West Dunbartonshire scores 964 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 240th of 361 UK local authorities and 36 points below the UK benchmark. Its strongest pillar is Investment, where it ranks 149th nationally, while Innovation is its weakest, sitting 67 points below the UK benchmark. Within Scotland, it ranks 20th of 32 authorities, 28 points below the Scottish average.
Each score is calculated as an average across the authority's 2,648 active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That averaging means a smaller authority with highly active companies can score above a larger one with many low-activity firms, making the index a fair basis for comparing authorities of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole is set at 1,000, so West Dunbartonshire's composite of 964 sits somewhat below the national average. The likely range of 935 to 993 shows how much the score could shift with a slightly different mix of local companies; a score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on.
Scotland
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 West Dunbartonshire's composite score of 964 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
933
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−67 points against the UK · Likely range 896–970 · 30% of the composite
Innovation captures patents, R&D grant value, academic spinout status, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector tags across local companies. West Dunbartonshire scores 933 on this pillar, 67 points below the UK benchmark, and ranks 313th of 361 authorities, outperforming only 13.3% of UK local authorities. This is the area's weakest pillar by some distance.
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
996
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−4 points against the UK · Likely range 952–1,040 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures scaleup status, headcount growth and accelerator participation. West Dunbartonshire scores 996 here, just 4 points below the UK benchmark, and ranks 183rd of 360 authorities, outperforming 49.2%. Companies in West Dunbartonshire are broadly keeping pace with the national average on workforce and growth signals.
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
952
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−48 points against the UK · Likely range 901–1,003 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers whether companies have raised equity in the last five years, the amount raised and whether a raise was a company's first ever. West Dunbartonshire's score of 952 ranks 149th of 360 authorities and outperforms 58.6% of UK local authorities, making this the area's strongest pillar relative to its peers despite sitting 48 points below the UK benchmark.
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
996
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−4 points against the UK · Likely range 960–1,032 · 10% of the composite
The ESG pillar reflects clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status among local companies. West Dunbartonshire scores 996, just 4 points below the UK benchmark, and ranks 232nd of 361 authorities, outperforming 35.7%. Performance here is close to the national average.
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 Scotland
The chart below places West Dunbartonshire's composite score alongside its Scottish neighbours, including Orkney Islands, the highest-scoring authority in Scotland at 1,169.
What is West Dunbartonshire's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
West Dunbartonshire scores 964 on the composite index, placing it 240th of 361 UK local authorities and 36 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does West Dunbartonshire compare to the rest of Scotland?
Within Scotland, West Dunbartonshire ranks 20th of 32 authorities, scoring 28 points below the Scottish average of 992.
Which pillar is West Dunbartonshire's strongest?
Investment is its strongest pillar relative to UK peers, with West Dunbartonshire ranking 149th of 360 authorities and outperforming 58.6% of UK local authorities on that measure.
Where does West Dunbartonshire rank for Innovation?
It ranks 313th of 361 authorities on Innovation, scoring 933, which is 67 points below the UK benchmark. This is its weakest pillar.
How many active companies does the index cover in West Dunbartonshire?
The index covers 2,648 active companies in West Dunbartonshire, with corporate groups counted once rather than as separate registered entities.
What does the likely range mean for West Dunbartonshire's score?
The likely range of 935 to 993 shows how much the composite score could shift with a slightly different mix of companies in the area. Scores are only published when this range is narrow enough to rely on.
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.
