County Durham
Economic profile. Data last updated 2026-03-28.
County Durham supports 189,835 workplace jobs with median earnings 10% below the England average.
Source: ONS, Nomis, HM Land Registry, 2024-2025·Last updated March 2026
Demographics & Population
Mid-year population estimates (2024) and Census 2021 age profile.
Mid-year population estimate of 538,011. Population has grown by 5.4% over five years, significantly below the England rate of 11.4%.
Source: ONS Mid-Year Population Estimates, Census 2021, 2024·Last updated March 2026
Earnings & Income
Gross annual earnings distribution, 2025.
Median annual earnings of £29,718 are below the England median of £33,080. The 90/10 earnings ratio is 4.5x (England: 6.2x), indicating relatively high wage inequality.
Gender Pay Gap
The gender pay gap is 23.6% (male median £33,608, female median £25,667). This is significantly below the England gap of 28.2%.
Source: ASHE via Nomis, 2025·Last updated March 2026
Industry Structure
Location quotients and shift-share analysis for County Durham's economy.
The most specialised sectors are Water supply & waste management (LQ 2.31) and Public administration & defence (LQ 1.86). Education shows the strongest local competitive advantage. Accommodation & food service underperforms its national sectoral trend.
Source: BRES via Nomis, 2020-2024·Last updated March 2026
Housing & Property Market
Estimated house prices for County Durham vs England, 2015-2025.
The median house price of £247,500 is below the England median of £290,000. The price-to-earnings ratio is 8.3x. Prices have risen 1.8% over the past year.
Source: HM Land Registry, Census 2021, 2015-2025·Last updated March 2026
Benchmark to national figures
Comparing County Durham to England and Great Britain averages.
County Durham's median earnings of £29,718 are 10% below the England average of £32,909. House prices are 10% below the England median. The claimant rate of 3.2% is lower than the GB average of 3.5%.
Country averages computed from local authority-level data (England: 294 LAs, GB: 348 LAs). May differ slightly from official published national statistics.