Gawthorpe is an electoral ward in the non-metropolitan district of Burnley in Lancashire, England. The population of the Burnley Ward at the 2011 census was 6,148. The ward covers the majority of the town of Padiham, meaning it is a largely urban area. It is part of the Padiham and Burnley West electoral division of Lancashire County Council, the Burnley UK Parliament constituency. Prior to Brexit in 2020 it was part of the North West England European Parliament constituency.

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (August 2010)

Burnley Borough Council Elections: Gawthorpe Ward
Election		Party	Councillor Elected	Majority (%)
2003		Labour	Linda Gauton	3.7
2004		Labour	Andy Tatchell
2006		Labour	Frank Cant	1.8
2007		Labour	John Harbour	27.9
2008		Labour	Andy Tatchell	30.1
2010		Labour	Frank Cant	17.5
2011		Labour	John Harbour	38.6
2012		Labour	Andy Tatchell	57.9
2014		Labour	Frank Cant	42.5
2015		Labour	John Harbour	36.5
2016		Labour	Andy Tatchell	33.8
2018		Labour	Frank Cant	5.6
2019		Labour	John Harbour	0.7
2021		Conservative	Karen Ingham	17.8
2022		Labour	Alun Lewis	21.3
2023		Labour	John Harbour

The ward is thought to date from the 1974 formation of the borough, however it was extended into the Hapton with Park ward in the 2002 reorganisation.

The ward elects three councillors, each for a period of 4 years.

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (August 2010)

The ward contains approximately the eastern half of the civil parish of Padiham, but not the lands of Gawthorpe Hall for which it is named. The western boundary follows Slade Lane from Huntroyde Hall in the north, staying with the road as it turns into Moor Lane, before crossing Burnley Road and briefly following the River Calder. It then cuts back to the east, along the route of the disused North Lancashire Loop railway to Station road, following as it turns into Thompson Street, then Abingdon Road. Its other boundaries are the same as those of the parish.

The ward contains Shuttleworth College, Padiham Primary School and a Nursery. Also Padiham Town Hall, Police Station and Fire Station, as well as the retail district and Market. As previously mentioned the River Calder passes through the ward, as does the A671. The ward is almost entirely urban in nature, with a single farm in its north-west corner. In 2001, 75.8% of dwellings where in the lowest Council Tax band.

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (August 2010)

The United Kingdom Census 2001 showed a total resident population for this ward of 6,119 of which 2,918 are male and 3,201 female, with a mean age of 37.92 Years. The racial composition of the ward is 98% White and 1.23% South Asian or South Asian / British. The largest religious groups are Christian (79.54%) and Muslim (1.05%). 58.8% of adults between the ages of 16 and 74 are classed as economically active and in work.

• Ward boundaries map at Lancashire MARIO (Note: highly recommend opening this link in a new window or tab)
• Office for National Statistics (ONS) - Gawthorpe Ward
• Lancashire MADE public - Gawthorpe Ward
• Dept. for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) - Gawthorpe Ward