Hartlepool scores 947 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 309th of 361 local authorities and 53 points below the UK benchmark. Its strongest result comes on ESG, where it sits in the top third of all authorities. Innovation is the weakest pillar, ranking 341st nationally.
Each score is averaged across active companies in the area, with corporate groups counted once. That approach means a smaller authority with active, high-growth companies can outscore a much larger one, making this a fair comparison between authorities of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Hartlepool's 947 places it below that national benchmark across its 3,354 active companies. The likely range of 927 to 967 shows how much the score could shift with a slightly different mix of companies; a score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on.
North East
Each dot shows the pillar score on a scale where the UK as a whole scores 1,000, marked by the line. The paler band is the likely range. The composite weights Innovation, Scaling and Investment 30% each and ESG 10%.
How Hartlepool's composite score of 947 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
922
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−78 points against the UK · Likely range 895–949 · 30% of the composite
Innovation captures the presence of patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector membership among a place's companies. Hartlepool ranks 341st of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 922, which is 78 points below the UK benchmark, the weakest of its four pillar results and an area where local companies trail the national picture considerably.
Tagged with any industry or buzzword on a curated list of innovative sectors, for example chips, biotechnology, quantum, AI, data, SaaS, FinTech and CleanTech. About 2.5% of companies.
Tagged with any of the eight IS-8 sectors: advanced manufacturing, clean energy, creative industries, digital and technologies, financial services, life sciences, professional and business services, and defence. About 18% of companies.
We publish a score for each pillar, not for the measures inside it. The percentage beside each measure is how much it counts towards the pillar score. Select the lock to see the companies behind a measure on the Beauhurst platform.
Scaling
958
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−42 points against the UK · Likely range 920–996 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures scaleup status, headcount growth and accelerator participation. Hartlepool ranks 318th of 360 authorities with a score of 958, sitting 42 points below the UK benchmark. While that still places it in the lower half nationally, the gap to the benchmark is narrower here than on Innovation or Investment.
Annualised three-year employee growth rate over the latest four years of accounts, including group accounts, for companies with five or more employees at the start (capped). All other companies count as zero.
We publish a score for each pillar, not for the measures inside it. The percentage beside each measure is how much it counts towards the pillar score. Select the lock to see the companies behind a measure on the Beauhurst platform.
Investment
925
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−75 points against the UK · Likely range 886–964 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raisers, the amount of equity raised and first-time raisers over the last five years. Hartlepool scores 925 on this pillar, 75 points below the UK benchmark, and ranks 266th of 360 authorities. That rank, while still below the midpoint, means it outperforms roughly a quarter of all authorities on attracting equity into local companies.
Whether the company's first equity deal ever was in the last five years. A first-time raiser always counts as an equity raiser too.
We publish a score for each pillar, not for the measures inside it. The percentage beside each measure is how much it counts towards the pillar score. Select the lock to see the companies behind a measure on the Beauhurst platform.
ESG
1,052
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+52 points against the UK · Likely range 1,018–1,086 · 10% of the composite
ESG looks at clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. This is Hartlepool's clearest strength: a score of 1,052 puts it 52 points above the UK benchmark and 97th of 361 authorities, placing it in the top third nationally and well ahead of its position on any other pillar.
Is limited by guarantee without share capital, a rough indicator of non-profit status.
We publish a score for each pillar, not for the measures inside it. The percentage beside each measure is how much it counts towards the pillar score. Select the lock to see the companies behind a measure on the Beauhurst platform.
Compared to Durham
The chart below shows how Hartlepool's composite score of 947 compares with neighbouring authorities in Durham.
Hartlepool scores 947 on the composite index, placing it 309th of 361 local authorities and 53 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Hartlepool compare with the rest of the North East?
Hartlepool scores 47 points below the North East regional score of 994 and ranks 12th of the 12 authorities in the region.
How does Hartlepool compare with Durham County?
Hartlepool scores 35 points below the Durham county score of 982 and ranks 3rd of the 3 authorities in the county.
Which pillar is Hartlepool strongest on?
ESG is Hartlepool's strongest pillar, with a score of 1,052, placing it 97th of 361 authorities and 52 points above the UK benchmark.
Which pillar is Hartlepool weakest on?
Innovation is the weakest pillar, with a score of 922, ranking 341st of 361 authorities and sitting 78 points below the UK benchmark.
How many companies are counted in Hartlepool's score?
The index covers 3,354 active companies in Hartlepool, with corporate groups counted once rather than as individual registered entities.
Explore the data behind the index
Every score on this page is built from real, named company activity, patent filings, fundraisings, spinouts and scaleups. Book a call to see the data behind any authority's score, and how Beauhurst can support your work.
