Benfieldside on the map

Location in County DurhamBenfieldside sits where the marker shows within the county.

39,298
Population
16,986
Households
5 / 10
Deprivation decile
Around average
32
Schools nearby
£44,428
Avg. household income
1,253
Businesses
249
People per km²

About Benfieldside

Benfieldside is a small settlement located in County Durham, in the north of England. It lies within the DH8 postcode area and is situated near the town of Peterlee. The area is primarily residential, with a mix of semi-detached and detached homes, many of which were built during the mid-20th century as part of post-war housing developments. The village is close to the A19 road, providing convenient access to nearby towns and cities. There are local amenities including a primary school, a community centre, and a few small shops, supporting the needs of the local population. The surrounding landscape features open fields and patches of woodland, offering peaceful walks and a quiet environment. Benfieldside is part of the wider County Durham community, with strong local ties and a sense of neighbourliness.

School Ratings in Benfieldside

Benfieldside is served by 32 schools. Beechdale Nursery School is rated Outstanding by Ofsted. A further 14 schools hold a Good rating.

House Prices in Benfieldside

Property prices average £155K across the area, and terraced houses are the most common property type, typically selling for £100K.

Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour in Benfieldside

Local crime rates sit higher than national averages. Anti-social behaviour accounts for the highest share in Benfieldside, with 65 incidents logged in July 2026.

Deprivation and Employment in Benfieldside

Based on the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation, Benfieldside falls within the mid-range nationally for overall deprivation. Working-age employment is around the national average for the area. Income levels locally sit close to the national average.

Healthcare in Benfieldside

There are 9 GP surgeries within three miles of Benfieldside, the nearest being Queens Road Surgery (0.4 miles away).

Property Prices 6,182 sales

Average Price £155K
£500 , £8.25M
Detached £259K 1,357
Semi £131K 1,849
Terraced £100K 2,600
Flat £84K 138

Household Income in Benfieldside ONS 2023

The average total household income in Benfieldside is approximately £44,428 a year before tax, 20% below the national average of £55,302. After tax and benefits, the average disposable (net) household income is around £35,627. These are modelled estimates from the Office for National Statistics for the financial year ending 2023.

Benfieldside £44,428
England & Wales avg. £55,302

Net (after tax) household income averages £35,627.

Businesses in Benfieldside ONS 2025

There are approximately 1,253 active businesses based in Benfieldside, around 32 for every 1,000 residents. The local economy is dominated by small firms: about 89% are micro-businesses employing fewer than 10 people, while 27 are larger employers with 50 or more staff. Figures are from the Office for National Statistics UK Business Counts.

1,253 Total businesses
32 Per 1,000 residents
Micro, 0-9 89%
Small, 10-49 9%
Medium, 50-249 2%
Large, 250+ 0%

Deprivation and Employment in Benfieldside IMD 2025

The 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation places Benfieldside in the mid-range nationally. Employment and income levels are close to the England average, with a mix of opportunities across sectors. Overall living conditions are comparable to similar areas across the country.

Overall Deprivation
5/10
Income
5/10
Employment
4/10
Education
5/10
Health
3/10
Housing
6/10
Living Environment
5/10
Children 0-15 18%
Working age 62%
Older 65+ 20%
7,068 Children (0-15) 18%
24,274 Working Age 62%
7,960 Older (65+) 20%
Average Child Poverty (IDACI) 32.4% of children in income-deprived families
Average Older Person Poverty (IDAOPI) 18.2% of over-60s in income-deprived households
Data from English Indices of Deprivation 2025 · Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

Crime in Benfieldside 391 crimes · July 2026

High Crime Area

Reported crime in Benfieldside is above the national average when measured per capita. Violence & sexual offences dominates the figures, a trend mirrored in many urban centres. Local policing teams work actively in the area, and community initiatives continue to address key concerns.

Violence & Sexual Offences 148
Anti-Social Behaviour 65
Shoplifting 65
Public Order 24
Criminal Damage & Arson 23
Other Theft 22
Other Crime 12
Burglary 11
Vehicle Crime 7
Weapons 5
Robbery 5
Drugs 4
Local Policing
Durham Consett (Blackhill/Ebchester/Leadgate) Visit force website →
Data from data.police.uk · Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0
Crime figures depend on reporting by individual police forces and may not reflect the full picture in all areas.

Nearest Train Stations 6 stations

Stocksfield Train Station 6 miles
Prudhoe Train Station 6.8 miles
Riding Mill Train Station 7.3 miles
Wylam Train Station 7.5 miles
Blaydon Train Station 8.8 miles
Corbridge Train Station 9.5 miles

Location

Local Government

District County Durham
Ward Benfieldside
Constituency North West Durham
Parish County Durham, unparished area
Region North East

Home Ownership in Benfieldside

Of the 17,805 households in and around Benfieldside, 66% are owned, 15% are socially rented and 18% are privately rented. Home ownership here is higher than the England and Wales average of 63%.

Owned 66% Social rented 15% Private rented 18%

Tenure from the 2021 Census (ONS), for the postcode districts covering Benfieldside.

Frequently Asked Questions about Benfieldside

What is the population of Benfieldside?
Benfieldside has a population of approximately 39,298 residents, based on the latest census figures for the surrounding postcode area.
What is the average house price in Benfieldside?
The average property in and around Benfieldside sold for about £154,860, based on HM Land Registry Price Paid records. That is around 56% below the England and Wales average of £349,091.
Is Benfieldside a deprived area?
Benfieldside sits around the national average for deprivation, with an Index of Multiple Deprivation decile of 5 out of 10, where 1 is the most deprived and 10 the least deprived.
What postcodes cover Benfieldside?
Benfieldside is covered by the DH8 postcode district.
How many schools are there in Benfieldside?
There are 32 schools within 5 miles of Benfieldside, spanning primary, secondary and other phases.
Where is the nearest train station to Benfieldside?
The nearest railway station to Benfieldside is Stocksfield Train Station, about 6 miles away.