County Durham scores 994 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 116th of 361 authorities and 6 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000. Its strongest result is on ESG, where it sits in the top third of all authorities and 52 points above the UK. Innovation and Investment are also in the top third nationally, while Scaling sits close to the UK average.
Each pillar score is an average across County Durham's 18,986 active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That averaging means the score reflects how active local companies are rather than the sheer size of the local economy, which makes it a fair basis for comparing authorities of very different scales.
A score of 1,000 represents the UK as a whole, so County Durham's 994 places it just below the national benchmark. The likely range of 983 to 1,005 shows how much the score could move with a slightly different mix of companies; because that range is narrow, the score is reliable enough to publish.
North East
Each dot shows the pillar score on a scale where the UK as a whole scores 1,000, marked by the line. The paler band is the likely range. The composite weights Innovation, Scaling and Investment 30% each and ESG 10%.
How County Durham's composite score of 994 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
996
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−4 points against the UK · Likely range 978–1,014 · 30% of the composite
Innovation covers patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector tags. County Durham ranks 117th of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 996, which is 4 points below the UK benchmark and places it in the top third nationally, ahead of 67.6% of authorities.
Tagged with any industry or buzzword on a curated list of innovative sectors, for example chips, biotechnology, quantum, AI, data, SaaS, FinTech and CleanTech. About 2.5% of companies.
Tagged with any of the eight IS-8 sectors: advanced manufacturing, clean energy, creative industries, digital and technologies, financial services, life sciences, professional and business services, and defence. About 18% of companies.
We publish a score for each pillar, not for the measures inside it. The percentage beside each measure is how much it counts towards the pillar score. Select the lock to see the companies behind a measure on the Beauhurst platform.
Scaling
998
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−2 points against the UK · Likely range 982–1,014 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures whether companies are 20% scaleups, their three-year headcount growth rates and whether they have attended an accelerator. At 998, County Durham's Scaling score is 2 points below the UK benchmark and ranks 173rd of 360 authorities, roughly in line with the national average.
Annualised three-year employee growth rate over the latest four years of accounts, including group accounts, for companies with five or more employees at the start (capped). All other companies count as zero.
We publish a score for each pillar, not for the measures inside it. The percentage beside each measure is how much it counts towards the pillar score. Select the lock to see the companies behind a measure on the Beauhurst platform.
Investment
970
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−30 points against the UK · Likely range 950–990 · 30% of the composite
Investment captures equity raisers, the value of equity raised and first-time raisers over the last five years. County Durham's score of 970 is 30 points below the UK benchmark, yet it still ranks 104th of 360 authorities, outperforming 71.1% of all authorities on this pillar.
Whether the company's first equity deal ever was in the last five years. A first-time raiser always counts as an equity raiser too.
We publish a score for each pillar, not for the measures inside it. The percentage beside each measure is how much it counts towards the pillar score. Select the lock to see the companies behind a measure on the Beauhurst platform.
ESG
1,052
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+52 points against the UK · Likely range 1,037–1,067 · 10% of the composite
ESG reflects clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals and a not-for-profit proxy. County Durham's ESG score of 1,052 is 52 points above the UK benchmark, its strongest pillar result, and ranks 96th of 361 authorities, ahead of 73.4% of all authorities.
Is limited by guarantee without share capital, a rough indicator of non-profit status.
We publish a score for each pillar, not for the measures inside it. The percentage beside each measure is how much it counts towards the pillar score. Select the lock to see the companies behind a measure on the Beauhurst platform.
Compared to Durham
The chart below places County Durham's composite score alongside its neighbours in the North East region, where it ranks 5th of 12 authorities and scores level with the regional average of 994.
County Durham scores 994 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 116th of 361 local authorities and 6 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does County Durham compare to the rest of the North East?
County Durham ranks 5th of 12 authorities in the North East and scores level with the regional average of 994.
Which pillar is County Durham strongest on?
ESG is County Durham's strongest pillar, with a score of 1,052, which is 52 points above the UK benchmark and ranks 96th of 361 authorities.
How does County Durham rank for Investment?
County Durham ranks 104th of 360 authorities on Investment, with a score of 970, which is 30 points below the UK benchmark but still ahead of 71.1% of all authorities.
What does the likely range on County Durham's score mean?
The likely range of 983 to 1,005 shows how much the composite score could move with a slightly different mix of companies. Because that range is narrow, the published score is reliable.
How many active companies are counted in County Durham's score?
The score is based on 18,986 active companies in County Durham, with corporate groups counted once rather than as individual registered entities.
Explore the data behind the index
Every score on this page is built from real, named company activity, patent filings, fundraisings, spinouts and scaleups. Book a call to see the data behind any authority's score, and how Beauhurst can support your work.
