Socio-economic statistics for Highfield, Gateshead

Socio-economic statistics for Highfield, Gateshead

We have collated a series of socio-economic statistics for Highfield in Gateshead from UK government sources such as the 2021 Census and the Index of Multiple Deprivation. They should give you a broad snapshot of the area and the surrounding locations. Are the residents of Highfield older than the national average or younger? What is the population of Highfield and Gateshead? Is Highfield an unemployment hotspot? This page should provide you with the answers.

Highfield Unemployment Statistics

Since the introduction of Universal Credit, The Department for Work & Pensions have not issued any statistics (in our view) that can be used to ascertain the levels of unemployment or under employment in the UK, just meaningless geographic counts. However, the Office of National Statistics does publish claimant counts of people receiving out of work benefits, be that legacy Jobseeker’s Allowance or Universal Credit as a proportion of people over 16. These figures are usually updated once a month and are for Local Authority Districts and Unitary Authority Districts. So below are the figures of Gateshead.
Area Unemployed Yearly Change
Gateshead 4.6% -0.5%
North East 4.3% -0.5%
England 3.8% -0.3%
UK 3.7% -0.3%
Source: Office for National Statistics (ONS), Last Retrieved: March 2023
The 2021 census had data on people who were economically active (seeking work) yet unemployed on Census day (Sunday March 21st 2021). These statitics do cover Highfield on a ward level. However, it has to be noted that the Census day was during the height of the Covid19 pandemic and therefore are not reflective of normal levels of unemployment. For example, between March 2020 and June 2020 people claiming Universal Credit doubled in most areas of the United Kingdom and then steadily declined up to the day of the Census and beyond. This data also contains the proportion of people in part-time work (working between 1-35 hours per week), which maybe an indicator of under employment in Highfield.
Economic Status Proportion
In Employment 48.49%
In Part-Time Work 28.12%
Unemployed 6.02%
71.88% of the people in work, are in full-time employment in Highfield

Highfield & Gateshead Immigration Statistics

We have analysed the Census 2021 raw data on country of birth and compiled immigration statistics as percentages of the population. All percentages have been rounded to two decimal places. Below are the figures for Highfield in the Gateshead local area district.

Highfield has a lower rate of immigrants than Gateshead, the North East region and England as a whole.
Area Born in UK Born outside UK
Chopwell and Rowlands Gill 96.04% 3.96%
Gateshead 92.57% 7.43%
North East 93.23% 6.77%
England 82.65% 17.35%

Highfield compared to other wards in Gateshead

# Ward Born in UK Born outside UK
1 Bridges 77.61% 22.39%
2 Saltwell 81.08% 18.92%
3 Lobley Hill and Bensham 86.56% 13.44%
4 Dunston and Teams 86.71% 13.29%
5 Felling 87.57% 12.43%
6 Deckham 88.74% 11.26%
7 High Fell 90.84% 9.16%
8 Birtley 94.48% 5.52%
9 Lamesley 94.64% 5.36%
10 Pelaw and Heworth 95.07% 4.93%
11 Low Fell 95.32% 4.68%
12 Chowdene 95.64% 4.36%
13 Whickham North 95.77% 4.23%
14 Windy Nook and Whitehills 95.97% 4.03%
15 Chopwell and Rowlands Gill 96.04% 3.96%
16 Wardley and Leam Lane 96.19% 3.81%
17 Dunston Hill and Whickham East 96.36% 3.64%
18 Ryton, Crookhill and Stella 96.44% 3.56%
19 Blaydon 96.64% 3.36%
20 Whickham South and Sunniside 97.27% 2.73%
21 Winlaton and High Spen 97.34% 2.66%
22 Crawcrook and Greenside 97.5% 2.5%
'; Highfield is ranked 15 out of 22 wards in Gateshead for the number of residents born outside of the UK.

How many residents own or rent their home in Highfield and Gateshead

We have taken the raw data from the 2021 census and calculated what proportion of people in Highfield either own or rent their home. All percentages have been rounded to two decimal places. 61.66 of residents own their home either outright or mortgaged. 38.34 of Highfield residents rent their home either privately or through a social landlord.
Area Owned Rented
Chopwell and Rowlands Gill 61.66% 38.34%
Gateshead 57.99% 42.01%
North East 60.27% 39.73%
England 61.31% 38.69%

Highfield has a higher level of home ownership than than the national average.

Highfield compared to other wards in Gateshead

# Ward Owned Rented
1 Whickham South and Sunniside 81.34% 18.66%
2 Low Fell 79.2% 20.8%
3 Dunston Hill and Whickham East 78.16% 21.84%
4 Crawcrook and Greenside 76% 24%
5 Winlaton and High Spen 72.71% 27.29%
6 Ryton, Crookhill and Stella 70.5% 29.5%
7 Wardley and Leam Lane 64.56% 35.44%
8 Whickham North 64.22% 35.78%
9 Chopwell and Rowlands Gill 61.66% 38.34%
10 Birtley 60.72% 39.28%
11 Lamesley 60.44% 39.56%
12 Pelaw and Heworth 59.81% 40.19%
13 Chowdene 58.99% 41.01%
14 Blaydon 55.47% 44.53%
15 Windy Nook and Whitehills 51.53% 48.47%
16 Lobley Hill and Bensham 49.26% 50.74%
17 Saltwell 45.95% 54.05%
18 High Fell 42.57% 57.43%
19 Dunston and Teams 42.22% 57.78%
20 Deckham 41.51% 58.49%
21 Bridges 35.39% 64.61%
22 Felling 33.96% 66.04%
Highfield is ranked 9 out of 22 wards in Gateshead for the percentage of home owners.

Highfield Health Statistics

Chopwell and Rowlands Gill has a significantly lower proportion of residents (>5%) describing their health as very good than the national average for England.
Area VG G F B VB
Chopwell and Rowlands Gill 40.05% 34.15% 17.46% 6.4% 1.94%
Gateshead 43.75% 33.53% 15.35% 5.67% 1.7%
North East 44.58% 33.46% 14.95% 5.41% 1.61%
England 48.49% 33.71% 12.65% 3.98% 1.17%
VG = Very Good, G = Good, F = Fair, B = Bad & VB = Very Bad

Highfield Age Distribution Statistics

We have taken the raw data from the 2021 Census and the calculated the proportion of age groups in Chopwell and Rowlands Gill.
Age Band Proportion
4 & under
5 - 9 years
10 - 15 years
16 - 19 years
20 - 24 years
25 - 34 years
35 - 49 years
50 - 64 years
65 - 74 years
75 - 84 years
85 years & over

Highfield Education Statistics

We have taken the raw data from the 2021 census to found of the level of education Highfield residents have in terms of formal qualifications as a percentage. The UK government breaks qualifications down into 7 levels. A detailed explanation of these levels can be found here. However, the Census groups these into just 4 \'levels\'. Here are some examples of the qualifications each census level represents when not stated;

  • Level 1 - GCSE grades D, E, F, or G & below
  • Level 2 - GCSE A*, A, B, C or O Level grades A, B or C
  • Level 3 - A or AS qualification at any grade
  • Level 4 - HNC, Bachelors Degree, Masters Degree or Phd

In this first table we have compared Highfield to the national average for England.
Level Chopwell and Rowlands Gill England
No Qualifications 20.76% 18.08%
Level 1 10.83% 9.69%
Level 2 13.46% 13.32%
Apprenticeship 7.14% 5.32%
Level 3 15.85% 16.92%
Level 4 29.32% 33.92%

What are the occupations of the residents of Highfield?

The largest employment sector in Highfield is Professional Occupations. The smallest employment sector is Process Plant & Machine Operatives.
Sector Proportion
Professional Occupations 19.21%
Associate Professional & Technical 13.21%
Caring, leisure & Other Services 10.86%
Skilled Trades 10.81%
Managers, Directors & Senior Officials 10.14%
Elementary Occupations 10.03%
Administrative & Secretarial 8.82%
Process Plant & Machine Operatives 6.99%

What is the population of Highfield and Gateshead?

The table below contains the populations figures for each ward in Gateshead including Highfield. These population ONS figures are estimated are dated Mid 2020.

Ward Population
Gateshead Total 0



Last updated: 20/02/2024, Additional Sources: Office for National Statistics & Department for Work & Pensions.

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