About Gateshead

^{(Last updated: November 2025)}

Gateshead is located on the southern bank of the river Tyne, opposite Newcastle upon Tyne to the north, and bordering County Durham to the south, Northumberland to the west and South Tyneside/Sunderland to the east.

Gateshead is a constantly changing borough combining modern facilities with a fascinating heritage. The borough stretches almost 13 miles along the south bank of the river Tyne and covers 55 square miles, making it the largest of the five Tyne and Wear authorities.

Gateshead is a borough of contrasts. It has a large urban hub centred around the main town centre area in Bridges ward and has a number of smaller urban centres and busy employment areas such as Blaydon, Whickham, Felling and Birtley. However, around two thirds of the borough is rural with numerous small settlements such as Kibblesworth, Sunniside, Chopwell and High Spen.

Built on traditional industries of mining and heavy engineering, the 1930s saw diversification through the development of the Team Valley Trading Estate (TVTE), the first trading estate of its type in the UK. Centrally located for the region, the TVTE has become prominent for transport and distribution activities and is the borough's most prestigious employment centre; attracting the highest number of inward commuters to the borough on a daily basis.

The 1970s saw the decline of many of the region's traditional industries. A high proportion of those who lived in Gateshead worked in these industries, resulting in unemployment and high levels of deprivation and financial and social exclusion, the impact of which is still being felt today.

In the 1980s Gateshead saw the development of the MetroCentre, one of the UK's and Europe's largest shopping centres.

The urban core, shared with Newcastle, is the focus of regeneration, promoting growth through the digital economy, knowledge-based businesses and cultural-led regeneration. Major initiatives such as the The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead College and the Gateshead Millennium Bridge have all been developed over the years.

Gateshead has a population of around 202,760 (ONS Mid Year Population Estimates 2024) living in 89,000 households (ONS Census 2021). After the 1980s, the population reduced by around 13,000, but in the decades that followed grew significantly. Between the last two major census of the population, 2011 and 2021, the population reduced by just over 4,000. However population estimates since then suggest that reduction has now reversed.

Recent estimates of the population suggest that whilst the population is ageing, there have also been increasing numbers of younger people. Much of the increase in younger people is due to international migration into Gateshead. Since 2021 the proportion of young people aged under 25 has increased by 5.3% (+2,800 people). The proportion aged 25 to 44 increased by 7.9% (+4,000 people). Over the same period there is estimated to have been a reduction in those aged 45 to 64 of -2.8% (-1,500 people) and a very small decrease of those aged 65 to 74 of -1.4% (-300 people). The largest increase is still in those aged 75+ of 9.2% (+1,700 people).

Current population projections from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) suggest that the ageing population trend will continue into the future, becoming more pronounced if life expectancy increases. However, it should be noted that the current projections are based on estimates from the five years leading up to 2022, which largely covers the period before recent increases in younger people. The next release of population projections may therefore not show as pronounced an ageing population trend.

It is estimated that around 6.5% (12,660) of the population are from a non-White group (ONS Census 2021). The non-White population has increased from around 1.6% in 2001 to 3.7% in 2011 and then to 6.5% in 2021 (ONS Census 2001, 2011 and 2021).

Within Gateshead, socio-economic inequalities exist as illustrated by the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation (MHCLG). Gateshead is ranked 53rd most deprived out of 296 local authorities in England. Within Gateshead there are 24 areas or LSOAs which fall within the 10% most deprived areas in England, equating to over 37,700 people or 19% of the population of Gateshead. Much of this deprivation is based within the central and eastern urban areas of the borough.

Around 92,000 or 71.4% of working age (16-64) Gateshead residents are in employment which compares with an average of 75.8% for England as a whole (ONS Annual Population Survey Y/E Jun 2025), and around 4,990 or 4.0% are unemployed claiming jobseekers allowance or universal credit which compares with an average of 4.1% for England as a whole (DWP Claimant Count Oct 2025).

The average household income in Gateshead is just over £44,100 per year, compared with an England average of just over £54,200 (CACI Paycheck, 2025).

At 76.7 for men, and 81.4 for women, life expectancy is lower than the England averages of 79.1 and 83.1 respectively. These latest life expectancy figures continue the trend of the previous year (ONS 2021-23). Around 22% of people in Gateshead reported that their health limits day to day activities compared to around 17% nationally, but only 8% are in bad health (ONS Census 2021).

56% of housing is owner occupied, and 19% is managed by Gateshead Council. 20% of housing is rented from a private landlord or letting agency and 5% from a registered social landlord (Gateshead Council, Sep 2025).

In 2023/24 at Key Stage 4, the percentage of pupils achieving a standard 9-4 pass in English is 74%. The national average based upon all schools is also 75%. The percentage of pupils achieving a standard 0-4 pass in maths is 73% compared with the national average of 70% (DfE School Performance Tables 2023/24).

'Attainment 8' is a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications. In Gateshead, in 2023/24, the score was 46.2 compared with the national average of 45.9 (DfE School Performance Tables 2023/24).