Middlesbrough
Economic profile. Data last updated 2026-03-28.
Middlesbrough supports 64,825 workplace jobs with median earnings 9% 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 156,161. Population has grown by 13.4% over five years, significantly above 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 £30,253 are below the England median of £33,080.
Gender Pay Gap
The gender pay gap is 26.2% (male median £34,377, female median £25,365). This is 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 Middlesbrough's economy.
The most specialised sectors are Electricity, gas & air conditioning (LQ 2.13) and Human health & social work (LQ 2.08). Construction 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 Middlesbrough vs England, 2015-2025.
The median house price of £251,956 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 Middlesbrough to England and Great Britain averages.
Middlesbrough's median earnings of £30,253 are 8% below the England average of £32,909. House prices are 8% below the England median. The claimant rate of 5.1% is higher 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.