Socio-economic statistics for South Shields, South Tyneside

Socio-economic statistics for South Shields, South Tyneside

We have collated a series of socio-economic statistics for South Shields in South Tyneside 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 South Shields older than the national average or younger? What is the population of South Shields and South Tyneside? Is South Shields an unemployment hotspot? This page should provide you with the answers.

South Shields Education Statistics

We have taken the raw data from the 2021 census to found of the level of education South Shields 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 South Shields to the national average for England.
Level Simonside and Rekendyke England
No Qualifications 25.06% 18.08%
Level 1 11.65% 9.69%
Level 2 14.85% 13.32%
Apprenticeship 7.41% 5.32%
Level 3 17.51% 16.92%
Level 4 21.27% 33.92%

South Shields 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 South Tyneside.
Area Unemployed Yearly Change
South Tyneside 5.9% -0.6%
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 South Shields 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 South Shields.
Economic Status Proportion
In Employment 45.86%
In Part-Time Work 26.85%
Unemployed 11.43%
73.15% of the people in work, are in full-time employment in South Shields

How many residents own or rent their home in South Shields and South Tyneside

We have taken the raw data from the 2021 census and calculated what proportion of people in South Shields either own or rent their home. All percentages have been rounded to two decimal places. 39.62 of residents own their home either outright or mortgaged. 60.38 of South Shields residents rent their home either privately or through a social landlord.
Area Owned Rented
Simonside and Rekendyke 39.62% 60.38%
South Tyneside 56.61% 43.39%
North East 60.27% 39.73%
England 61.31% 38.69%

South Shields has a significantly lower level of home ownership than the national average. This is indicative or an economically deprived area.

South Shields compared to other wards in South Tyneside

# Ward Owned Rented
1 Cleadon and East Boldon 91.08% 8.92%
2 Whitburn and Marsden 67.2% 32.8%
3 Westoe 66.35% 33.65%
4 Hebburn South 65.26% 34.74%
5 Boldon Colliery 62.33% 37.67%
6 Horsley Hill 61.63% 38.37%
7 Harton 60.52% 39.48%
8 West Park (South Tyneside) 58.5% 41.5%
9 Monkton 58.47% 41.53%
10 Fellgate and Hedworth 57% 43%
11 Whiteleas 53.98% 46.02%
12 Hebburn North 51.79% 48.21%
13 Cleadon Park 51.08% 48.92%
14 Beacon and Bents 49.64% 50.36%
15 Bede (South Tyneside) 46.69% 53.31%
16 Primrose (South Tyneside) 43.12% 56.88%
17 Simonside and Rekendyke 39.62% 60.38%
18 Biddick and All Saints 38.86% 61.14%
South Shields is ranked 17 out of 18 wards in South Tyneside for the percentage of home owners.

What are the occupations of the residents of South Shields?

The largest employment sector in South Shields is Elementary Occupations. The smallest employment sector is Managers, Directors & Senior Officials.
Sector Proportion
Elementary Occupations 13.59%
Professional Occupations 12.37%
Caring, leisure & Other Services 11.98%
Skilled Trades 11.74%
Associate Professional & Technical 10.91%
Process Plant & Machine Operatives 10.82%
Administrative & Secretarial 9.98%
Managers, Directors & Senior Officials 6.88%

South Shields Health Statistics

Simonside and Rekendyke 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
Simonside and Rekendyke 40.05% 32.45% 17.26% 7.83% 2.41%
South Tyneside 43.75% 33.07% 15.52% 5.89% 1.77%
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

How has the health of residents in South Tyneside changed since 2011?

South Tyneside residents who describe their health as either good or very good has increased by 1.07% between the 2011 and 2021 census.
Year VG G F B VB
2011 42.76% 32.99% 16% 6.34% 1.91%
2021 43.75% 33.07% 15.52% 5.89% 1.77%
VG = Very Good, G = Good, F = Fair, B = Bad & VB = Very Bad

South Shields Age Distribution Statistics

We have taken the raw data from the 2021 Census and the calculated the proportion of age groups in Simonside and Rekendyke.
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

South Shields & South Tyneside 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 South Shields in the South Tyneside local area district.

Area Born in UK Born outside UK
Simonside and Rekendyke 91.53% 8.47%
South Tyneside 95.56% 4.44%
North East 93.23% 6.77%
England 82.65% 17.35%

South Shields compared to other wards in South Tyneside

# Ward Born in UK Born outside UK
1 Beacon and Bents 85.27% 14.73%
2 Simonside and Rekendyke 91.53% 8.47%
3 West Park 94.41% 5.59%
4 Westoe 95.06% 4.94%
5 Hebburn North 95.45% 4.55%
6 Biddick and All Saints 95.56% 4.44%
7 Cleadon Park 95.77% 4.23%
8 Primrose 96.52% 3.48%
9 Boldon Colliery 96.66% 3.34%
10 Horsley Hill 96.79% 3.21%
11 Cleadon and East Boldon 96.93% 3.07%
12 Harton 96.98% 3.02%
13 Monkton 97.08% 2.92%
14 Hebburn South 97.11% 2.89%
15 Fellgate and Hedworth 97.17% 2.83%
16 Bede 97.3% 2.7%
17 Whitburn and Marsden 97.67% 2.33%
18 Whiteleas 97.98% 2.02%
'; South Shields is ranked 2 out of 18 wards in South Tyneside for the number of residents born outside of the UK.

What is the population of South Shields and South Tyneside?

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

Ward Population
Beacon and Bents 9406
Bede 7553
Biddick and All Saints 9095
Boldon Colliery 9385
Cleadon and East Boldon 8381
Cleadon Park 7659
Fellgate and Hedworth 7366
Harton 8265
Hebburn North 9338
Hebburn South 8809
Horsley Hill 9174
Monkton 8162
Primrose 8096
Simonside and Rekendyke 9299
West Park 7576
Westoe 8105
Whitburn and Marsden 7355
Whiteleas 8109
South Tyneside Total 151133



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

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