Silkstone Common’s story
1 listed building
Historic England lists them inside Silkstone Common’s built-up area.
29% of its homes were built before 1919, against 15% in the typical UK town.
Explore the history →
Silkstone CommonSouth Yorkshire
Some 1,278 people live in this village, in South Yorkshire, Yorkshire and The Humber.
7 places within 12 milesMap →
Photo: John Fielding · CC BY-SA 2.0
Population
1,278
Census 2021 · Barnsley council
Median home
£251K
48 sales in 3 years
Median age
52.3
28% are 65+ · South Yorkshire 18%
Degree level
42%
of residents 16+ · England 34%
Walk, cycle, bus
9%
of commuters · England 27%
Is Silkstone Common a good place to live?
Schools do well: primary results beat 96% of towns in England. It is a safe place by the numbers (A+): 7.9 violent or sexual offences per 1,000 residents a year, plus 6.5 home and vehicle crimes. Its weakest subject is walkability (C−) — nearly one in ten commuters walk, cycle or take public transport. Homes are dear: homes sell for a median £251,000, about 5.9 times local household income.
Figures: crime, police.uk, averaged Sep 2023 to Aug 2026 · commuting, Census 2021 · prices, HM Land Registry, the last three years. An overall grade needs 2,500 residents, so Silkstone Common is graded subject by subject only.
What makes Silkstone Common stand out
The 3 things Silkstone Common does most differently from other towns.
Walk, cycle or public transport
Getting around
9% leave the car
of commuters walk, cycle or take public transport (England’s towns 27%)
89%of UK towns of 1,000 to 2,500 people
Safety
of UK towns of 1,000 to 2,500 people
Per resident, police.uk, 3 years.
Homes built before 1919
History
Against 15% in the typical UK town
Valuation Office Agency, homes by build period.
How Silkstone Common grades
Each subject compared with the 2,160 UK towns with an overall grade (schools within England), ordered by how far Silkstone Common is from typical. American towns are graded separately.
SchoolsPrimary results beat 96% of towns in EnglandA+Open →SafetyBased on crimes reported per residentA+Open →HealthLife expectancy 83.3 for men, 85.2 for womenAOpen →Jobs & incomeMean household income £56,424AOpen →Hazard risk0% of homes at high or medium risk of flooding from rivers or the seaAOpen →Walkability9% of commuters walk, cycle or take public transportC−Open →Cost of livingRent £696 a monthCOpen →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
History1 listed buildingCOpen →Outdoors63% live within 400 m of a park; 1.5 ha of public green space per 1,000 residentsCOpen →Civic life2.3 local charities per 1,000 residents; 0% live within 1 km of a libraryCOpen →
How TownRatings grades towns →
The data
Data highlights are ordered by what stands out in Silkstone Common.
SchoolsA+
Results at Silkstone Common’s schools beat 98% of towns in England
At the 7 primary schools within 3 km, 75% of pupils reach the expected standard in reading, writing and maths (three-year average). The one school in town appears below. The town’s primary school has 135 pupils.
A+School Grade
| School | Level | Pupils | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silkstone Common Junior and Infant SchoolLargest primary schoolPrimary | Primary | 135 | A |
Department for Education · GIAS, Key Stage 2 and GCSE resultsThe Schools page →
Safety
Per resident, Silkstone Common sees less crime than 95% of UK towns
Police figures for Silkstone Common’s built-up area: 18 crimes and 12 anti-social behaviour reports in the 12 months to August 2026. Among the 1,541 UK towns of 1,000 to 2,500 people, Silkstone Common has less crime per resident than 89% of them. Of all the crimes, 50% were violence and sexual offences. There were 6.8 anti-social behaviour reports per 1,000 residents (not graded), below South Yorkshire’s towns (13.4) and England’s towns (7.8) alike.
7.9violent and sexual offences per 1,000 a yearA+Safety Grade
Compared with UK towns its sizeLess crime per resident than 89% of the 1,541 UK towns of 1,000 to 2,500 people: less crime than most for its size. Context only, not part of the grade.
Reports by type · Sep 2025 to Aug 2026
Violence & sexual9
Vehicle crime3
Burglary2
Drugs2
Public order1
Bicycle theft1
Shoplifting0
Damage & arson0
Anti-social12
Not gradedAnti-social behaviour, shoplifting and other theft are shown but left out of the Safety Grade, which counts violence and crimes against homes and vehicles per resident.
7.9
violent and sexual offences per 1,000 residents a year, averaged Sep 2023 to Aug 2026
6.5
burglary, vehicle crime and damage per 1,000 a year, averaged Sep 2023 to Aug 2026
6.8
anti-social behaviour reports per 1,000 (not graded)
18
crimes recorded in the 12 months to August 2026
data.police.uk street-level crime · points inside the ONS built-up-area boundary · OGL · The police category of violence and sexual offences includes harassment and stalking.
Health
Bad health is less common in Silkstone Common than in South Yorkshire’s towns or across England’s towns: 4.1% of residents
Men in Silkstone Common can expect to live to 83.3, women to 85.2 (2019–23). 16% of residents have a disability, below South Yorkshire’s towns (21%) and England’s towns (17%) alike. Seeing a GP means leaving Silkstone Common: the nearest practice is 2.3 miles away.
84%good or very good healthAHealth Grade
General health, self-reported
Good or very good 84%Fair 12%Bad or very bad 4%
| Census 2021 | Silkstone Common | South Yorkshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Good or very good health | 84% | 79% | 82% |
| Bad or very bad health | 4.1% | 6.7% | 5.2% |
| Disabled (Equality Act) | 16% | 21% | 17% |
83.3
life expectancy at birth, men (2019–23)
85.2
life expectancy at birth, women
ONS Census 2021, general health and disability · OHID Fingertips, life expectancy 2019–23 · OGL · Because the census answers ignore age, a younger population lifts them; that is why the Health Grade is built on age-adjusted measures like life expectancy and early deaths.
Work & commuteJobs & income grade A
Only 17% of Silkstone Common’s commuters work within 5 km, fewer than in both South Yorkshire’s towns and England’s towns
The Census was taken on 21 March 2021, in lockdown, so 39% of workers were mainly at home; shares here are of those who travelled.
Unemployment benefit claims came to 1.2% of 16 to 64s in 2026, lower than both South Yorkshire’s towns (2.8%) and England’s towns (2.3%). Driving is how 89% of commuters got to work at the census. 2% of commuters who live in Silkstone Common also work there. At the census, nearly two in five workers worked mainly from home.
9%walk, cycle or ride
How commuters got to work · March 2021
Driving89%
On foot5%
Train2%
Bicycle1%
Bus1%
17%
of commuters travel under 5 km · England 45%
39%
worked mainly from home in March 2021
£56K
mean household income, before tax
1.2%
of 16 to 64s claim unemployment benefits (2026)
C−
Walkability: more walkable than 16% of UK towns
ONS Census 2021, method of travel and distance to work · ONS small-area income · DWP claimant count · OGL
History
Old homes shape Silkstone Common: 29% were built before 1919, more than in both South Yorkshire’s towns and England’s towns
The heritage lists give each building’s grade but not its age, so we don’t say which is oldest.
Its heritage register entries (1 listed building) are all Grade II. Per 10,000 residents, Silkstone Common counts 8 listed buildings.
1listed buildingsCHistory Grade
Listed buildings by grade · Historic England
Grade I0
Grade II*0
Grade II1
0
scheduled monuments
0
registered parks and gardens
29%
of homes built before 1919 · typical UK town 15%
8
listed buildings per 10,000 residents · typical UK town 24
Historic England list, October 2026 · Valuation Office Agency, homes by build period · OGL
HousingCost of living grade C
Most households in Silkstone Common own their home: 87%, more than in both South Yorkshire’s towns and England’s towns
Private renters make up 9% of households, lower than both South Yorkshire’s towns (18%) and England’s towns (21%). 4% of households live in social housing. Also worth knowing: half of the 48 standard sales inside Silkstone Common’s built-up area from September 2023 to August 2026 went for more than £251,000.
£251Kmedian sale
Median sale price · Sep 2023 to Aug 2026
Silkstone Common£251K
Typical UK town£277K
| By type | Median | Sales |
|---|---|---|
| Detached | £419,000 | 20 |
| Semi-detached | £247,000 | 9 |
| Terraced | £168,972 | 14 |
| Flat or maisonette | £165,000 | 5 |
87%
of households own their home · England 61%
9%
rent privately · England 21%
£696
average private rent a month, Barnsley council area
£2,386
council tax, Band D, 2026–27
HM Land Registry Price Paid · ONS private rents · MHCLG / Welsh Government council tax · ONS Census 2021 tenure · OGL
Who lives here
Children make up only 12% of Silkstone Common, fewer than in both South Yorkshire’s towns and England’s towns
28% of residents are 65 or over, above South Yorkshire’s towns (18%) and England’s towns (18%) alike. The 15-to-24 age group makes up one in ten residents. Half the people of Silkstone Common are older than 52.3. Graduates make up 42% of adults.
52.3median age
Silkstone CommonSouth YorkshireEngland
Ages · share of residents
28%
Qualifications · residents 16 and older
No qualifications14%
Apprenticeship6%
A levels or similar17%
Degree level42%
Women and men · all residents
51% women, 49% men
About 95 men for every 100 women. Across England, 51% of residents are women.
| Silkstone Common | South Yorkshire | England | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 15 | 12% | 17% | 18% |
| 15–24 | 10% | 13% | 12% |
| 25–44 | 14% | 26% | 27% |
| 45–64 | 36% | 26% | 25% |
| 65+ | 28% | 18% | 18% |
| No qualifications | 14% | 22% | 18% |
| Apprenticeship | 5.5% | 6.2% | 5.3% |
| A levels or similar | 17% | 18% | 17% |
| Degree level | 42% | 27% | 34% |
ONS Census 2021 · South Yorkshire and England: all residents of their built-up areas · OGL
Nearby attractions
All attractions →Wentworth Castle and 6 more in and around Silkstone Common
Museums, castles, gardens and days out in and near Silkstone Common. Best known first.
CastleWentworth Castle2.5 km outside town, to the southeast
MuseumCannon Hall4.1 km outside town, to the northwest
MuseumCawthorne Victoria Jubilee Museum3.3 km outside town, to the northMuseumMuseumDe Morgan Museum4.1 km outside town, to the northwestMuseumMuseumWortley Top Forge4.2 km outside town, to the southAttractionAttractionWigfield Farm4.8 km outside town, to the eastPlaces: © OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata
Photos: each place’s Wikidata image, from Wikimedia Commons under the licence below (our copy, resized).
Photo credits (3)
- Wentworth Castle: Klaus with K. Blue fringing removed by Digon3 13:34, 24 August 2007 (UTC), CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Cannon Hall: Dave Gorman, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Cawthorne Victoria Jubilee Museum: Nigel Homer, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Silkstone Common
15pages on Silkstone Common
The big questions
SafetyA+7.9 violent and sexual offences per 1,000 residents a year, averaged Sep 2023 to Aug 2026Cost of livingCMedian home £251K · rent £696 a monthHousing12 sold in 12 months · busiest street Ben Bank RoadSchoolsA+1 state schoolHealthALife expectancy 83.3 (men), 85.2 (women)Work & commuteA49% of working residents work in the townFlood & hazardsA0% of homes at high or medium flood risk
Out and about
Silkstone Common’s neighbours
The nearest built-up areas, from ONS’s 2022 boundaries. See them on the map →
SilkstoneDodworthThurgolandOxspringHoylandswaineBarugh Green and RedbrookPenistoneSilkstone Common
How the neighbours grade
| Town | People | Miles | Overall | Cost | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silkstone Common | 1,278 | — | — | C | A+ | A |
| Silkstone | 1,682 | 0.9 | — | C− | A− | A− |
| Dodworth | 5,981 | 1.7 | B− | B+ | C | C− |
| Thurgoland | 1,239 | 2 | — | C | B+ | B− |
| Oxspring | 1,196 | 2.1 | — | C− | A+ | B− |
| Hoylandswaine | 1,038 | 2.1 | — | D | A | A |
| Barugh Green and Redbrook | 7,545 | 2.7 | B+ | B− | B | C+ |
| Penistone | 8,541 | 2.9 | B+ | C+ | B− | C+ |
Silkstone, Thurgoland, Oxspring and Hoylandswaine have fewer than 2,500 residents, so they get subject grades but no overall grade. People: Census 2021. Miles: centre to centre.
Questions about Silkstone Common
Are schools in Silkstone Common good?
Primary results beat 96% of towns in England (Department for Education, Key Stage 2). One state school is inside the town; places are handled by Barnsley council.
How many listed buildings are there in Silkstone Common?
1 on Historic England’s list.
About Silkstone Common
Village in South Yorkshire, England
Silkstone Common is a built-up area of 1,278 people, in the Barnsley council area. TownRatings uses ONS’s 2022 built-up areas as towns: the physical town, as people mean the word, rather than a council district, so its figures cover the town itself.
Built from ONS geography and Census 2021
- Population
- 1,278 (Census 2021)
- Council
- Barnsley
- County
- South Yorkshire
- Region
- Yorkshire and The Humber
- Area
- 0.2 sq mi (0.4 km²)
- ONS code
- E63001200
Sources: ONS Census 2021, output areas summed to the ONS 2022 built-up area · HM Land Registry Price Paid (standard sales, September 2023 to August 2026) · ONS Price Index of Private Rents (August 2026, by council) · MHCLG and Welsh Government council tax, Band D 2026–27 (with parish precepts in England) · data.police.uk street-level crime, 36 months to August 2026, points inside the built-up-area boundary · ONS small-area life expectancy and healthy life expectancy, 2019 to 2023 (England and Wales), OHID Fingertips small-area indicators (England) and Census 2021 health, adjusted for age · ONS small-area income estimates (financial year ending 2023) · DWP claimant count via Nomis (January to August 2026) · Historic England, National Heritage List for England (listed buildings, scheduled monuments, registered parks and gardens, battlefields, World Heritage Sites), October 2026, inside the ONS 2022 built-up-area boundary · Valuation Office Agency, Council Tax: stock of properties by build period (31 March 2025) · TownRatings grades: our own summary of the data, ranked against UK towns only. All under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2026. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2026 (ONS boundaries). Northern Ireland: Source: NISRA; contains Land & Property Services data and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland information, © Crown copyright, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Scotland: contains National Records of Scotland data, Registers of Scotland data and SEPA data, © Crown copyright / © SEPA 2025, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.