Sacriston’s story
1 listed building
Historic England lists them inside Sacriston’s built-up area.
23% of its homes were built before 1919, against 15% in the typical UK town.
Explore the history →
SacristonCounty Durham
15% of commuters walk, cycle or take public transport. A town of 5,186 in County Durham, North East.
7 places within 12 milesMap →
Photo: Robert Graham · CC BY-SA 2.0
Population
5,186
Census 2021 · County Durham council
Median home
£127K
177 sales in 3 years
Median age
41.9
19% are 65+ · County Durham 21%
Degree level
25%
of residents 16+ · England 34%
Walk, cycle, bus
15%
of commuters · England 27%
TownGrade
C+
#20 of 52 in County Durham
Is Sacriston a good place to live?
Sacriston’s weakest subject is health (D) — life expectancy is 77.8 for men and 81.8 for women. Safety is weaker too — 38.5 violent or sexual offences per 1,000 residents a year, plus 23.3 home and vehicle crimes. Only 9% of UK towns of 2,500 to 10,000 people have more crime per resident. Homes are affordable: a typical home costs £127,000 and rent runs £650 a month. The overall grade lands at C+, #20 of 52 in County Durham. It comes out better than 42% of UK towns.
Figures: prices, HM Land Registry, the last three years · life expectancy, ONS · crime, police.uk, averaged Sep 2023 to Aug 2026.
What makes Sacriston stand out
The 3 things Sacriston does most differently from other towns.
Median sale, £ thousands
Housing
54% below the typical UK town’s £277K
Standard sales, September 2023 to August 2026.
Walk, cycle or public transport
Getting around
15% leave the car
of commuters walk, cycle or take public transport (England’s towns 27%)
Rent against income, UK towns
Renting
£650 a month
Average private rent, 18% of what households in the area earn: less than in 93% of UK towns
ONS private rents, County Durham council area.
How Sacriston grades
Each subject compared with the 2,160 UK towns with an overall grade (schools within England), ordered by how far Sacriston is from typical. American towns are graded separately.
HealthBased on how healthy residents are for their agesDOpen →SafetyCrime runs among the highest comparedDOpen →Hazard risk0% of homes at high or medium risk of flooding from rivers or the seaAOpen →Cost of livingAmong the best of the towns comparedA−Open →Jobs & income3% of 16 to 64s claim unemployment benefitsC−Open →SchoolsPrimary results beat 62% of towns in England; secondary results beat 63% of towns in EnglandB+Open →WalkabilityNear typical for the towns comparedBOpen →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
History1 listed buildingC−Open →Outdoors72% live within 400 m of a park; 2.1 ha of public green space per 1,000 residentsC+Open →Civic life0.6 local charities per 1,000 residents; 0% live within 1 km of a libraryD−Open →
How TownRatings grades towns →
Nearby attractions
All attractions →Durham Castle and 6 more in and around Sacriston
Museums, castles, gardens and days out in and near Sacriston. Best known first.
CastleDurham Castle4.8 km outside town, to the southeast
Abbey or priory · English HeritageFinchale Priory4.9 km outside town, to the east
Theme parkDiggerland3.2 km outside town, to the southwestMuseumMuseumDurham University Museum of Archaeology4.9 km outside town, to the southeastAttractionAttraction · National TrustCrook Hall Gardens4.3 km outside town, to the southeastTheme parkTheme parkHolmside Park1.8 km outside town, to the northwestPlaces: © OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata
Photos: each place’s Wikidata image, from Wikimedia Commons under the licence below (our copy, resized).
Photo credits (3)
- Durham Castle: Carla Brain, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Finchale Priory: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Diggerland: Roger Smith, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
The data
Data highlights are ordered by what stands out in Sacriston.
Health
More people in Sacriston live with a disability than in County Durham’s towns or across England’s towns: 23%
Poor health, by residents’ own account, affects 7.6% of the town. At the census, 77% of people in Sacriston called their health good or very good, close to County Durham’s towns (77%) and below England’s towns (82%). Men in Sacriston can expect to live to 77.8, women to 81.8 (2019–23). One GP practice serves the town; three quarters of patients rate theirs good in the GP Patient Survey.
77%good or very good healthDHealth Grade
General health, self-reported
Good or very good 77%Fair 16%Bad or very bad 8%
| Census 2021 | Sacriston | County Durham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Good or very good health | 77% | 77% | 82% |
| Bad or very bad health | 7.6% | 7.3% | 5.2% |
| Disabled (Equality Act) | 23% | 22% | 17% |
77.8
life expectancy at birth, men (2019–23)
81.8
life expectancy at birth, women
ONS Census 2021, general health and disability · OHID Fingertips, life expectancy 2019–23 · OGL · Young towns look healthier on these answers, which aren’t adjusted for age; the Health Grade uses measures that are, such as life expectancy and early deaths.
SchoolsB+
School results in Sacriston are better than in 66% of towns in England
The town has one school, shown below. Secondary results at the one secondary school within 3 km: an Attainment 8 score of 48.9, with 47% at grade 5 or above in English and maths. 64% of pupils at the 8 primary schools within 3 km met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths (three-year average).
B+School Grade
| School | Level | Pupils | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sacriston AcademyLargest primary schoolPrimary | Primary | 190 | B+ |
Department for Education · GIAS, Key Stage 2 and GCSE resultsThe Schools page →
Safety
Among the 1,308 UK towns of 2,500 to 10,000 people, Sacriston records more crime per resident than 91% of them
Sacriston logged 517 reported offences in a year (to August 2026), plus 94 complaints of anti-social conduct. Violence and sexual offences made up just over two fifths of the total. Anti-social behaviour, shown but not graded, came to 15.5 reports per 1,000, below County Durham’s towns (16.5) but above England’s towns (7.8).
38.5violent and sexual offences per 1,000 a yearDSafety Grade
Compared with UK towns its sizeLess crime per resident than 9% of the 1,308 UK towns of 2,500 to 10,000 people: more crime than most for its size. Context only, not part of the grade.
Reports by type · Sep 2025 to Aug 2026
Violence & sexual216
Damage & arson90
Shoplifting65
Public order37
Burglary27
Other theft26
Other crime25
Vehicle crime19
Anti-social94
Not gradedAnti-social behaviour, shoplifting and other theft are shown but left out of the Safety Grade, which counts violence and crimes against homes and vehicles per resident.
38.5
violent and sexual offences per 1,000 residents a year, averaged Sep 2023 to Aug 2026
23.3
burglary, vehicle crime and damage per 1,000 a year, averaged Sep 2023 to Aug 2026
15.5
anti-social behaviour reports per 1,000 (not graded)
517
crimes recorded in the 12 months to August 2026
data.police.uk street-level crime · points inside the ONS built-up-area boundary · OGL · The police category of violence and sexual offences includes harassment and stalking.
HousingCost of living grade A−
More households in Sacriston live in social housing than in County Durham’s towns or England’s towns: 25%
16% rent privately, below County Durham’s towns (18%) and England’s towns (21%) alike. From September 2023 to August 2026, 177 homes sold inside Sacriston’s built-up area at standard prices; the middle one went for £127,000. The owner-occupied share of households is 60%.
£127Kmedian sale
Median sale price · Sep 2023 to Aug 2026
Sacriston£127K
Typical UK town£277K
| By type | Median | Sales |
|---|---|---|
| Detached | £212,000 | 35 |
| Semi-detached | £137,000 | 57 |
| Terraced | £97,750 | 84 |
60%
of households own their home · England 61%
16%
rent privately · England 21%
£650
average private rent a month, County Durham council area
£2,553
council tax, Band D, 2026–27
HM Land Registry Price Paid · ONS private rents · MHCLG / Welsh Government council tax · ONS Census 2021 tenure · OGL
History
Sacriston’s one listed building is Grade II
The heritage lists give each building’s grade but not its age, so we don’t say which is oldest.
Scaled to its population, that is 2 listed buildings for every 10,000 people in Sacriston.
1listed buildingsC−History Grade
Listed buildings by grade · Historic England
Grade I0
Grade II*0
Grade II1
0
scheduled monuments
0
registered parks and gardens
23%
of homes built before 1919 · typical UK town 15%
2
listed buildings per 10,000 residents · typical UK town 24
Historic England list, October 2026 · Valuation Office Agency, homes by build period · OGL
Work & commuteJobs & income grade C−
Fewer commuters in Sacriston work nearby than in County Durham’s towns or England’s towns: 28% travel under 5 km
The Census was taken on 21 March 2021, in lockdown, so 23% of workers were mainly at home; shares here are of those who travelled.
For every resident in work, Sacriston has 0.4 jobs. The car took 83% of commuters, above both County Durham’s towns (80%) and England’s towns (70%). Work in town: 4% of resident commuters. A household here earns £43K a year before tax, on average.
15%walk, cycle or ride
How commuters got to work · March 2021
Driving83%
Bus8%
On foot5%
Bicycle1%
28%
of commuters travel under 5 km · England 45%
23%
worked mainly from home in March 2021
£43K
mean household income, before tax
3%
of 16 to 64s claim unemployment benefits (2026)
B
Walkability: more walkable than 55% of UK towns
ONS Census 2021, method of travel and distance to work · ONS small-area income · DWP claimant count · OGL
Who lives here
Degrees are less common in Sacriston than in County Durham’s towns or across England’s towns: 25% of adults
At 41.9, the median resident of Sacriston sits in the middle of the age range. People aged 15 to 24 make up 11% of the town. Children under 15 count for 17% of the people here.
41.9median age
SacristonCounty DurhamEngland
Ages · share of residents
19%
Qualifications · residents 16 and older
No qualifications20%
Apprenticeship7%
A levels or similar20%
Degree level25%
Women and men · all residents
52% women, 48% men
About 94 men for every 100 women. Across England, 51% of residents are women.
| Sacriston | County Durham | England | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 15 | 17% | 17% | 18% |
| 15–24 | 11% | 12% | 12% |
| 25–44 | 26% | 24% | 27% |
| 45–64 | 27% | 27% | 25% |
| 65+ | 19% | 21% | 18% |
| No qualifications | 20% | 21% | 18% |
| Apprenticeship | 6.5% | 6.5% | 5.3% |
| A levels or similar | 20% | 19% | 17% |
| Degree level | 25% | 27% | 34% |
ONS Census 2021 · County Durham and England: all residents of their built-up areas · OGL
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Sacriston
15pages on Sacriston
The big questions
SafetyD38.5 violent and sexual offences per 1,000 residents a year, averaged Sep 2023 to Aug 2026Cost of livingA−Median home £127K · rent £650 a monthHousing50 sold in 12 months · busiest street Holly CrescentSchoolsB+1 state schoolHealthDLife expectancy 77.8 (men), 81.8 (women)Work & commuteC−41% of working residents work in the townFlood & hazardsA0% of homes at high or medium flood risk
Out and about
Famous people from Sacriston
6 notable people were born in Sacriston.
W
Wendy CraigBritish actress · born 1934C
Charlie DixonEnglish football full back born 1891P
Paul BurnEnglish cricketer (born 1963)J
Jack ThomasEnglish footballer (1891-1947) · 1890–1947Photo credits
Bobby Robson: rockface from Ireland, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Jimmy Walton: Thebees1889, CC BY-SA 4.0
Sacriston’s neighbours
The nearest built-up areas, from ONS’s 2022 boundaries. See them on the map →
Witton GilbertLangley ParkWhitehillUshaw Moor and BearparkChester-le-StreetNewfieldBurnhopeSacriston
How the neighbours grade
| Town | People | Miles | Overall | Cost | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sacriston | 5,186 | — | C+ | A− | D | D |
| Witton Gilbert | 2,525 | 0.8 | B | A− | B+ | D |
| Langley Park | 4,031 | 2.5 | C− | A− | C− | C− |
| Whitehill | 1,679 | 2.7 | — | B | D | D− |
| Ushaw Moor and Bearpark | 6,483 | 2.8 | C | A− | D | D |
| Chester-le-Street | 23,554 | 3 | B | A− | C− | C |
| Newfield | 1,529 | 3.2 | — | A− | B+ | D |
| Burnhope | 1,465 | 3.2 | — | A− | C+ | C+ |
Whitehill, Newfield and Burnhope have fewer than 2,500 residents, so they get subject grades but no overall grade. People: Census 2021. Miles: centre to centre.
Questions about Sacriston
Is Sacriston expensive to live in?
Homes cost less than in most UK towns: the median sale over three years was £127,000, against £277,000 in the typical UK town. By type: terraced houses £97,750, semi-detached houses £137,000 and detached houses £212,000.
Does Sacriston flood?
Surface water isn’t included. Check a specific address on GOV.UK’s flood risk service.
About Sacriston
Town in County Durham, England
Sacriston is a built-up area of 5,186 people, in the County Durham council area. TownRatings uses ONS’s 2022 built-up areas as towns: the physical town, as people mean the word, rather than a council district, so its figures cover the town itself.
Built from ONS geography and Census 2021
- Population
- 5,186 (Census 2021)
- Council
- County Durham
- County
- County Durham
- Region
- North East
- Area
- 0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²)
- ONS code
- E63000175
Sources: ONS Census 2021, output areas summed to the ONS 2022 built-up area · HM Land Registry Price Paid (standard sales, September 2023 to August 2026) · ONS Price Index of Private Rents (August 2026, by council) · MHCLG and Welsh Government council tax, Band D 2026–27 (with parish precepts in England) · data.police.uk street-level crime, 36 months to August 2026, points inside the built-up-area boundary · ONS small-area life expectancy and healthy life expectancy, 2019 to 2023 (England and Wales), OHID Fingertips small-area indicators (England) and Census 2021 health, adjusted for age · ONS small-area income estimates (financial year ending 2023) · DWP claimant count via Nomis (January to August 2026) · Historic England, National Heritage List for England (listed buildings, scheduled monuments, registered parks and gardens, battlefields, World Heritage Sites), October 2026, inside the ONS 2022 built-up-area boundary · Valuation Office Agency, Council Tax: stock of properties by build period (31 March 2025) · TownRatings grades: our own summary of the data, ranked against UK towns only. All under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2026. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2026 (ONS boundaries). Northern Ireland: Source: NISRA; contains Land & Property Services data and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland information, © Crown copyright, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Scotland: contains National Records of Scotland data, Registers of Scotland data and SEPA data, © Crown copyright / © SEPA 2025, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.