Derry City and Strabane scores 974 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 187th of 361 local authorities and 26 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000. Its strongest result is on ESG, where it ranks 33rd nationally, well inside the top 10% of authorities. Investment is the area where it trails the UK benchmark most noticeably.
Each pillar score is an average across the area's active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That approach means a smaller authority with highly active companies can score above a much larger one, making comparisons between authorities of very different sizes fair.
A score of 1,000 represents the UK as a whole, so Derry City and Strabane's composite of 974 sits just below that national baseline. The likely range of 955 to 993 shows how much the score could shift with a slightly different mix of companies; a score is published only when that range is narrow enough to rely on.
Northern Ireland
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 Derry City and Strabane's composite score of 974 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
975
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−25 points against the UK · Likely range 946–1,004 · 30% of the composite
Innovation is measured through granted patent families filed in the last 20 years, academic spinout status, R&D grant value, tagging in innovative sectors, and presence in IS-8 sectors. Derry City and Strabane scores 975 on this pillar, 25 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 171st of 361 authorities and outperforming just over half of them.
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
974
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−26 points against the UK · Likely range 940–1,008 · 30% of the composite
The Scaling pillar captures whether companies are high-growth scaleups, their annualised headcount growth over recent years, and accelerator participation. At 974 and ranked 275th of 360 authorities, this is the area where Derry City and Strabane sits furthest down the national distribution, outperforming just under a quarter of authorities.
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
931
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−69 points against the UK · Likely range 898–964 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raised in the last five years, whether companies raised equity at all, and whether any of those deals were a company's first ever. Derry City and Strabane scores 931 here, 69 points below the UK benchmark and ranking 234th of 360, suggesting equity activity among local companies is relatively limited compared with the national picture.
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
1,105
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+105 points against the UK · Likely range 1,076–1,134 · 10% of the composite
ESG is measured through clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. With a score of 1,105, Derry City and Strabane ranks 33rd of 361 authorities, 105 points above the UK benchmark and outperforming over 90% of authorities nationally. This is a clear strength relative to the other pillars.
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 Northern Ireland
The chart below shows how Derry City and Strabane's composite score of 974 compares with neighbouring authorities across Northern Ireland.
What is Derry City and Strabane's overall score on the UK Local Growth Index?
Derry City and Strabane scores 974, placing it 187th of 361 local authorities and 26 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Derry City and Strabane compare with the rest of Northern Ireland?
It ranks 9th of 11 Northern Irish authorities, scoring 38 points below the Northern Ireland average of 1,012.
Which pillar is strongest for Derry City and Strabane?
ESG is its strongest pillar, with a score of 1,105, ranking 33rd nationally and placing it in the top 10% of all authorities.
Where does Derry City and Strabane rank on investment?
It ranks 234th of 360 authorities on Investment, with a score of 931, which is 69 points below the UK benchmark.
How many companies are counted in the Derry City and Strabane score?
The score is based on 5,226 active companies, with corporate groups counted once rather than as individual registered entities.
What does the likely range mean for Derry City and Strabane's score?
The likely range of 955 to 993 shows how much the composite score could move with a slightly different mix of companies in the area. Scores are only published when this range is narrow enough to rely on.
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.
