Wigan

Metropolitan district in England

Coordinates:	53.53, -2.57
OS grid ref:	SD 62 04

The Metropolitan Borough of Wigan sits in Greater Manchester in North West England, roughly between Manchester and Liverpool. Created in 1974, the borough includes towns such as Leigh, Atherton, Ashton-in-Makerfield and Standish, and mixes dense post‑industrial urban areas with rural fringes by the West Pennine Moors; it’s crossed by the Leeds and Liverpool Canal and the River Douglas and is well served by the M6 and M62.

Historically built on coal mining and textiles, the area’s industrial past is captured in George Orwell’s The Road to Wigan Pier, and recent decades have seen regeneration of canal‑side quarters alongside lingering social challenges. Culturally it’s a rugby league heartland with a strong local identity, while the local economy now blends manufacturing, logistics and retail with ongoing investment in town centres and community initiatives.

Wigan postcode districts

M29, M46, WN1, WN2, WN3, WN4, WN5, WN6, WN7

Most populated places in Wigan

Places in Wigan

Abram Ward
Appley Bridge Built-up area
Ashton-in-Makerfield Built-up area
Ashton-in-Makerfield South Ward
Aspull Built-up area
Aspull, New Springs & Whelley Ward
Astley Built-up area
Atherton Built-up area
Atherton North Ward
Atherton South & Lilford Ward
Bamfurlong Built-up area
Bickershaw Built-up area
Bryn with Ashton-in-Makerfield North Ward
Douglas Ward
Golborne Built-up area
Golborne & Lowton West Ward
Haigh Parish
Higher Folds Built-up area
Hindley Built-up area
Hindley Green Ward
Ince Ward
Ince-in-Makerfield Built-up area
Land Gate Built-up area
Leigh Built-up area
Leigh Central & Higher Folds Ward
Leigh South Ward
Leigh West Ward
Lowton East Ward
Orrell Built-up area
Shevington Built-up area
Tyldesley Built-up area
Wigan Built-up area