Dartford scores 949 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 299th of 361 local authorities and 51 points below the UK benchmark. It ranks 11th of 13 authorities in Kent and 59th of 64 in the South East. Investment is its strongest pillar relative to its other scores, while Innovation and ESG sit furthest below the national benchmark.
The index measures the characteristics of active companies in each area, with corporate groups counted once. Because scores are averaged across those companies rather than summed, a smaller authority with active, high-growth businesses can rank above a larger one, making this a fair comparison between authorities of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Dartford's 949 places it below that national reference point across its 10,346 active companies. Each score also comes with a likely range, which shows how much the figure could move with a slightly different mix of companies; a score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on, and Dartford's composite range of 938 to 960 meets that bar.
South 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 Dartford's composite score of 949 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
931
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−69 points against the UK · Likely range 915–947 · 30% of the composite
Innovation covers patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector membership. Dartford scores 931 on this pillar, 69 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 321st of 361 authorities and outperforming only 11.1% of them. That places it among the lower-scoring authorities nationally for the innovation characteristics captured by these measures.
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
982
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−18 points against the UK · Likely range 960–1,004 · 30% of the composite
The Scaling pillar measures scaleup status, headcount growth and accelerator attendance. At 982, Dartford is 18 points below the UK benchmark and ranks 245th of 360 authorities. It outperforms 31.9% of authorities, making this its closest pillar to the national average and the area where its companies are most competitive relative to the UK.
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
932
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−68 points against the UK · Likely range 908–956 · 30% of the composite
Investment looks at whether companies raised equity in the last five years, how much they raised and whether a raise was a company's first ever. Dartford's Investment score of 932, 68 points below the UK benchmark, is nonetheless its highest-ranking pillar at 222nd of 360 authorities, outperforming 38.3% of them. Relative to its Innovation and ESG scores, equity activity among Dartford's companies is a comparative strength.
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
954
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−46 points against the UK · Likely range 938–970 · 10% of the composite
The ESG pillar captures clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. Dartford scores 954 on ESG, 46 points below the UK benchmark, and ranks 323rd of 361 authorities, outperforming just 10.5% of them. Despite having the narrowest gap to the benchmark in absolute terms among its lower-ranking pillars, this is Dartford's weakest position in the national rankings.
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 Kent
The chart below shows how Dartford's composite score of 949 compares with neighbouring authorities in Kent, where the county scores 967 and the runner-up authority, Dover, reaches 1,023.
What is Dartford's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
Dartford scores 949, placing it 299th of 361 local authorities and 51 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Dartford compare with the rest of Kent?
Dartford ranks 11th of 13 authorities in Kent and scores 18 points below the county average of 967. Dover is the strongest-scoring Kent authority in this comparison, reaching 1,023.
How does Dartford compare with the South East region?
Dartford ranks 59th of 64 authorities in the South East and sits 54 points below the regional score of 1,003.
Which pillar is Dartford's strongest?
Investment is Dartford's highest-ranking pillar, at 222nd of 360 authorities, outperforming 38.3% of them. It covers equity raised, equity raisers and first-time raisers over the last five years.
How many active companies does Dartford have in the index?
The index covers 10,346 active companies in Dartford, with corporate groups counted once rather than as individual registered entities.
What does the likely range on Dartford's score mean?
The likely range of 938 to 960 shows how much the composite score could move with a slightly different mix of companies. Scores are only published when this range is narrow enough to rely on, and Dartford's meets that standard.
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.
