Socio-economic statistics for Washington, Sunderland

Socio-economic statistics for Washington, Sunderland

Is Washington in Sunderland a nice place to live or is it a bit rough? We have collated a series of socio-economic statistics and demographics from UK government sources such as the 2021 Census and the Index of Multiple Deprivation. They should give you a broad snapshot of the area and the surrounding locations. Are the residents of Washington older than the national average or younger? What is the population of Washington and Sunderland? What is the claimant count in Washington and how many residents are unemployed? This page should provide you with the answers.

Washington Unemployment Statistics

Since the introduction of Universal Credit, The Department for Work & Pensions have not issued any statistics (in our view) that can be used to ascertain the levels of unemployment or under employment in the UK, just meaningless geographic counts. However, the Office of National Statistics does publish claimant counts of people receiving out of work benefits, be that legacy Jobseeker’s Allowance or Universal Credit as a proportion of people over 16. These figures are usually updated once a month and are for Local Authority Districts and Unitary Authority Districts. So below are the figures of Sunderland.
AreaUnemployedYearly Change
Sunderland4.7%-0.7%
North East4.3%-0.5%
England3.8%-0.3%
UK3.7%-0.3%
Source: Office for National Statistics (ONS), Last Retrieved: March 2023
The 2021 census had data on people who were economically active (seeking work) yet unemployed on Census day (Sunday March 21st 2021). These statitics do cover Washington on a ward level. However, it has to be noted that the Census day was during the height of the Covid19 pandemic and therefore are not reflective of normal levels of unemployment. For example, between March 2020 and June 2020 people claiming Universal Credit doubled in most areas of the United Kingdom and then steadily declined up to the day of the Census and beyond. This data also contains the proportion of people in part-time work (working between 1-35 hours per week), which maybe an indicator of under employment in Washington.
Economic StatusProportion
In Employment48.88%
In Part-Time Work24.03%
Unemployed8.69%
75.97% of the people in work, are in full-time employment in Washington

Washington Education Statistics

We have taken the raw data from the 2021 census to found of the level of education Washington residents have in terms of formal qualifications as a percentage. The UK government breaks qualifications down into 7 levels. A detailed explanation of these levels can be found here. However, the Census groups these into just 4 \'levels\'. Here are some examples of the qualifications each census level represents when not stated;

  • Level 1 - GCSE grades D, E, F, or G & below
  • Level 2 - GCSE A*, A, B, C or O Level grades A, B or C
  • Level 3 - A or AS qualification at any grade
  • Level 4 - HNC, Bachelors Degree, Masters Degree or Phd

In this first table we have compared Washington to the national average for England.
LevelWashington NorthEngland
No Qualifications26.17%18.08%
Level 113.19%9.69%
Level 217.12%13.32%
Apprenticeship6.79%5.32%
Level 316.99%16.92%
Level 417.34%33.92%

Washington & Sunderland Immigration Statistics

We have analysed the Census 2021 raw data on country of birth and compiled immigration statistics as percentages of the population. All percentages have been rounded to two decimal places. Below are the figures for Washington in the Sunderland local area district.

Washington has a lower rate of immigrants than Sunderland, the North East region and England as a whole.
AreaBorn in UKBorn outside UK
Washington North95.7%4.3%
Sunderland94.9%5.1%
North East93.23%6.77%
England82.65%17.35%

Washington compared to other wards in Sunderland

#WardBorn in UKBorn outside UK
1Millfield75.52%24.48%
2Hendon84.44%15.56%
3Barnes90.81%9.19%
4St Michael's91.02%8.98%
5Pallion91.51%8.49%
6St Peter's94.05%5.95%
7Washington North95.7%4.3%
8Southwick95.74%4.26%
9St Anne's96.33%3.67%
10Washington East96.5%3.5%
11Washington South96.5%3.5%
12Copt Hill96.89%3.11%
13Ryhope96.95%3.05%
14Washington West97.08%2.92%
15Washington Central97.3%2.7%
16Castle97.33%2.67%
17Sandhill97.39%2.61%
18Shiney Row97.4%2.6%
19Hetton97.41%2.59%
20Doxford97.58%2.42%
21St Chad's97.59%2.41%
22Houghton97.62%2.38%
23Silksworth97.63%2.37%
24Redhill97.7%2.3%
25Fulwell97.73%2.27%
';Washington is ranked 7 out of 25 wards in Sunderland for the number of residents born outside of the UK.

Washington Age Distribution Statistics

We have taken the raw data from the 2021 Census and the calculated the proportion of age groups in Washington North.
Age BandProportion
4 & under
5 - 9 years
10 - 15 years
16 - 19 years
20 - 24 years
25 - 34 years
35 - 49 years
50 - 64 years
65 - 74 years
75 - 84 years
85 years & over

What are the occupations of the residents of Washington?

The largest employment sector in Washington is Elementary Occupations. The smallest employment sector is Managers, Directors & Senior Officials.
SectorProportion
Elementary Occupations16.05%
Process Plant & Machine Operatives15.6%
Administrative & Secretarial11.27%
Skilled Trades10.46%
Professional Occupations9.69%
Caring, leisure & Other Services9.14%
Associate Professional & Technical8.67%
Managers, Directors & Senior Officials6.95%

How many residents own or rent their home in Washington and Sunderland

We have taken the raw data from the 2021 census and calculated what proportion of people in Washington either own or rent their home. All percentages have been rounded to two decimal places. 46.1 of residents own their home either outright or mortgaged. 53.9 of Washington residents rent their home either privately or through a social landlord.
AreaOwnedRented
Washington North46.1%53.9%
Sunderland58.11%41.89%
North East60.27%39.73%
England61.31%38.69%

Washington has a significantly lower level of home ownership than the national average. This is indicative or an economically deprived area.

Washington compared to other wards in Sunderland

#WardOwnedRented
1Fulwell87.97%12.03%
2Barnes (Sunderland)72.16%27.84%
3Washington South69.58%30.42%
4Doxford68.64%31.36%
5Houghton67%33%
6Washington West66.01%33.99%
7Shiney Row65.98%34.02%
8St Michael's (Sunderland)65.75%34.25%
9Washington East65.74%34.26%
10St Peter's (Sunderland)64.62%35.38%
11Copt Hill63.94%36.06%
12Washington Central60.91%39.09%
13Ryhope60.71%39.29%
14Silksworth60.12%39.88%
15Hetton58.47%41.53%
16St Chad's56.12%43.88%
17St Anne's51.69%48.31%
18Millfield (Sunderland)51.26%48.74%
19Pallion48.27%51.73%
20Castle (Sunderland)47.76%52.24%
21Washington North46.1%53.9%
22Sandhill44.37%55.63%
23Southwick (Sunderland)41.44%58.56%
24Redhill (Sunderland)40.39%59.61%
25Hendon (Sunderland)31.01%68.99%
Washington is ranked 21 out of 25 wards in Sunderland for the percentage of home owners.

Washington Health Statistics

Washington North has a significantly lower proportion of residents (>5%) describing their health as very good than the national average for England.
AreaVGGFBVB
Washington North39.53%34.3%17.01%7.09%2.08%
Sunderland43.13%33%15.87%6.14%1.86%
North East44.58%33.46%14.95%5.41%1.61%
England48.49%33.71%12.65%3.98%1.17%
VG = Very Good, G = Good, F = Fair, B = Bad & VB = Very Bad

How has the health of residents in Sunderland changed since 2011?

Sunderland residents who describe their health as either good or very good has increased by 0.66% between the 2011 and 2021 census.
YearVGGFBVB
201142.6%32.87%15.95%6.59%1.99%
202143.13%33%15.87%6.14%1.86%
VG = Very Good, G = Good, F = Fair, B = Bad & VB = Very Bad

What is the population of Washington and Sunderland?

The table below contains the populations figures for each ward in Sunderland including Washington. These population ONS figures are estimated are dated Mid 2020.

WardPopulation
Barnes10595
Castle10838
Copt Hill11853
Doxford9847
Fulwell10850
Hendon12987
Hetton11831
Houghton11740
Millfield13038
Pallion10827
Redhill11112
Ryhope11363
Sandhill10786
Shiney Row13170
Silksworth10194
Southwick10749
St Anne's10981
St Chad's9169
St Michael's10682
St Peter's10851
Washington Central10818
Washington East11326
Washington North10847
Washington South10005
Washington West11387
Sunderland Total277846



Last updated: 20/02/2024, Additional Sources: Office for National Statistics & Department for Work & Pensions.