Rochdale scores 939 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 329th of 361 local authorities and 61 points below the UK benchmark. Its strongest pillar is Scaling, where it comes closest to the national average, while Investment is the area of greatest gap. All four pillar scores are published.
Each score is an average across the area's active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That approach means a smaller authority with highly active companies can rank above a larger one, making the index a fair comparison between authorities of very different sizes.
The UK benchmark is set at 1,000, so Rochdale's score of 939 sits 61 points below that national reference point across its 12,683 active companies. The likely range of 929 to 949 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 Rochdale's composite score of 939 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
932
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−68 points against the UK · Likely range 918–946 · 30% of the composite
Innovation measures patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector presence. Rochdale ranks 316th of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 932 and sitting 68 points below the UK benchmark, outperforming only 12.5% of authorities. That places it in the lower reaches nationally, suggesting limited concentration of patent-holding, grant-funded or spinout activity among local 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
976
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−24 points against the UK · Likely range 957–995 · 30% of the composite
Scaling captures whether companies are 20% scaleups, their headcount growth over recent years, and accelerator attendance. At 976, Rochdale's Scaling score is 24 points below the UK benchmark, its closest approach to the national average of any pillar. Ranking 269th of 360 authorities, it outperforms just over a quarter of areas, indicating that while employee growth among local companies still trails the UK, the gap here is comparatively modest.
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
904
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−96 points against the UK · Likely range 885–923 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raisers, the amount of equity raised and first-time raisers over the last five years. Rochdale's score of 904 is its weakest, sitting 96 points below the UK benchmark and ranking 341st of 360 authorities. Only 5.3% of authorities score lower, pointing to a relatively thin equity funding footprint among Rochdale's companies.
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
955
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−45 points against the UK · Likely range 940–970 · 10% of the composite
The ESG pillar reflects clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and a not-for-profit proxy. Rochdale scores 955 here, 45 points below the UK benchmark, and ranks 321st of 361 authorities. It outperforms 11.1% of areas, placing it in the lower tier nationally on this dimension.
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 Greater Manchester
The chart below sets Rochdale's composite score of 939 against its neighbours in Greater Manchester, where it ranks 7th of 10 authorities and sits 37 points below the county score of 976.
What is Rochdale's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
Rochdale scores 939, placing it 329th of 361 local authorities and 61 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Rochdale compare to the rest of Greater Manchester?
Rochdale ranks 7th of 10 authorities in Greater Manchester and scores 37 points below the county average of 976. Manchester, the county's leading authority, scores 1,015.
Which pillar is Rochdale's strongest?
Scaling is Rochdale's strongest pillar, with a score of 976 that sits 24 points below the UK benchmark. It ranks 269th of 360 authorities on this measure.
Where does Rochdale rank for Investment?
Investment is Rochdale's weakest pillar. Its score of 904 places it 341st of 360 authorities, 96 points below the UK benchmark, with only 5.3% of authorities scoring lower.
How many companies are counted in Rochdale's score?
The score is based on 12,683 active companies, with corporate groups counted once rather than as separate registered entities.
What does the likely range on Rochdale's score mean?
The likely range of 929 to 949 shows how much the composite score could shift with a slightly different mix of companies. Scores are only published when that range is narrow enough to be reliable.
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.
