Town Pop. 219

Living in Hamsterley: Liveability Score 33/100

Last updated 7 August 2026

Hamsterley comes out at 33/100 on the 9 categories we can score here. Furthest below the national norm is broadband, at 14/100 against a town median of 60/100. That makes it the 3rd highest-scoring of the 6 places in the DL13 postcode district.

On environment specifically, Hamsterley sits 18 points below the DL13 district figure of 82/100. That sits 17 points below the UK-wide average of 50, putting it in the bottom 10% of the towns and villages we score. Below 30/100: lifestyle (5), schools (7), healthcare (15) and transport (15). The same breakdown for the wider area is on the DL13 postcode district.

33
OUT OF 100
Below Avg
Score for:

Settlement area

The built-up area boundary and the postcodes its score is averaged from, each shaded by its own score. Clustered pins are other settlements. Tap one to view or compare it, or zoom in to reveal more.

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Each postcode is coloured by its own overall score on the default weighting. Scores are filled in as postcodes get searched on the site, so a blue dot just means that postcode hasn't been scored yet.

Hamsterley scores 33 but individual postcodes tell the full story

See the exact score for any postcode, side by side with Hamsterley.
Or compare:
DL13 1AA DL13 2AB DL13 3AA DL13 4AA DL13 5AA DL13

Score breakdown

Safety & Environment

Safety
75
579.9 crimes per 1,000 residents · last 12 months Above the England & Wales average of 94.3
Crime rate vs national average · last 12 months
Violence and sexual offences 35 crimes
↑ 380% above national average
Burglary 19 crimes
↑ 2380% above national average
Criminal damage and arson 19 crimes
↑ 1176% above national average
Anti-social behaviour 19 crimes
↑ 471% above national average
Vehicle crime 13 crimes
↑ 1138% above national average
other 22 crimes
Highest-crime locations
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  1. 1 Diamond Hill 18 crimes
  2. 2 Ladywell 15 crimes
  3. 3 Bedburn Road 14 crimes

Source: data.police.uk · England & Wales only

Environment
64
Air Quality NO₂ 2.436 · PM2.5 4.745 · PM10 7.586 µg/m³
83
Green Space 19
Parks None
Sports Pitches Adequate 2
Allotments None
Golf Courses None
Tennis Courts None
Bowling Greens None
Playgrounds None

Services

Schools
7
1 school in area · 2 within 4km
1Good
  • Hamsterley Primary SchoolPrimary · inspected 2025
    Good

Score reflects proximity-weighted access to rated schools within 4km: areas with more nearby schools score higher regardless of settlement boundary.

Healthcare
15
A&E departmentsUniversity Hospital of North Durham11.8 mi
Darlington Memorial Hospital13.9 mi
Queen Elizabeth Hospital20.4 mi
Hospital waitsNorth Tees And Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust3.3 mi
Routine referral (median)9 wks
Treated within 18 weeks70.6%
A&E seen within 4 hrs86.2%
Nearest GP surgeryPinfold Medical Practice3.4 mi
GP capacity1,229 patients per GP
0dentists0pharmacies

Score reflects proximity to CQC-rated GP surgeries and hospitals, not facility count. Dentists and pharmacies are shown for context but don't affect the score.

Broadband
14
Full fibre (FTTP)82.9%
available across County Durham
Gigabit-capable · incl. cable
21%
Ultrafast (300+ Mbps)
21%
Superfast (30+ Mbps)
100%
Ofcom Connected Nations · 16 postcodes · full fibre at local-authority level

Economy & Bills

Economic Health
60
Employment rate55.3%
Below the Great Britain average of 57.3% of residents aged 16+
Economic activity (16+)
Employed55.3%Unemployed1.8%Retired30.5%Student3.1%Other inactive9.2%
Occupation mix
Professional & managerial35.7%Skilled & technical39.9%Routine & elementary24.3%
Highest qualification (16+)
No qualifications17.6%Level 1 (1–4 GCSEs)10.6%Level 2 (5+ GCSEs)13.4%Level 3 (A levels)17.7%Level 4+ (degree & above)32.5%Apprenticeship5.5%Other (incl. vocational)2.6%
Home ownership73.6%
Among the most-deprived 31% of areas in England
Census 2021/22 (Great Britain) · deprivation: IoD 2025 / SIMD
Bills
34
Council tax Durham · 2026-27
A £1,748
B £2,039
C £2,331
D £2,622
E £3,205
F £3,787
G £4,370
H £5,244
Energy North East England region
Typical bill regional £1,641/yr
Ofgem price cap, GB average · Apr–Jun 2026
Typical home efficiency local EPC band E
Water Northumbrian Water
Average bill regional £435/yr
Combined water & sewerage · GB average £520

Transport

Transport
15
Bishop Auckland 5.8 mi
Shildon 8 mi
Newton Aycliffe 10.1 mi
J59 A1(M) 12.1 mi
J58 A1(M) 12.1 mi
J59 A1(M) 12.2 mi

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
5
Pubs & Bars Some 1
Restaurants & Cafes None
Supermarkets & Convenience None
Retail Shopping None
Takeaways None
Fitness None

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House Prices

Not enough recent sales

Fewer than 10 sales were recorded in Hamsterley in the last 12 months, which isn't enough for a reliable median. Smaller villages often fall below this in any given year. Figures come from HM Land Registry Price Paid data and are updated monthly, so this may fill in later.

Nearby places

Witton-le-Wear 35 1.8 mi away ⇄
Toft Hill and High Etherley 48 3.3 mi away ⇄
Witton Park 47 3.6 mi away ⇄
Crook 41 3.8 mi away ⇄
Cockfield 47 4.2 mi away ⇄
Evenwood 40 4.5 mi away ⇄
Hunwick 42 4.6 mi away ⇄
Wolsingham 31 4.7 mi away ⇄
West Auckland 39 4.9 mi away ⇄
Billy Row 51 5.0 mi away ⇄
Tow Law 28 5.1 mi away ⇄
Bishop Auckland 50 5.6 mi away ⇄

Frequently asked questions

Is Hamsterley a nice place to live?

Hamsterley has some challenges compared to many UK areas. Our liveability score for Hamsterley is 33/100, placing it among a below-average areas in the UK across nine categories: safety, schools, healthcare, environment, transport, broadband, lifestyle, economic health, and bills.

How safe is Hamsterley?

Hamsterley is a relatively safe area to live. Our safety score is 75/100. There were 127 crimes recorded in the area over the past 12 months.

What are the best schools in Hamsterley?

Among the top-rated schools in Hamsterley is Hamsterley Primary School, rated Good by Ofsted. There are 1 rated schools in Hamsterley in total.

Hamsterley in context

See the best places to live in County Durham, ranked

Postcode districts in Hamsterley

DL13 35 ⇄

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