South Shields, Tyne and Wear | Local Guide & Postcodes

About South Shields

South Shields is a coastal town located in Tyne and Wear, England, within the NE33 postcode area. It lies on the south bank of the River Tyne and is known for its long sandy beaches, including the popular Sandhaven Beach. The town has a mix of modern amenities and traditional seaside attractions, making it a suitable destination for both relaxation and activities. The South Shields ferry service provides easy access to Newcastle upon Tyne, enhancing its appeal for visitors.

In addition to its beaches, South Shields features several parks and green spaces, such as South Marine Park, which offers a boating lake and gardens. The town is also home to the historic Arbeia Roman Fort, providing insight into the area's Roman past. With a range of shops, restaurants, and cultural events, South Shields caters to a variety of interests, making it a welcoming place for tourists and locals alike.

School Ratings in South Shields

Families in South Shields have access to 165 local schools. St Bede's Catholic Primary School, South Shields is rated Outstanding by Ofsted. A further 7 schools hold a Good rating.

House Prices in South Shields

Homes sell for an average of £165K locally. Most of the housing is made up of terraced houses, averaging £130K.

Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour in South Shields

Crime in the area is higher than the national average. Anti-social behaviour is the leading concern across South Shields, with 180 incidents recorded in April 2026.

Deprivation and Employment in South Shields

The 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation places South Shields within the more deprived parts of England. A higher proportion of working-age residents face employment challenges compared to the national picture. Average incomes in the area are typical for England.

Healthcare in South Shields

There are 36 GP surgeries within three miles of South Shields, the nearest being Trinity Medical Centre (0.4 miles away).

Local Data for South Shields

Dig deeper into the area around South Shields 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 9,132 sales

Average Price £165K

£500 , £93.4M

Detached £286K 402

Semi £182K 2,660

Terraced £130K 3,279

Flat £91K 1,857

Schools & Education 12 nearby View all schools

101 Primary

23 Secondary

41 Other

Outstanding 1

Good 7

Ofsted ratings for schools in the NE33 postcode area.

St Bede's Catholic Primary School, South Shields Primary Outstanding 0.1 miles Laygate Community School Primary Good 0.3 miles Marine Park Primary School Primary 0.4 miles Marine Park Children's Centre Good 0.5 miles Westoe Crown Primary School Primary Good 0.5 miles Riverside Children's Centre Good 0.5 miles Tyne Coast College 16 plus Good 0.6 miles Mortimer Community College Secondary 0.7 miles Mortimer Primary School Primary Good 0.8 miles Hadrian Primary School Primary Good 0.9 miles All Saints Centre Good 1 miles Stanhope Primary School Primary Good 1 miles

Household Income in South Shields ONS 2023

The average total household income in South Shields is approximately £40,256 a year before tax, 27% below the national average of £55,302. After tax and benefits, the average disposable (net) household income is around £31,436. These are modelled estimates from the Office for National Statistics for the financial year ending 2023.

South Shields £40,256

England & Wales avg. £55,302

Net (after tax) household income averages £31,436.

Businesses in South Shields ONS 2025

There are approximately 1,599 active businesses based in South Shields, around 21 for every 1,000 residents. The local economy is dominated by small firms: about 89% are micro-businesses employing fewer than 10 people, while 18 are larger employers with 50 or more staff. Figures are from the Office for National Statistics UK Business Counts.

1,599 Total businesses

21 Per 1,000 residents

Micro, 0-9 89%

Small, 10-49 10%

Medium, 50-249 1%

Large, 250+ 0%

Deprivation and Employment in South Shields IMD 2025

According to the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation, South Shields experiences higher levels of deprivation than much of England. Employment and income indicators fall below the national average, though the area benefits from targeted regeneration and community support programmes.

Overall Deprivation

3/10

Income

4/10

Employment

3/10

Education

5/10

Health

2/10

Housing

9/10

Living Environment

4/10

Children 0-15 18%

Working age 62%

Older 65+ 20%

13,729 Children (0-15) 18%

47,779 Working Age 62%

16,110 Older (65+) 21%

Average Child Poverty (IDACI) 43.8% of children in income-deprived families

Average Older Person Poverty (IDAOPI) 27.1% 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 South Shields 794 crimes · April 2026

High Crime Area

Crime figures for South Shields are higher than the England and Wales average, with violence & sexual offences the most prevalent offence recorded. Urban density and footfall contribute to elevated reporting in areas like this. Ongoing investment in policing and community safety programmes aims to improve the picture.

Violence & Sexual Offences 214

Anti-Social Behaviour 180

Shoplifting 116

Criminal Damage & Arson 99

Public Order 53

Other Theft 43

Other Crime 29

Burglary 14

Vehicle Crime 14

Drugs 11

Theft from Person 9

Robbery 8

Bicycle Theft 3

Weapons 1

Local Policing

Northumbria Riverside and West Shields 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 5 stations

Heworth Train Station 5.7 miles

Sunderland Train Station 6.3 miles

Manors Train Station 7.1 miles

Dunston Train Station 8.8 miles

Metrocentre Train Station 9.7 miles

Location

Nearby Towns & Villages 12 found

High Shields 0 yards Westoe 0.6 miles The Lawe 0.6 miles West Park 0.6 miles Cauldwell 0.6 miles Tyne Dock 0.9 miles West Harton 1.2 miles Meadow Well 1.4 miles Horsley Hill 1.4 miles Jarrow 1.4 miles North Shields 1.4 miles Harton 1.4 miles

Local Government

District South Tyneside

Ward Beacon and Bents

Constituency South Shields

Parish South Tyneside, unparished area

Region North East

Home Ownership in South Shields

Of the 36,612 households in and around South Shields, 54% are owned, 30% are socially rented and 16% are privately rented. Home ownership here is lower than the England and Wales average of 63%.

Owned 54% Social rented 30% Private rented 16%

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

Frequently Asked Questions about South Shields

What is the population of South Shields?

South Shields has a population of approximately 77,580 residents, based on the latest census figures for the surrounding postcode area.

What is the average house price in South Shields?

The average property in and around South Shields sold for about £164,535, based on HM Land Registry Price Paid records. That is around 53% below the England and Wales average of £349,091.

Is South Shields a deprived area?

South Shields 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 South Shields?

South Shields is covered by the NE33, NE34 postcode districts.

How many schools are there in South Shields?

There are 12 schools within easy reach of South Shields, spanning primary, secondary and other phases.

Where is the nearest train station to South Shields?

The nearest railway station to South Shields is Heworth Train Station, about 5.7 miles away.

Streets in South Shields 30 shown View all streets

A194 2 Acacia Gardens 1 Ada Street 1 Addison Walk 2 Afton Court 1 Ainsworth Avenue 3 Albany Street East 1 Albany Street West 1 Albemarle Street 20 Alder Walk 3 Aldwych Street 1 Alice Street 3 Allendale Drive 1 Alnwick Road 1 Alverthorpe Street 1 Amble Avenue 1 Ambleside Avenue 3 Amos Ayre Place 2 Anderson Street 3 Annand Court 1 Anson Close 1 Armstrong Avenue 1 Armstrong Terrace 1 Arthington Way 2 Ascot Gardens 2 Ashley Road 3 Aston Street 2 Auckland Avenue 2 Australia Grove 3 Awnless Court 1

Postcodes in South Shields 50 shown View all postcodes

NE33 1AF NE33 1AN NE33 1AX NE33 1AY NE33 1AZ NE33 1BB NE33 1BE NE33 1BF NE33 1BH NE33 1BJ NE33 1BL NE33 1BN NE33 1BP NE33 1BQ NE33 1BS NE33 1BT NE33 1BU NE33 1BW NE33 1BZ NE33 1DA NE33 1DH NE33 1DP NE33 1DT NE33 1EA NE33 1EH NE33 1EQ NE33 1ES NE33 1EX NE33 1HD NE33 1HF NE33 1HH NE33 1HL NE33 1HR NE33 1HT NE33 1HU NE33 1HW NE33 1HZ NE33 1JA NE33 1JE NE33 1JF NE33 1JJ NE33 1JL NE33 1JQ NE33 1JR NE33 1JW NE33 1JY NE33 1LE NE33 1LF NE33 1LH NE33 1LL

South Shields on the map