Population

Historically, local authorities have always analysed data to determine their commissioning priorities based on the needs of the local population. This section exposes much of that data to allow anyone to interrogate and analyse it.

Population data in this section comes from the Office for National Statistics for ages 15 and above and from published external research. It is anticipated that data from local systems will be integrated in due course to provide additional local prevalence rates.

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Gateshead has a population of around 196,200 people. (See also detailed age breakdown tables and change over time charts)

The population is ageing: it is projected that by 2043 there will be an additional 12,316 people aged 65 or older, an increase of 29%. There will also be a decrease in the number of children and young people aged 0-15 of around 3,529 or 10%. (See also detailed population projections tables)

The working age population is now effectively 16-65 as state pension age for men and women is now set at age 66. The working age population is projected to decrease by 3,962 or 3% by 2043. Currently those aged over 60 are far less likely to be economically active. For example only 55% of those aged 60-64 are economically active compared to 80% of those aged 25 to 59. However this has increased since 2011 when only 41% aged 60-64 were active.

Only 5 Gateshead wards increased in population size between 2011 and 2021. Lamesley ward has seen the largest increase in population of 1,107 people. There has also been a significantly large increase in Ryton, Crookhill and Stella of 671 people. There were smaller increases in Saltwell (+300), Crawcrook and Greenside (+222), and Winlaton and High Spen (+174). The largest decreases were in Whickham North (-724), Dunston and Teams (-609), and Lobley HIll and Bensham (-596). Although the majority of wards have seen a decrease in overall population size, all except 2 wards have seen increases in the population aged 65+. By far the largest increase in those aged 65+ was in Whickham South with an increase of 643 between 2011 and 2021. This was followed by Crawcrook and Greenside (+470), and Wardley and Leam Lane (+426). (See also current ward population estimates).

Download Census 2021 first release summary briefing as a PDF (PDF) [154KB]

The decennial Census is the most complete source of information about the population available. In Spring 2021, more than 20 million households across England and Wales completed Census questionnaires (97% response rate). Locally, Gateshead also had a 97% response rate.

Since then, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have worked to ensure the data is of the highest quality and to ensure the confidentiality of respondents. Over the coming months ONS will release the data in phases. Their intention is that all Census data is published within two years of it having taken place.

The first release of Census 2021 data was published on 28 June and provides population and household counts at local authority level.

The First Release, Population and Household Counts The Census 2021 recorded 196,100 people usually resident in Gateshead and 89,000 households (figures rounded to the nearest hundred). This is a decrease since the previous Census in 2011 when there were 200,200 usual residents and 89,200 households.

It also updates and replaces population and household estimates that ONS produce between each Census. Their last estimates prior to the 2021 Census were 202,000 usual residents and 90,400 households in 2020. It is expected that ONS will re-base their estimates and roll forward from the Census 2021 results for future years.

The change in population and household counts between 2011 and 2021 for LA7 local authorities and the North East are shown in table below.

Last updated 29th August 2023

The Hartlepool population of people over 65 is expected to rise between 2020 and 2035 by approximately 35%, while the number of 18-64 year olds will reduce by approximately 7%. The biggest increase is within people aged 90+, which is predicted to increase significantly by approximately 63%.

Within the over 65 population, it is anticipated there will be increases in the number of people with depression (from 1,500 to 2,000 people), people living with dementia (from 1,200 to 1,800) and hospital admissions due to falls (from 600 to 8) during the same period.

Hartlepool has a relatively small number of residents from black and minority ethnic groups, around 2% of the population.

Within the Hartlepool area, there are significant numbers of people with a long term illness or disability that are well above national averages.

To give an overview of Hartlepool, please take a look at the diagram of “If Hartlepool was a village of 100 people” (PDF – opens in a new window).

Data in this section comes from the Office for National Statistics and from published external research. It is anticipated that data from local systems will be integrated in due course to provide additional local prevalence rates.

The borough of Redcar & Cleveland is one of contrasts, with outstanding natural landscapes, an industrial heritage alongside a diverse mix of towns and villages across urban, coastal and rural areas. We are geographically the largest borough in the Tees Valley and we have it’s second highest population of approx. 137,150 residents.

In the past commissioning priorities have been determined from the analysis of data, to meet the needs of our residents. This section provides data for analysis and interrogation. The Data in this section comes from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and from published external research. It is anticipated that data from local systems will be integrated in due course to provide additional local prevalence rates.

As at 2021, South Tyneside’s population is estimated to be around 147,800. South Tyneside is the fourth most populated area in the North East with around 16 people living on each football pitch-sized area of land.

Between 2011 and 2021 there has been an increase of 15.1% in people aged 65 and over. There has been a decrease of 5.4% in people aged 15-64 and an increase of 3.9% in children aged under 15 years.

Projections indicate that by 2033 the population will have increased by 6% with the most marked increase in the 65 and over age range.

Detailed projections can be found in the Council’s demographics JSNAA in the population tool.

The most complete overview of population is available from the 2021 census. Population figures indicate a slight decrease at local authority level for South Tyneside. Over the coming months the Office for National Statistics will be releasing further data and rebasing estimates; the intention is for all data to be released within two years.

The table below shows estimates with regards to population change over time.

UPDATED APRIL 2024