Houghton-Le-Spring, Tyne and Wear | Local Guide & Postcodes

About Houghton-Le-Spring

Houghton-Le-Spring is a town located in Tyne and Wear, England, with the postcode area DH5. It lies approximately six miles south of Newcastle upon Tyne and is well-connected by road and public transport. The town features a mix of residential areas and local amenities, including shops, schools, and parks, making it a convenient place for families and individuals alike.

The town is home to several historical sites, including St. Michael and All Angels Church, which dates back to the 12th century. Houghton-Le-Spring also hosts a variety of community events throughout the year, fostering a sense of local engagement. The surrounding countryside offers opportunities for outdoor activities, providing a pleasant environment for those who enjoy nature walks and exploring the local landscape.

School Ratings in Houghton-Le-Spring

There are 116 schools in and around Houghton-Le-Spring. Houghton Le Spring Nursery School and Bernard Gilpin Primary School are each rated Outstanding by Ofsted. A further 5 schools hold a Good rating.

House Prices in Houghton-Le-Spring

The average property price is £147K, with terraced houses making up the majority of the housing stock at around £83K.

Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour in Houghton-Le-Spring

Recorded crime levels are higher than the national average. Criminal damage & arson is prevalent across Houghton-Le-Spring, with 46 recorded incidents in May 2026.

Deprivation and Employment in Houghton-Le-Spring

Houghton-Le-Spring falls within the more deprived areas of England, according to the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation. Employment deprivation is higher than average, with a larger share of working-age residents out of work. Household incomes are broadly in line with the national average.

Healthcare in Houghton-Le-Spring

There are 15 GP surgeries within three miles of Houghton-Le-Spring, the nearest being Houghton Medical Group, (0.3 miles away).

Local Data for Houghton-Le-Spring

Dig deeper into the area around Houghton-Le-Spring with our free postcode tools.

Food Hygiene Ratings Hygiene scores for cafes, takeaways and shops Nearest GP Surgery Find the GP surgeries closest to a postcode Compare Areas Put two areas head to head House Prices Recent sale prices and trends

Property Prices 3,303 sales

Average Price £147K

£2K , £8.25M

Detached £240K 714

Semi £133K 1,060

Terraced £83K 1,351

Flat £67K 63

Schools & Education 116 within 5 miles View all schools

75 Primary

13 Secondary

28 Other

Outstanding 2

Good 5

Ofsted ratings for schools in the DH5 postcode area.

Bernard Gilpin Primary School Primary Outstanding 0.1 miles Sunderland Children's Centre Houghton 0.2 miles Houghton Le Spring Nursery School Nursery Outstanding 0.2 miles Gillas Lane Primary Academy Primary 0.3 miles Kepier Secondary Good 0.5 miles St Michael's Catholic Primary School, Houghton Primary Good 0.5 miles Burnside Academy Inspires Primary 0.7 miles Eppleton Academy Primary School Primary 0.8 miles Newbottle Primary Academy Primary Good 1.1 miles East Rainton Primary School Primary Good 1.3 miles Sunderland Children's Centre Coalfields Good 1.5 miles Dubmire Primary Primary 1.5 miles

Household Income in Houghton-Le-Spring ONS 2023

The average total household income in Houghton-Le-Spring is approximately £39,660 a year before tax, 28% below the national average of £55,302. After tax and benefits, the average disposable (net) household income is around £32,765. These are modelled estimates from the Office for National Statistics for the financial year ending 2023.

Houghton-Le-Spring £39,660

England & Wales avg. £55,302

Net (after tax) household income averages £32,765.

Businesses in Houghton-Le-Spring ONS 2025

There are approximately 499 active businesses based in Houghton-Le-Spring, around 24 for every 1,000 residents. The local economy is dominated by small firms: about 88% are micro-businesses employing fewer than 10 people, while 17 are larger employers with 50 or more staff. Figures are from the Office for National Statistics UK Business Counts.

499 Total businesses

24 Per 1,000 residents

Micro, 0-9 88%

Small, 10-49 10%

Medium, 50-249 3%

Large, 250+ 0%

Deprivation and Employment in Houghton-Le-Spring IMD 2025

Houghton-Le-Spring falls within the more deprived areas of England according to the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation. Employment opportunities can be more limited and household incomes tend to sit below the national average. Investment in local services and regeneration continues to support the community.

Overall Deprivation

3/10

Income

4/10

Employment

2/10

Education

4/10

Health

2/10

Housing

7/10

Living Environment

6/10

Children 0-15 18%

Working age 60%

Older 65+ 22%

3,848 Children (0-15) 18%

12,599 Working Age 60%

4,465 Older (65+) 21%

Average Child Poverty (IDACI) 46.5% of children in income-deprived families

Average Older Person Poverty (IDAOPI) 25.8% 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 Houghton-Le-Spring 210 crimes · May 2026

High Crime Area

Houghton-Le-Spring sees higher than average levels of reported crime relative to its population. Violence & sexual offences represents the most frequently recorded category. This pattern is not uncommon in densely populated urban areas and does not necessarily reflect the experience of most residents.

Violence & Sexual Offences 61

Criminal Damage & Arson 46

Anti-Social Behaviour 41

Burglary 17

Public Order 12

Other Theft 9

Shoplifting 9

Other Crime 7

Vehicle Crime 4

Bicycle Theft 2

Drugs 1

Robbery 1

Local Policing

Northumbria Houghton 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 3 stations

Chester-Le-Street Train Station 4.6 miles

Sunderland Train Station 5.6 miles

Heworth Train Station 8.6 miles

Location

Nearby Towns & Villages 12 found

New Town 0 yards Rainton Bridge 0.6 miles Sunniside 0.9 miles Burnside 0.9 miles Grasswell 0.9 miles Hetton Downs 0.9 miles Chilton Moor 1.2 miles Colliery Row 1.2 miles High Dubmire 1.2 miles Great Eppleton 1.4 miles Fence Houses 1.4 miles Stony Gate 1.4 miles

Local Government

District Sunderland

Ward Hetton

Constituency Houghton and Sunderland South

Parish Hetton

Region North East

Home Ownership in Houghton-Le-Spring

Of the 9,408 households in and around Houghton-Le-Spring, 60% are owned, 27% are socially rented and 13% are privately rented. Home ownership here is lower than the England and Wales average of 63%.

Owned 60% Social rented 27% Private rented 13%

Tenure from the 2021 Census (ONS), for the postcode districts covering Houghton-Le-Spring.

Frequently Asked Questions about Houghton-Le-Spring

What is the population of Houghton-Le-Spring?

Houghton-Le-Spring has a population of approximately 20,901 residents, based on the latest census figures for the surrounding postcode area.

What is the average house price in Houghton-Le-Spring?

The average property in and around Houghton-Le-Spring sold for about £146,667, based on HM Land Registry Price Paid records. That is around 58% below the England and Wales average of £349,091.

Is Houghton-Le-Spring a deprived area?

Houghton-Le-Spring sits among the more deprived areas in England, with an Index of Multiple Deprivation decile of 3 out of 10, where 1 is the most deprived and 10 the least deprived.

What postcodes cover Houghton-Le-Spring?

Houghton-Le-Spring is covered by the DH5 postcode district.

How many schools are there in Houghton-Le-Spring?

There are 116 schools within 5 miles of Houghton-Le-Spring, spanning primary, secondary and other phases.

Where is the nearest train station to Houghton-Le-Spring?

The nearest railway station to Houghton-Le-Spring is Chester-Le-Street Train Station, about 4.6 miles away.

Streets in DH5 30 shown View all streets

A182 9 Aiden Way 1 Airedale Gardens 1 Alder Close 2 Alexander Drive 2 All Saints Drive 1 Allendale Street 2 Appletreewick Close 1 B1284 7 B1285 2 B1404 2 Bailey Way 2 Baker Street 1 Balfour Street 2 Balmoral Crescent 2 Bedale Street 1 Bedeswell Drive 1 Bedford Street 2 Belmont Rise 1 Bishops Wynd 1 Blackcap Close 2 Blindy Lane 1 Bloom Lane 4 Bloomfield Drive 1 Blossom Street 2 Bonica Close 2 Borrowdale Street 2 Bowes Avenue 1 Bradley Avenue 2 Brickgarth 2

Postcodes in DH5 50 shown View all postcodes

DH5 0AA DH5 0AB DH5 0AD DH5 0AE DH5 0AF DH5 0AG DH5 0AH DH5 0AJ DH5 0AL DH5 0AN DH5 0AP DH5 0AQ DH5 0AR DH5 0AS DH5 0AT DH5 0AU DH5 0AW DH5 0AX DH5 0AY DH5 0BA DH5 0BB DH5 0BE DH5 0BG DH5 0BH DH5 0BJ DH5 0BL DH5 0BN DH5 0BP DH5 0BQ DH5 0BW DH5 0DA DH5 0DB DH5 0DE DH5 0DF DH5 0DG DH5 0DH DH5 0DJ DH5 0DL DH5 0DN DH5 0DQ DH5 0DR DH5 0DS DH5 0DT DH5 0DU DH5 0DW DH5 0DX DH5 0DY DH5 0DZ DH5 0EA DH5 0ED

Houghton-Le-Spring on the map