Blackburn with Darwen scores 946 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 315th of 361 local authorities and 54 points below the UK benchmark. Its strongest pillar is Scaling, where it sits closest to the national average. Investment is the area of greatest weakness, ranking 347th of 360 authorities.
Each score is averaged across the area's active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That averaging means a smaller authority with highly active companies can rank above a much larger one, making this a fair comparison between authorities of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Blackburn with Darwen's composite of 946 sits below that benchmark. The likely range of 935 to 957 shows how much the score could move with a slightly different mix of companies; a score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on.
North West
Each dot shows the pillar score on a scale where the UK as a whole scores 1,000, marked by the line. The paler band is the likely range. The composite weights Innovation, Scaling and Investment 30% each and ESG 10%.
How Blackburn with Darwen's composite score of 946 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
941
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−59 points against the UK · Likely range 925–957 · 30% of the composite
Innovation measures patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tagging and IS-8 sector presence. Blackburn with Darwen scores 941 on this pillar, 59 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 289th of 361 authorities and outperforming just under a fifth of all authorities. That result points to relatively limited patent activity, R&D grant receipts and presence in innovative or IS-8 sectors among its companies.
Tagged with any industry or buzzword on a curated list of innovative sectors, for example chips, biotechnology, quantum, AI, data, SaaS, FinTech and CleanTech. About 2.5% of companies.
Tagged with any of the eight IS-8 sectors: advanced manufacturing, clean energy, creative industries, digital and technologies, financial services, life sciences, professional and business services, and defence. About 18% of companies.
We publish a score for each pillar, not for the measures inside it. The percentage beside each measure is how much it counts towards the pillar score. Select the lock to see the companies behind a measure on the Beauhurst platform.
Scaling
988
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−12 points against the UK · Likely range 965–1,011 · 30% of the composite
Scaling captures whether companies meet the 20% scaleup threshold, their annualised headcount growth, and accelerator attendance. At 988, Blackburn with Darwen's Scaling score is only 12 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 215th of 360 authorities. This is the authority's strongest pillar, suggesting its companies are adding staff at a rate broadly in line with the national picture.
Annualised three-year employee growth rate over the latest four years of accounts, including group accounts, for companies with five or more employees at the start (capped). All other companies count as zero.
We publish a score for each pillar, not for the measures inside it. The percentage beside each measure is how much it counts towards the pillar score. Select the lock to see the companies behind a measure on the Beauhurst platform.
Investment
903
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−97 points against the UK · Likely range 882–924 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raisers, the value of equity raised and first-time raisers, all over the last five years. With a score of 903, Blackburn with Darwen ranks 347th of 360 authorities, 97 points below the UK benchmark, and outperforms only 3.6% of authorities. This is the sharpest gap in the authority's profile, indicating that equity fundraising activity among its companies is well below the national level.
Whether the company's first equity deal ever was in the last five years. A first-time raiser always counts as an equity raiser too.
We publish a score for each pillar, not for the measures inside it. The percentage beside each measure is how much it counts towards the pillar score. Select the lock to see the companies behind a measure on the Beauhurst platform.
ESG
960
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−40 points against the UK · Likely range 944–976 · 10% of the composite
The ESG pillar reflects clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. Blackburn with Darwen scores 960 here, 40 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 312th of 361 authorities. While still below the national average, this is a narrower gap than on Innovation or Investment.
Is limited by guarantee without share capital, a rough indicator of non-profit status.
We publish a score for each pillar, not for the measures inside it. The percentage beside each measure is how much it counts towards the pillar score. Select the lock to see the companies behind a measure on the Beauhurst platform.
Compared to Lancashire
The chart below places Blackburn with Darwen's composite score alongside its neighbouring authorities, showing where it sits within its local context.
What is Blackburn with Darwen's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
Blackburn with Darwen scores 946, placing it 315th of 361 local authorities and 54 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Blackburn with Darwen compare with the rest of Lancashire?
It ranks 11th of 14 authorities in Lancashire, scoring 14 points below the county average of 960.
How does Blackburn with Darwen compare with the North West region?
It ranks 26th of 35 authorities in the North West, sitting 27 points below the regional average of 973.
Which pillar is Blackburn with Darwen strongest on?
Scaling is its strongest pillar, with a score of 988 that sits only 12 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 215th of 360 authorities.
Where does Blackburn with Darwen rank on Investment?
Investment is its weakest area, ranking 347th of 360 authorities with a score of 903, which is 97 points below the UK benchmark.
How many companies does the Blackburn with Darwen score cover?
The score is based on 9,927 active companies, with corporate groups counted once rather than as separate registered entities.
Explore the data behind the index
Every score on this page is built from real, named company activity, patent filings, fundraisings, spinouts and scaleups. Book a call to see the data behind any authority's score, and how Beauhurst can support your work.
