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Economy and work in County Durham

Unitary authority

The south west of the North East. 539,146 people in 2,231 square kilometres.

4 layers about economy and work for County Durham, each at the level its publisher released it, with its own date and source.

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Claimants by neighbourhood

Claimant count (Nomis) · August 2026

Under 1070 or more

County Durham’s 330 neighbourhoods range from 0 to 130.

Median full-time pay

CouncilGreat Britain only
£33,436
ONS earnings survey · 2025

Full-time workers living in County Durham earned a median of £33,436 in 2025.

Open in mapSource and methodEvery council ranked
Median full-time pay: County Durham among every council348 areas from £29,805 to £57,396. The middle area is £38,490. County Durham is £33,436.

People claiming out-of-work benefits

Council
10,545
ONS via Nomis · Aug 2026

In County Durham, 10,545 people were claiming out-of-work benefits in August 2026.

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People claiming out-of-work benefits: County Durham among every council361 areas from 20 to 77,930. The middle area is 2,690. County Durham is 10,545.

Claimant rate

Council
3.2%
ONS via Nomis · Aug 2026

In County Durham, 3.2% of residents aged 16 to 64 were claiming out-of-work benefits in August 2026.

For the UK as a whole, the figure was 3.9%.

Against North East
14% lower3.7%
Against the UK
18% lower3.9%
Open in mapSource and methodEvery council ranked
Claimant rate: County Durham among every council361 areas from 1.1% to 10.1%. The middle area is 3.2%. County Durham is 3.2%.

Employment rate

CouncilGreat Britain only
73.8%
ONS population survey · Mar 2026

73.8% of people aged 16 to 64 in County Durham were in work in the year to March 2026.

County Durham is joint 116th lowest of 348 for employment rate.

Open in mapSource and methodEvery council ranked
Employment rate: County Durham among every council348 areas from 59.7% to 91.4%. The middle area is 76.3%. County Durham is 73.8%.