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Living in Houghton-le-Spring

Houghton-le-Spring is a city in the United Kingdom. Owner occupation accounted for 63.5% of homes in March 2021. Gigabit broadband availability was 94.4%. The employment rate was 53.2% in March 2021. Houghton-le-Spring had a population of 12,555 in March 2021.

Higher unemployment than 92% of United Kingdom cities that publish it and cleaner air than 80% of United Kingdom cities that publish it.

Which United Kingdom-wide rules apply when you move to Houghton-le-Spring?

National rules stay on the country page instead of being relabelled as city data.

Visa and entry rulesPassport-specific entry and national residence context.BenefitsCountry-wide eligibility and official application routes.Taxes in United KingdomNational rates and thresholds that apply in Houghton-le-Spring.Healthcare eligibilityCountry-wide insurance and residence conditions.

Housing and cost

No city-level rent or cost figure is published for Houghton-le-Spring yet. United Kingdom has country-level context; it is not substituted for this city.

MetricValuePeriodSource
Dwellings5,660 count21 Mar 2021ONS Census 2021 BUA row and ONS/OS BUA 2022 geometry for Abbots Langley and Kings Langley5Official source, approximated value · Supplemental context · built-up-area figure

Work and income

What is the unemployment rate in Houghton-le-Spring?

The unemployment rate is 5.6 % (2025-2026). Source: www.nomisweb.co.uk15

Unemployment across cities in United KingdomUnemployment in Houghton-le-Spring is 5.6%. Of 1,007 cities with data, 657 have unemployment of 2 to under 4%.
unemployment rate, % · measured cities in United Kingdom per band24 cities: 0% to under 2%240–2657 cities: 2% to under 4%6572–4265 cities: 4% to under 6%2654–6Houghton-le-Spring 5.6%49 cities: 6% to under 8%496–87 cities: 8% to under 10%78–104 cities: 10% to under 12%410–121 city: 16% to under 18%116–18

Unemployment rate (%)

MetricValuePeriodSource
Gigabit broadband availability94.35 %Not statedwww.ofcom.org.uk17Supplemental estimate · Supplemental context
Employment rate53.17 %21 Mar 2021ONS Census 2021 towns and cities dataset Figure 9 individual BUA employment row for Abbots Langley and Kings Langley12Official source, approximated value · Supplemental context · built-up-area figure
Superfast broadband availability99.22 %Not statedwww.ofcom.org.uk17Supplemental estimate · Supplemental context
Median gross salary (regional)3,337 EUR/month31 Dec 2024www.ons.gov.uk16Official
Unemployment rate5.6 %country median 3.4%31 Dec 2025www.nomisweb.co.uk15Official

Public employment service

No exact public employment office is currently linked to Houghton-le-Spring. The verified national service may still offer online registration, job search or an official office finder.

Country-level information

Jobcentre Plus — Public employment service

Department for Work and Pensions

Job SearchUnemployment Claim
Open official service
Open the United Kingdom service overview

Country-level service information is not treated as proof of a physical office in Houghton-le-Spring. Sources checked through 10 Aug 2026.

Family and education

MetricValuePeriodSource
Schools7 count7 Jul 2026DfE Get Information About Schools all establishments extract3Official source, approximated value · Supplemental context · built-up-area figure
Primary School Count18 count3 Aug 2026Department for Education (GIAS)2Official
School Count23 count3 Aug 2026Department for Education (GIAS)2Official

Safety

Recorded crime across major citiesHoughton-le-Spring highlighted among comparable cities
Recorded crime across major cities with Houghton-le-Spring highlighted14,267Manchester13,099Bristol12,409Liverpool11,700Bradford11,462Leeds11,416Birmingham11,001Leicester9,693Sheffield9,379Cardiff8,836Coventry757Glasgow549Edinburghrecorded incidents per 100k residents
MetricValuePeriodSource
Violent crime per 100,000 residents2,971 per 100,000Apr 2026data.police.uk all-crime polygon replay, filtered to Burglary1Official source, approximated value · Supplemental context · built-up-area figure
Burglary per 100,000 residents764.6 per 100,000Apr 2026data.police.uk all-crime polygon replay, filtered to Burglary1Official source, approximated value · Supplemental context · built-up-area figure

Mobility and administration

MetricValuePeriodSource
Destinations from nearest airport49 count3 Aug 2026OpenFlights13Official
Nearest airportNCL3 Aug 2026OurAirports14Official
Distance to nearest airport26 km3 Aug 2026OurAirports14Official

Climate and air quality

Annual PM2.5 was 5.81 µg/m³ in 2025. Annual NO₂ was 7.36 µg/m³ in 2025. Annual PM10 was 10.8 µg/m³ in 2025.

Is the air quality good in Houghton-le-Spring?

The annual PM2.5 mean is about 5.8 µg/m³ (2025) — above the WHO 2021 guideline of 5 µg/m³ but within the EU limit of 25 µg/m³.

Annual mean at the measuring site(s) serving the city; current-day readings differ.

  • PM2.5 — annual mean: 5.81 µg/m³ · official estimated total annual mean background concentration11
Air quality vs health guidelinesAnnual means against WHO 2021 guidelines and EU legal limits
Houghton-le-Spring annual air pollutant levels against WHO 2021 guidelines and EU legal limitsCity valueWHO guidelineEU limit5255.8PM2.5154010.8PM1010407.4NO₂µg/m³

City values from the published air-quality observations. WHO 2021 guidelines and EU limit values are published constants.

PM2.5 across cities in United KingdomAnnual PM2.5 in Houghton-le-Spring is 5.8 µg/m³. Of 864 cities with data, 448 have annual PM2.5 of 6 to under 7 µg/m³.
annual PM2.5, µg/m³ · measured cities in United Kingdom per band1 city: 3 µg/m³ to under 4 µg/m³13–428 cities: 4 µg/m³ to under 5 µg/m³284–5203 cities: 5 µg/m³ to under 6 µg/m³2035–6Houghton-le-Spring 5.8448 cities: 6 µg/m³ to under 7 µg/m³4486–7174 cities: 7 µg/m³ to under 8 µg/m³1747–88 cities: 8 µg/m³ to under 9 µg/m³88–91 city: 9 µg/m³ to under 10 µg/m³19–101 city: 13 µg/m³ to under 14 µg/m³113–14

Annual PM2.5 (µg/m³)

MetricValuePeriodSource
NO₂ — annual mean7.36 µg/m³country median 7.12025official estimated total annual mean background concentration9Official
PM10 — annual mean10.83 µg/m³country median 11.32025official estimated total annual mean background concentration10Official
PM2.5 — annual mean5.81 µg/m³country median 6.52025official estimated total annual mean background concentration11Official
Climate Monthly Extreme High CJan 12.25 · Feb 13.25 · Mar 16.42 · Apr 18.11 · May 20.87 · Jun 22.03 · Jul 22.96 · Aug 22.54 · Sep 20.83 · Oct 20.3 · Nov 15.12 · Dec 12.84 °C31 Dec 2001NASA POWER / NASA Langley Research Center6Official
Climate Monthly Extreme Low CJan -1.11 · Feb -1.16 · Mar -1.6 · Apr 0.85 · May 2.99 · Jun 6.21 · Jul 9.29 · Aug 8.86 · Sep 6.74 · Oct 3.11 · Nov 0.74 · Dec -1.75 °C31 Dec 2001NASA POWER / NASA Langley Research Center6Official
Average temperature by monthJan 5.15 · Feb 4.92 · Mar 5.72 · Apr 7.54 · May 10.23 · Jun 13.02 · Jul 15.13 · Aug 15.15 · Sep 13.31 · Oct 10.77 · Nov 7.97 · Dec 5.9 °C31 Dec 2001NASA POWER / NASA Langley Research Center6Official
Annual PM2.5 over time8 published observations, 2013–2025
Annual PM2.5 in Houghton-le-Spring by year, µg/m³5.57.18.710.320132015201720255.8µg/m³

Annual PM2.5 fell 35.5% between 2013 and 2025, from 9.0 to 5.8.

Cities of a similar size in United Kingdom

Closest published populations, for a like-for-like comparison.

All United Kingdom cities
Little Lever12,525 residentsWhitby12,595 residentsRochford12,615 residentsBlackwood12,620 residentsIvybridge12,490 residentsHersham12,625 residents

Population and city profile

The city covered 3.6 km² in December 2022. Population density was 3,467.7 people per km² in 2021.

How many people live in Houghton-le-Spring?

The published population was 12,555 people in March 2021. Source: Census 2021 usual resident population count for the exact Built Up Area (BUA), England excluding London or Wales.5

Who lives hereResidents by nationality, % of population
Houghton-le-Spring residents by nationalityBy nationalityNational passport97.2%Foreign residents 2.8%

Calculated from the population and foreign-resident facts on this page.

MetricValuePeriodSource
Area3.62 km²Dec 2022ONS Census 2021 BUA row and ONS/OS BUA 2022 geometry for Abbots Langley and Kings Langley5Official source, approximated value · Supplemental context · built-up-area figure
City area3.62 km²Dec 2022Exact 2022 Built Up Area polygon area for BUA22CD in EPSG:27700, converted from square metres to km2.4Official
Foreign residents355 people21 Mar 2021Exact BUA non-UK-born population derived as the sum of the published Europe: EU countries and Non-EU countries (including British Overseas) counts.5Official
GP practices per 10,000 residents1.59 per 10,000 people7 Jul 2026NHS ODS GP Practices report + ONSPD Live postcode coordinates7Official source, approximated value · Supplemental context · built-up-area figure
Schools per 10,000 residents5.58 per 10,000 people7 Jul 2026DfE Get Information About Schools all establishments extract3Official source, approximated value · Supplemental context · built-up-area figure
Population density3,468 people/km²21 Mar 2021www.ons.gov.uk5Official · built-up-area figure
Population12,555 people21 Mar 2021Census 2021 usual resident population count for the exact Built Up Area (BUA), England excluding London or Wales.5Official

Is Houghton-le-Spring a good place to live?

There is no universal answer. The profile scores below show who the available published evidence may suit; they are a decision aid, not a personal recommendation.

Try your profile
Remote worker46%strong on work, weak on safety · range 35–57%
Skilled employee63%strong on work, weak on safety · range 53–73%
Student56%strong on education, weak on safety · range 46–66%
Family62%strong on family, weak on safety · range 51–73%
Retirement51%strong on air quality, weak on admin · range 38–64%
Foreign residents355 people21 Mar 2021Official source · Exact BUA non-UK-born population derived as the sum of the published Europe: EU countries and Non-EU countries (including British Overseas) counts.
Population12,555 people21 Mar 2021Official source · Census 2021 usual resident population count for the exact Built Up Area (BUA), England excluding London or Wales.
Dwellings5,660 count21 Mar 2021Official source · ONS Census 2021 BUA row and ONS/OS BUA 2022 geometry for Abbots Langley and Kings Langley
Gigabit broadband availability94.35 %Not statedIndependent source · www.ofcom.org.uk
Employment rate53.17 %21 Mar 2021Official source · ONS Census 2021 towns and cities dataset Figure 9 individual BUA employment row for Abbots Langley and Kings Langley
Superfast broadband availability99.22 %Not statedIndependent source · www.ofcom.org.uk
Every value keeps its source, geographic scope and verification date · Last checked 2026-08-27

Additional context

MetricValuePeriodSource
Owner-occupied homes63.5 %21 Mar 2021ONS Census 2021 BUA row and ONS/OS BUA 2022 geometry for Abbots Langley and Kings Langley5Official source, approximated value · Supplemental context · built-up-area figure
GP practices2 count7 Jul 2026NHS ODS GP Practices report + ONSPD Live postcode coordinates7Official source, approximated value · Supplemental context · built-up-area figure
Residents born abroad2.8 %21 Mar 2021ONS Census 2021 BUA row and ONS/OS BUA 2022 geometry for Abbots Langley and Kings Langley5Official source, approximated value · Supplemental context · built-up-area figure
Median age42 years21 Mar 2021ONS Census 2021 BUA row and ONS/OS BUA 2022 geometry for Abbots Langley and Kings Langley5Official source, approximated value · Supplemental context · built-up-area figure
Universities0 count3 Aug 2026Office for Students8Official

Yes — migrants can receive medical care in Houghton-le-Spring under the national coverage rules.

Healthcare access follows the country-wide insurance rules; local capacity facts remain city data and are not used as proof of eligibility.

Open the official coverage guide
Country rule verified 2026-08-03.

How does Houghton-le-Spring compare?

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Common questions

Answered from the published values on this page, each with its source and date.

How many people live in Houghton-le-Spring?

The published population was 12,555 people in March 2021. Source: Census 2021 usual resident population count for the exact Built Up Area (BUA), England excluding London or Wales..

Is the air quality good in Houghton-le-Spring?

The annual PM2.5 mean is about 5.8 µg/m³ (2025) — above the WHO 2021 guideline of 5 µg/m³ but within the EU limit of 25 µg/m³. Source: official estimated total annual mean background concentration.

What is the unemployment rate in Houghton-le-Spring?

The unemployment rate is 5.6 % (2025-2026). Source: www.nomisweb.co.uk.

What is the typical salary around Houghton-le-Spring?

The median gross salary is 3,337 EUR/month. Source: www.ons.gov.uk.

How many foreign residents live in Houghton-le-Spring?

355 people residents hold a foreign nationality. Source: Exact BUA non-UK-born population derived as the sum of the published Europe: EU countries and Non-EU countries (including British Overseas) counts..

Is Houghton-le-Spring a good place to live?

Houghton-le-Spring may suit different people for different reasons. The page's profile scores compare published cost, work, housing, safety, healthcare and other available factors; they are a decision aid, not a universal recommendation.

Cite this page

Open a format to select or copy this ImmigrationDB compilation citation. The native disclosure and text fallback work without JavaScript.

APA citation
ImmigrationDB. (2026, September 14). Houghton-le-Spring, United Kingdom: salary, jobs, safety [ImmigrationDB compilation; snapshot approved-static-c751ebb1b4085a62; version approved-static-c751ebb1b4085a62]. ImmigrationDB. https://immigrationdb.com/cities/uk/houghton-le-spring/ Retrieved 2026-09-14. Compilation license: CC BY 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
BibTeX citation
@misc{immigrationdb_immigrationdb_houghton-le-spring-united-kingdom-salary-jobs-safety_47108143cca9,
  author = {ImmigrationDB},
  title = {Houghton-le-Spring, United Kingdom: salary, jobs, safety},
  publisher = {ImmigrationDB},
  year = {2026},
  date = {2026-09-14},
  version = {approved-static-c751ebb1b4085a62},
  snapshot = {approved-static-c751ebb1b4085a62},
  url = {https://immigrationdb.com/cities/uk/houghton-le-spring/},
  note = {Retrieved 2026-09-14. ImmigrationDB compilation. Compilation license: CC BY 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/},
}
Markdown citation
[Houghton-le-Spring, United Kingdom: salary, jobs, safety](https://immigrationdb.com/cities/uk/houghton-le-spring/) — ImmigrationDB; ImmigrationDB; snapshot approved-static-c751ebb1b4085a62; version approved-static-c751ebb1b4085a62; retrieved 2026-09-14; built 2026-09-14.

This citation identifies the ImmigrationDB compilation/page. Underlying source publishers and datasets retain their own terms; inspect the Sources section and cite those records separately. View the underlying source records.

Sources

JSON Markdown
  1. data.police.uk all-crime polygon replay, filtered to Burglary data.police.uk · checked 2026-07-07
  2. Department for Education (GIAS) get-information-schools.service.gov.uk · checked 2026-08-03
  3. DfE Get Information About Schools all establishments extract get-information-schools.service.gov.uk · checked 2026-07-07
  4. Exact 2022 Built Up Area polygon area for BUA22CD in EPSG:27700, converted from square metres to km2. services1.arcgis.com · checked 2026-07-15
  5. Exact BUA non-UK-born population derived as the sum of the published Europe: EU countries and Non-EU countries (including British Overseas) counts. ons.gov.uk · checked 2021-03-21
  6. NASA POWER / NASA Langley Research Center power.larc.nasa.gov · checked 2026-08-03
  7. NHS ODS GP Practices report + ONSPD Live postcode coordinates digital.nhs.uk · checked 2026-07-07
  8. Office for Students officeforstudents.org.uk · checked 2026-08-03
  9. official estimated total annual mean background concentration uk-air.defra.gov.uk · checked 2026-07-15
  10. official estimated total annual mean background concentration uk-air.defra.gov.uk · checked 2026-07-15
Show 7 more sources
  1. official estimated total annual mean background concentration uk-air.defra.gov.uk · checked 2026-07-15
  2. ONS Census 2021 towns and cities dataset Figure 9 individual BUA employment row for Abbots Langley and Kings Langley ons.gov.uk · checked 2026-07-05
  3. OpenFlights raw.githubusercontent.com · checked 2026-08-03
  4. OurAirports davidmegginson.github.io · checked 2026-08-03
  5. www.nomisweb.co.uk nomisweb.co.uk · checked 2026-08-26
  6. www.ons.gov.uk ons.gov.uk · checked 2026-08-27
  7. www.ofcom.org.uk ofcom.org.uk · checked 2026-07-15

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