Darlington scores 957 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 263rd of 361 local authorities and 43 points below the UK benchmark. Its relative strength lies in Investment, where it outperforms more than half of all authorities. Innovation is the weakest pillar, sitting 62 points below the UK benchmark.
Each score is an average across active companies in the area, with corporate groups counted once. That makes it possible to compare Darlington fairly with much larger or smaller authorities, because the score reflects how active local companies are rather than how big the local economy is.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Darlington's 957 places it below the national benchmark across the mix of companies active here. Every score also comes with a likely range, showing how much it could move with a slightly different mix of companies; a score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on.
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 Darlington's composite score of 957 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
938
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−62 points against the UK · Likely range 915–961 · 30% of the composite
Innovation captures the presence of granted patent families, university spinouts, R&D grant values, and activity in innovative and IS-8 sectors. Darlington ranks 299th of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 938 and sitting 62 points below the UK benchmark, outperforming only 17.2% of authorities. This signals that companies here show relatively limited engagement with the activities the pillar tracks.
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
969
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−31 points against the UK · Likely range 938–1,000 · 30% of the composite
The Scaling pillar measures scaleup status, headcount growth and accelerator attendance. Darlington ranks 297th of 360 authorities, with a score of 969, placing it 31 points below the UK benchmark. While that gap is smaller than on Innovation, it still indicates that companies here are adding staff and reaching scaleup status at a below-average rate nationally.
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
950
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−50 points against the UK · Likely range 914–986 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raising activity, amounts raised and first-time equity raisers, all over the last five years. At 156th of 360 authorities, this is Darlington's strongest pillar, outperforming 56.7% of authorities. Even so, the score of 950 remains 50 points below the UK benchmark, suggesting meaningful equity activity relative to peers in its county and region, though still below the national level.
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
1,000
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
±0 points against the UK · Likely range 975–1,025 · 10% of the composite
The ESG pillar draws on signals including clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance indicators, and a not-for-profit proxy. Darlington scores 1,000 on ESG, level with the UK benchmark, ranking 216th of 361 authorities. This means local companies, on balance, match the national picture on these measures.
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 shows how Darlington's composite score of 957 compares with its neighbours across Durham and the North East.
Darlington scores 957 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 263rd of 361 local authorities. That puts it 43 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Darlington compare with the rest of Durham?
Darlington ranks 2nd of 3 local authorities in Durham and scores 25 points below the county's score of 982.
How does Darlington compare with the North East region?
Darlington ranks 10th of 12 local authorities in the North East and sits 37 points below the regional score of 994.
Which pillar is Darlington's strongest?
Investment is Darlington's strongest pillar, ranking 156th of 360 authorities and outperforming 56.7% of local authorities. It measures equity raising activity, amounts raised and first-time equity raisers over the last five years.
Where does Darlington rank on Innovation?
Darlington ranks 299th of 361 authorities on Innovation, scoring 938 and sitting 62 points below the UK benchmark. Innovation covers granted patent families, university spinouts, R&D grant values and activity in innovative and IS-8 sectors.
How many companies are counted in Darlington's score?
The index covers 5,009 active companies in Darlington, 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.
