transport and trade.[1]History
Early history
Archaeological evidence points to prehistoric human activity in the Runcorn area, with artifacts from the Bronze Age (c. 1750–1550 BC) including a stone axe-hammer discovered on the lower sandstone ridge extending from Runcorn toward Knutsford.[8] Iron Age finds have also been recovered locally, indicating occupation by Celtic tribes amid a landscape of mixed woodland, waste ground, and limited arable land suitable for early farming and fishing.[9][8] The richest concentrations of such prehistoric material lie along the nearby Central Ridge from Helsby to Malpas, where elevated terrain facilitated settlement, though Runcorn's riverine position suggests sporadic use for resource exploitation rather than dense habitation.[10] Roman occupation in Cheshire (c. 70–410 AD) left indirect traces near Runcorn, with no confirmed settlements in the immediate vicinity but artifacts such as lead pigs—ingots stamped with Roman markings—attesting to industrial activity, likely tied to local mining or transport along the Mersey.[11] These finds, held in collections like that of Warrington Museum, align with broader Roman exploitation of the region, including subjugation of the local Cangi tribe as commemorated on lead sows.[11] A small fortlet at Ince, approximately 5 km east of Runcorn and dated to AD 80–100, supported logistics for the legionary fortress at Chester (Deva Victrix), implying Runcorn's strategic river crossing may have seen transient military or economic use, potentially including a villa estate.[12][11] By the early 10th century, Viking incursions prompted defensive measures; in 915, Æthelflæd, Lady of the Mercians, established a burh—a fortified enclosure—at Runcorn to secure the Mersey's narrowing, complementing nearby forts like Eddisbury and blocking Norse access from the Irish Sea.[3] This Anglo-Saxon stronghold marked the site's emergence as a deliberate settlement, leveraging its topographic defensibility amid post-Roman fragmentation.[13]Medieval period
During the early medieval period, Runcorn featured as a fortified settlement, possibly established as an Anglo-Saxon burh around 915 by Æthelflæd, Lady of the Mercians, to defend against Viking incursions along the River Mersey.[3] This burh, situated on a strategic sandstone promontory overlooking the estuary, underscored the site's defensive significance in the Mercian landscape. Archaeological evidence suggests continuity from prehistoric times, but the burh's role diminished after the Norman Conquest.[9] Following the Norman Conquest, Runcorn fell under the Barony of Halton, granted by Hugh d'Avranches, Earl of Chester, to his nephew Nigel around 1070, marking the origins of Halton Castle as a motte-and-bailey fortification on Halton Hill. The castle, later rebuilt with a shell keep, served as the caput of the barony and a key stronghold controlling access to the Mersey, with the Barons of Halton holding tenure by knight's service until the 14th century.[14] A possible timber castle existed at Runcorn's Castle Rock, though evidence for substantial masonry remains is lacking. In 1115, William FitzNigel, the second Baron of Halton and Constable of Chester, founded an Augustinian priory dedicated to St. Mary in Runcorn, reflecting monastic expansion in the region.[8] The priory was relocated to Norton in 1134, where it developed into a significant abbey until the Dissolution in 1536, leaving Runcorn's medieval landscape dominated by the castle's strategic oversight rather than extensive ecclesiastical remains.[15] The barony's feudal ties to the Earldom of Chester persisted, with Halton Castle maintaining its military prominence through the medieval era.[16]English Civil War
During the First English Civil War, Halton Castle, situated on a promontory overlooking the town of Runcorn and the River Mersey, functioned as a Royalist stronghold controlling access to the region.[17] The castle was besieged by Parliamentary forces under the command of Sir William Brereton following the capture of nearby Warrington earlier in 1643. After a prolonged engagement, the Royalist garrison surrendered on 20 July 1643.[17] The castle was briefly recaptured by Royalist forces in 1644 but was retaken by Parliamentarians later that same year amid the shifting fortunes of the Royalist cause in Cheshire.[8] Following its final loss, the structure was slighted on Parliament's orders, leading to its deterioration and contributing to the ruins visible today.[18] Local estates, including Norton Priory in Runcorn, saw activity from Parliamentary figures such as Henry Brooke in 1642, reflecting the broader division of loyalties in the area.[19]Industrialisation
The extension of the Bridgewater Canal to Runcorn, completed on 21 March 1776, initiated the town's industrialisation by linking it directly to Manchester and enabling efficient coal transport from Worsley mines to the River Mersey for shipment to coastal destinations.[20] This infrastructure development, spearheaded by Francis Egerton, 3rd Duke of Bridgewater, reduced coal prices in Manchester by nearly 50% and positioned Runcorn as a vital transshipment point, fostering ancillary industries such as warehousing and basic manufacturing.[21] By the early 19th century, the canal's role in bulk goods movement had spurred population growth from around 1,000 in 1801 to over 5,000 by 1841, laying the groundwork for heavier industry.[22] Chemical manufacturing emerged as Runcorn's dominant sector from the 1820s onward, capitalising on abundant Cheshire salt deposits and reliable inland waterways for raw material and product distribution. Early ventures focused on alkali and soap production; for instance, the Johnson family's Weston works began operations around 1825, producing soda ash via the Leblanc process, which involved decomposing salt with sulfuric acid.[23] By the 1850s, multiple factories dotted the riverside, including those at Weston Point, where chlorine gas—the first industrially produced in Britain—was manufactured from the 1840s, initially for bleaching but later integral to diverse chemical syntheses.[24] The sector's expansion was uneven, marked by hazardous operations; a 1884 explosion at the Runcorn Soap and Alkali Company killed two children, highlighting rudimentary safety standards prevalent before regulatory reforms.[25] The Manchester Ship Canal's opening on 1 January 1894 profoundly amplified Runcorn's industrial capacity by providing deep-water access for ocean-going vessels, bypassing Liverpool's tolls and enabling direct exports of chemicals and imports of sulfuric acid feedstock.[26] This spurred dockside expansions, including new chemical plants at Weston Point and Astmoor, where firms like United Alkali Company (predecessor to ICI) scaled production; by 1900, Runcorn hosted over a dozen major works employing thousands in caustic soda, bleach, and emerging specialties like hydrogen fluoride.[27] Tanning and sand-lime brick production complemented chemicals, but the latter's pollution—evident in Mersey discoloration—drew early environmental scrutiny, though economic imperatives prioritised output, with employment peaking at around 10,000 in the interwar period.[28]Second World War impacts
Runcorn's chemical facilities, particularly those of Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI), played a significant role in the British war effort by producing chemical warfare agents such as mustard gas and phosgene, intended for retaliatory use if Germany initiated gas attacks.[29][25] These operations were part of broader Merseyside industrial contributions to munitions and defenses, with anti-aircraft batteries and pillboxes constructed around key sites like ICI works to protect against aerial threats.[30] The town experienced air raids as part of the Blitz targeting Merseyside ports and industry, though the Rural District of Runcorn sustained a low density of bombing overall, with fewer incidents than urban centers like Liverpool.[31] Specific alerts included one on 4 September 1940, when schoolchildren in Weston Point sought shelter for over an hour, and a night raid commencing on 16 September, likely 1940.[32][33] German bombing maps targeted waterfront areas in Weston Point but spared major landmarks like ICI plants, churches, and schools.[32] Civilian life was disrupted by evacuations, with 65 pupils from Weston Point School sent to Blackpool on 1 September 1939, many returning by early 1940 due to hardships, leading to the school's reopening under strained conditions including frequent shelter drills and outbreaks of illness.[32] Air raid shelters were built near community sites, contributing to defensive preparations, though documented casualties and structural damage in Runcorn remained limited compared to heavier-hit regions.[32][31]New Town development
Runcorn was designated a New Town on 10 April 1964 by the Conservative government to address housing shortages and overcrowding in north Merseyside, particularly Liverpool, while providing employment amid post-war population pressures.[1][34] The designated area spanned 2,930 hectares, encompassing an existing population of around 30,000, with plans to expand to 90,000 by 1989 through the addition of approximately 12,000 homes by 1979, of which 75% were intended for social rental and 25% for owner-occupation.[1][34] The Runcorn Development Corporation commissioned architect Arthur Ling to prepare the master plan in 1966, which was approved in 1968 and emphasized pedestrian-oriented design, integrated land uses, and mixed transport modes to foster community cohesion.[34] Key features included a 14-mile dedicated busway completed in 1978 with stops every 0.25 miles to prioritize public over private vehicle use, alongside projections for 19,000 new jobs, including 5,000 at the existing ICI chemical works.[34] Construction commenced in 1966 at Halton Brook, yielding 468 system-built houses in a Radburn layout incorporating shops and play areas.[35] Subsequent housing estates followed: Halton Brow in 1967 with 350 family units in a woonerf-style arrangement; Castlefields around 1970 featuring 2,400 deck-access flats; Southgate Estate from 1967 to 1976, comprising 1,500 dwellings for 6,000 residents designed by James Stirling; Palace Fields in 1972 with red-brick semi-Radburn housing; and 1970s developments at Murdishaw and Windmill Hill emphasizing two-storey homes amid green spaces.[35] These aligned with national policy mandating 40% of public housing use industrialised methods.[35] Commercial infrastructure advanced with the opening of Runcorn Shopping City in May 1972 as a regional retail hub.[34] The expansion incorporated neighbouring settlements eastward, though actual population growth reached 64,000 by 1981, falling short of initial targets for 100,000 by 2000.[35]Criticisms and legacies of planning
The urban planning of Runcorn New Town, initiated in 1964, drew criticism for its high-density housing configurations and reliance on deck-access designs, which empirical evidence linked to elevated social dysfunction. High densities, reaching up to 100 persons per acre in areas like the Southgate Estate, fostered overcrowding and interpersonal tensions, while segregated zoning isolated residential from commercial spaces, hindering community cohesion.[36] Deck-access walkways, intended to enhance pedestrian connectivity, instead amplified noise propagation along through-routes and compromised resident privacy through mutual overlooking between flats, contributing to widespread unease among inhabitants. By the 1980s, these features correlated with increased antisocial behavior, vandalism, drug use, and crime, as documented in architectural assessments and resident accounts. The Radburn-inspired layout, with its rear service roads, proved particularly illegible and conducive to concealed criminal activity.[35] The Southgate Estate, designed by James Stirling and completed in 1977 as the town's residential core, epitomized these flaws; despite initial praise for its urbanity, cost-cutting measures and design oversights led to rapid deterioration. Poor management exacerbated social instability, rendering the estate unsustainable and prompting its full demolition between 1990 and 1994, attributed to prohibitive maintenance costs and unviable economic returns.[36][37][38] Contemporary architectural commentary was divided, with some lauding the scheme's bravura while others highlighted pervasive privacy infringements and structural inadequacies. These critiques reflected broader causal links between modernist planning paradigms—prioritizing vehicular efficiency over human-scale interaction—and resultant community fragmentation in overspill populations relocated from Merseyside conurbations.[35] Legacies persist in redeveloped landscapes and institutional adaptations; the Runcorn Development Corporation merged with its Warrington counterpart in 1981 and fully dissolved in 1989, transferring assets to the Commission for the New Towns. Problematic districts underwent transformation, with Southgate replaced by conventional low-rise housing and Castlefields regenerated by 2012. Integrated into the unitary Halton Borough in 1997, Runcorn benefits from targeted renewal, including £23.6 million in levelling-up funds awarded in 2021, though vestiges like flammable cladding in surviving deck blocks necessitate ongoing remediation as of 2024.[35][39]Governance
Administrative evolution
The Runcorn Board of Improvement Commissioners was established in 1852 to manage local affairs in the Runcorn township and parts of adjacent Halton township, with records indicating operations from at least 1851.[40] This body handled urban improvements, including paving, lighting, and sanitation, prior to more formalized structures under national legislation.[19] Under the Local Government Act 1894, the commissioners' district was reconstituted as the Runcorn Urban District Council, initially comprising six wards and responsible for expanded municipal services such as public health and highways.[40] The council acquired additional assets, including the local waterworks in the early 20th century, and governed independently until the mid-20th century reforms.[19] The Local Government Act 1972 prompted a major reorganization, effective 1 April 1974, merging Runcorn Urban District with Widnes Municipal Borough, Runcorn Rural District, and portions of other surrounding areas to create the Borough of Halton as a non-metropolitan district within Cheshire County Council.[41] Halton Borough Council assumed administrative responsibilities for both Runcorn and Widnes, reflecting geographic and economic ties across the River Mersey.[8] Further restructuring occurred on 1 April 1998, when Halton transitioned to unitary authority status under the Local Government Changes for England (Areas and Authorities) Order 1996, absorbing the powers previously delegated from Cheshire County Council in areas like education, social services, and planning. This change streamlined governance, eliminating the two-tier system and granting Halton full local authority functions while retaining ceremonial links to Cheshire for policing and fire services.[42]Local authority structure
Runcorn falls under the jurisdiction of Halton Borough Council, a unitary authority established in 1974 as a district within Cheshire and granted unitary status on 1 April 1998, thereby assuming responsibilities for both district and county-level services such as education, social care, highways, and planning.[43] [44] The council comprises 54 elected councillors across 18 wards, with Runcorn encompassing wards including Apple Blossom, Clifton, Grange, Heath, Mersey, Murdishaw and Palace Fields, and Windmill Hill, ensuring localized representation within the borough-wide structure.[45] Governance operates under a leader and cabinet model, featuring an Executive Board of ten members responsible for key portfolios including finance, health, and regeneration, while full council meetings convene at Runcorn Town Hall.[46] Following the 2 May 2024 elections, the Labour Party secured 50 seats, retaining overall control of the council.[45] [47] Runcorn lacks a separate town or parish council, with all local services delivered directly by Halton Borough Council.[48]Parliamentary representation
Runcorn formed its own parliamentary constituency from 1950 until the boundary changes of 1983, returning one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons.[49] Following the 1983 review, the area was incorporated into the newly created Halton constituency, which encompassed Runcorn and the neighbouring town of Widnes, and was held continuously by Labour Party MPs thereafter.[50] The Halton seat was represented by Derek Twigg of the Labour Party from 6 May 2010 until its dissolution in the 2024 boundary changes, having previously held the seat from 1997 to 2005 as well.[51] Twigg's tenure reflected the constituency's strong Labour support, with majorities exceeding 10,000 votes in multiple elections, including 15,517 in 2019.[51] Under the 2023 periodic review of Westminster constituencies, effective from the 2024 general election, Runcorn was reassigned to the new Runcorn and Helsby constituency, which includes parts of the former Weaver Vale and Halton seats, extending into Cheshire West and Chester.[52] Labour's Mike Amesbury won the seat in July 2024 with a majority of 4,906 votes over the Conservative candidate.[53] Amesbury resigned on 17 March 2025 following a court conviction and 10-week prison sentence for assault, triggering a by-election on 1 May 2025.[54] Reform UK's Sarah Pochin, a former Conservative councillor, secured victory by a margin of just six votes over Labour's Karen Shore, with 12,645 votes to Shore's 12,639, marking a significant shift from Labour's prior dominance and Reform UK's first parliamentary gain in the area.[55] [53] Pochin has held the seat as of October 2025.[52]Recent electoral shifts
In the July 2024 general election, Labour candidate Mike Amesbury secured the newly created Runcorn and Helsby parliamentary constituency with 22,358 votes, representing 52.9% of the valid votes cast, ahead of Reform UK's Jason Moorcroft on 7,662 votes (18.1%) and the Conservatives' Jade Marsden on a lower share.[56][53] This result maintained Labour's historical dominance in the Halton area, which encompasses Runcorn, where the party had held the predecessor seat since 1983.[57] A dramatic reversal occurred in the parliamentary by-election for Runcorn and Helsby on 1 May 2025, triggered by Amesbury's resignation. Reform UK candidate Sarah Pochin defeated Labour by a margin of six votes after two recounts, with Reform securing the seat in a low-turnout contest amid broader local elections.[58][53] This narrow victory represented Reform UK's first parliamentary gain from Labour post-2024 general election and underscored a rapid erosion of Labour support in the constituency, where Reform had polled under 20% just 10 months prior.[58][59] The by-election outcome aligned with Reform UK's wider advances in the 2025 English local elections, including gains on councils nationwide, though Halton Borough Council—responsible for Runcorn's local governance—remained under Labour control, with the party retaining its long-standing majority despite Reform fielding candidates.[60] Analysts attributed the parliamentary shift to factors such as voter disillusionment with Labour's early governance decisions, including benefit reforms, and Reform's appeal on issues like immigration and economic pressures in deindustrialized areas like Runcorn.[61] Halton Labour officials cited low turnout—reportedly under 30%—as exacerbating the result, but the flip highlighted volatility in working-class constituencies traditionally loyal to Labour.[62][58]Geography
Topography and setting
Runcorn is situated on the southern bank of the River Mersey estuary in the Borough of Halton, Cheshire, England, where the waterway narrows to form the Runcorn Gap.[63] The town lies approximately 12 miles (19 km) east of Liverpool and 23 miles (37 km) west of Manchester, positioning it within the Liverpool City Region and close to major transport corridors including the M56 and M62 motorways.[63] This strategic location at the estuary's narrowing facilitated historical development as a port, with the Manchester Ship Canal diverging from the Mersey at this point to connect inland to Manchester. The topography features predominantly low-lying, flat terrain adjacent to the Mersey, integral to the Cheshire Plain, with an average elevation of 22 metres (72 feet) above sea level.[64] Rural fringes remain relatively flat, though urban areas exhibit variations due to industrial and developmental modifications.[65] Southward from the river, the landscape transitions to more undulating ground with sandstone outcrops and hills, such as Runcorn Hill reaching up to 84 metres (276 feet). [66] This setting of estuarine flats juxtaposed against rising hinterland elevations has influenced settlement patterns, flood risks, and infrastructure like bridges spanning the Gap, including the Silver Jubilee Bridge carrying the A533 road.[67] The area's glacial and fluvial history contributes to varied superficial deposits of sand, gravel, and diamicton, supporting both agricultural and industrial land uses.[65]Geological features
Runcorn lies within the Cheshire Basin, a Permo-Triassic sedimentary basin formed as part of north-south rift systems during the late Paleozoic to early Mesozoic era, characterized by subsidence and infilling with continental sediments under arid to semi-arid conditions.[68] The basin's structure features gently dipping strata bounded by faults, with the Runcorn area situated on the northern margin, where bedrock exposures are limited due to extensive Quaternary glacial drift deposits from Devensian ice sheets that advanced from the north and west.[68][69] The dominant bedrock consists of Triassic rocks from the Sherwood Sandstone Group, primarily the Helsby Sandstone Formation, comprising cross-bedded, aeolian and fluvial sandstones deposited in dune fields, river channels, and interdune areas approximately 250 million years ago.[70] Underlying these are siltstones and mudstones of the Tarporley Siltstone Formation, representing more lacustrine or floodplain environments within the Mercia Mudstone Group.[71] These formations exhibit sediment-filled fractures and trace fossils, including vertebrate footprints of reptiles such as Chirotherium, first documented in New Red Sandstone slabs from quarries at Weston near Runcorn in the 1840s, providing evidence of Early Triassic terrestrial ecosystems.[72][73] Superficial deposits include till, sand, and gravel from Pleistocene glaciations, which mask much of the solid geology and influence local hydrology by impeding drainage in low-lying areas near the River Mersey.[69] Faulting along the basin margins, such as the Red Rock Fault to the east, has contributed to structural highs like Runcorn Hill, exposing sandstones that were historically quarried for building stone, though extraction ceased due to economic shifts by the mid-20th century.[10]Ecology and environmental changes
Runcorn's ecology has been profoundly shaped by its industrial legacy, particularly the chemical manufacturing and shipping activities along the Manchester Ship Canal and Mersey estuary, which led to severe pollution from the 19th century onward. Discharges from chlor-alkali plants in Runcorn contributed mercury and other heavy metals to the estuary, with sediments recording high contamination levels that persisted into the late 20th century.[74] [75] By the 1980s, the Mersey estuary, including areas near Runcorn, was among the most polluted in the UK, with dissolved oxygen levels critically low and fish populations decimated due to industrial effluents and untreated sewage.[76] [77] Remediation efforts intensified with the launch of the Mersey Basin Campaign in 1985, which coordinated pollution controls, wastewater treatment upgrades, and habitat restoration across the region, leading to measurable improvements in water quality and biodiversity. In the Runcorn area, these initiatives facilitated the recovery of estuarine ecosystems, with over 60 fish species now recorded in monitored sections, including returning salmon and eels, alongside habitat enhancements on former industrial sites.[78] [79] Heavy metal concentrations in floodplain soils remain elevated, affecting soil-plant systems, but ongoing monitoring and bioremediation have mitigated risks to wildlife.[80] Contemporary ecological features include reclaimed sites like Wigg Island Local Nature Reserve, a 23-hectare former industrial area transformed into woodland and wetland habitats supporting diverse bird species, with bird hides and footpaths promoting public access and conservation. Runcorn Hill Park serves as another key site, hosting wildflowers, butterflies, and breeding birds amid maintained paths. Recent projects, such as the 2024 conversion of a disused quarry into wildlife meadows and ponds, aim to boost local biodiversity in line with regional nature recovery strategies targeting scrub and woodland expansion around the estuary.[81] [82] [83] [84]Demographics
Population dynamics
Runcorn's population expanded rapidly after its designation as a new town on April 10, 1964, when it numbered approximately 28,500 residents, with planned growth targeting 90,000–95,000 through housing development and industrial relocation to alleviate urban pressures in nearby Liverpool.[85] This initiative incorporated adjacent settlements and drew inward migration for employment in chemicals and manufacturing, effectively more than doubling the population to over 60,000 by the 1980s as new estates were constructed southward and eastward.[34] The growth trajectory slowed in subsequent decades amid economic shifts, with the population reaching 61,789 at the 2011 census.[6] By mid-2022, it had declined marginally to 61,487, representing a 0.8% reduction over the 2011–2022 period—contrasting sharply with England and Wales' 7.7% increase and Halton's 2.6% rise in the same timeframe.[6] Accompanying this stabilization, the median age rose from 38 to 41 years between 2011 and 2022, exceeding England's increase from 39 to 40, signaling an aging demographic structure with proportions of under-16s at 19.1% (slightly above England's 18.5%) and those aged 65+ at 18.7% (near England's 18.6%).[6] Local dynamics likely reflect subdued natural change (births minus deaths) combined with net out-migration, though borough-level data for Halton indicate migration's outsized role in regional population shifts relative to natural increase.[86]Ethnic composition
According to the 2021 United Kingdom Census, Runcorn's population of 61,631 residents was predominantly White, with 59,516 individuals (96.6%) identifying in this category, reflecting limited ethnic diversity relative to the national average of 81.7% White across England and Wales.[87][88] The detailed ethnic breakdown is as follows:| Ethnic Group | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White | 59,516 | 96.6% |
| Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups | 876 | 1.4% |
| Asian or Asian British | 645 | 1.0% |
| Black, African, Caribbean or Black British | 255 | 0.4% |
| Arab | 110 | 0.2% |
| Other ethnic group | 229 | 0.4% |
Religious affiliations
In the 2021 Census, 52.5% of Runcorn's residents identified as Christian, representing 32,352 individuals out of a total population of approximately 61,600.[87] This marks a substantial decline from 70.1% in the 2011 Census, aligning with broader national trends of decreasing Christian affiliation.[90] Meanwhile, 41.5% reported no religion (25,586 people), reflecting a rise in secular identification consistent with deindustrialization and socioeconomic shifts in the area.[87] Minority religions remain marginal, with Muslims comprising 0.6% (343), Hindus 0.2% (130), Buddhists 0.2% (145), Sikhs under 0.1% (24), and Jews negligible (19). Other religions accounted for 0.4% (235). Approximately 4.6% did not state a religion.[87] For context, the Halton borough average shows 58.6% Christian and 35.2% no religion, indicating Runcorn's relatively higher secularism compared to surrounding areas.[89]| Religion | Percentage (2021) | Number (2021) |
|---|---|---|
| Christian | 52.5% | 32,352 |
| No religion | 41.5% | 25,586 |
| Muslim | 0.6% | 343 |
| Other/unspecified | ~5.4% | ~3,339 |
Socio-economic metrics
Runcorn displays significant socio-economic challenges, as evidenced by the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) 2019, with 44.2% of its Lower-layer Super Output Areas (LSOAs) ranking in the top 10% most deprived nationally for employment and over 60% in the top 20% for health deprivation and disability, including 46.5% in the top 10% for the latter.[6] Child poverty remains elevated, with 27.1% of under-16s residing in relative low-income families in 2022-23, surpassing England's average of 21.3%.[6] Employment metrics for 2021 indicate a working-age (16-64) employment rate of 69.0%, marginally below England's 71.0%, alongside an unemployment rate of 5.6% for those aged 16 and over versus 5.4% nationally.[6] Economic inactivity stands at 41.2% for the 16+ population, exceeding the England figure of 39.1%.[6]| Metric (2021) | Runcorn | England |
|---|---|---|
| Employment rate (16-64) | 69.0% | 71.0% |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 5.6% | 5.4% |
| Economic inactivity rate (16+) | 41.2% | 39.1% |