Wylam’s story
10 listed buildings, 1 of them Grade II*
Historic England lists them inside Wylam’s built-up area.
36% of its homes were built before 1919, against 15% in the typical UK town.
Explore the history →
WylamNorthumberland
Home to 1,661 people, this village lies in Northumberland, North East.
7 places within 12 milesMap →
Wylam Hall · Photo: Andrew Curtis · CC BY-SA 2.0
Population
1,661
Census 2021 · Northumberland council
Median home
£293K
68 sales in 3 years
Median age
51.1
28% are 65+ · Northumberland 25%
Degree level
52%
of residents 16+ · England 34%
Walk, cycle, bus
18%
of commuters · England 27%
Is Wylam a good place to live?
Where it does best is safety — 7.4 violent or sexual offences per 1,000 residents a year, plus 6 home and vehicle crimes. Jobs & income is a strength too — the mean household earns £57,298 a year. The median home sold for £292,500, 6.3 times what households in the Northumberland council area earn in a year. Pre-1919 homes make up 36% of the housing.
Figures: crime, police.uk, averaged Sep 2023 to Aug 2026 · income, ONS · claimants, DWP · prices, HM Land Registry, the last three years. Wylam has fewer than 2,500 residents, so it gets subject grades but no overall grade.
Northumbria Police published 34 of the 36 months; rates are per year over the months published.
What makes Wylam stand out
The 3 things Wylam does most differently from other towns.
Homes built before 1919
History
Against 15% in the typical UK town
Valuation Office Agency, homes by build period.
92%of UK towns of 1,000 to 2,500 people
Safety
of UK towns of 1,000 to 2,500 people
Per resident, police.uk, 3 years.
Rent against income, UK towns
Renting
£695 a month
ONS private rents, Northumberland council area.
How Wylam grades
Each subject compared with the 2,160 UK towns with an overall grade (schools within England), ordered by how far Wylam is from typical. American towns are graded separately.
SafetyVery little crime by comparisonA+Open →Jobs & incomeNear the top of the towns comparedAOpen →SchoolsPrimary results beat 82% of towns in England; secondary results beat 68% of towns in EnglandA−Open →WalkabilityGraded on how easily people get around without a carB+Open →Hazard risk0% of homes at high or medium risk of flooding from rivers or the seaB+Open →HealthLife expectancy 81.8 for men, 84.9 for womenB+Open →Cost of livingGraded on home prices against local incomesC+Open →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
HistoryBetter than most of the towns comparedB+Open →Outdoors74% live within 400 m of a park; 1.1 ha of public green space per 1,000 residentsC−Open →Civic life4.2 local charities per 1,000 residents; 100% live within 1 km of a libraryA+Open →
How TownRatings grades towns →
The data
Data highlights are ordered by what stands out in Wylam.
Safety
Fewer crimes per resident in Wylam than in 96% of UK towns
A year of reports to August 2026 adds up to 57 offences in Wylam and 18 cases of nuisance behaviour. For its size, Wylam records less crime per resident than 92% of the 1,541 UK towns of 1,000 to 2,500 people. 16% of the crimes fell under violence and sexual offences. There were 16.8 anti-social behaviour reports per 1,000 residents (not graded), near Northumberland’s towns (16.8) and higher than England’s towns (7.8).
7.4violent and sexual offences per 1,000 a yearA+Safety Grade
Compared with UK towns its sizeLess crime per resident than 92% of the 1,541 UK towns of 1,000 to 2,500 people: less crime than most for its size. Context only, not part of the grade.
Reports by type · Sep 2025 to Aug 2026
Shoplifting29
Violence & sexual9
Burglary5
Vehicle crime4
Public order3
Other theft2
Robbery2
Other crime2
Anti-social18
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.
7.4
violent and sexual offences per 1,000 residents a year, averaged Sep 2023 to Aug 2026
6
burglary, vehicle crime and damage per 1,000 a year, averaged Sep 2023 to Aug 2026
16.8
anti-social behaviour reports per 1,000 (not graded)
57
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.
SchoolsA−
School results in Wylam are better than in 79% of towns in England
Its only school is listed below. Secondary results at the 2 secondary schools within 3 km: an Attainment 8 score of 48.3, with 51% at grade 5 or above in English and maths. Key Stage 2 results at the 6 primary schools within 3 km: just over two thirds of pupils meet the expected standard in reading, writing and maths (three-year average).
A−School Grade
| School | Level | Pupils | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wylam First SchoolLargest primary schoolPrimary | Primary | 131 | – |
Department for Education · GIAS, Key Stage 2 and GCSE resultsThe Schools page →
Work & commuteJobs & income grade A
Work tends to be further away for Wylam: 13% commute under 5 km, below Northumberland’s towns and England’s towns
The Census was taken on 21 March 2021, in lockdown, so 37% of workers were mainly at home; shares here are of those who travelled.
At the census, 18% went to work on foot, by bike or by public transport, about level with Northumberland’s towns (18%) and below England’s towns (27%). 1.4% of people aged 16 to 64 were on unemployment benefits in 2026. Work in town: 3% of resident commuters. For every resident in work, Wylam has 0.3 jobs.
18%walk, cycle or ride
How commuters got to work · March 2021
Driving79%
On foot9%
Bicycle4%
Train3%
Bus2%
13%
of commuters travel under 5 km · England 45%
37%
worked mainly from home in March 2021
£57K
mean household income, before tax
1.4%
of 16 to 64s claim unemployment benefits (2026)
B+
Walkability: more walkable than 70% of UK towns
ONS Census 2021, method of travel and distance to work · ONS small-area income · DWP claimant count · OGL
Health
Bad health is less common in Wylam than in Northumberland’s towns or across England’s towns: 3.8% of residents
16% of residents have a disability, below Northumberland’s towns (22%) and England’s towns (17%) alike. Self-reported good health: 85% of Wylam’s residents. This Northumberland town has no GP practice of its own; the nearest is 0.3 miles away. Women here live to 84.9 on average and men to 81.8 (2019–23).
85%good or very good healthB+Health Grade
General health, self-reported
Good or very good 85%Fair 11%Bad or very bad 4%
| Census 2021 | Wylam | Northumberland | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Good or very good health | 85% | 78% | 82% |
| Bad or very bad health | 3.8% | 6.5% | 5.2% |
| Disabled (Equality Act) | 16% | 22% | 17% |
81.8
life expectancy at birth, men (2019–23)
84.9
life expectancy at birth, women
ONS Census 2021, general health and disability · OHID Fingertips, life expectancy 2019–23 · OGL · The census answers take no account of age, so a young town looks healthier; the Health Grade relies on age-adjusted measures, life expectancy and early deaths among them.
History
Wylam keeps more of its old housing than Northumberland’s towns or England’s towns: 36% built before 1919
The heritage lists give each building’s grade but not its age, so we don’t say which is oldest.
Grade II* covers 1 of them. Wylam has 10 listed buildings on Historic England’s list: 1 Grade II*. It has 60 listed buildings for every 10,000 residents, above Northumberland’s towns (45) and England’s towns (39) alike.
10listed buildingsB+History Grade
Listed buildings by grade · Historic England
Grade I0
Grade II*1
Grade II9
Among them · Grade II*
- Wylam Hall Grade II*
0
scheduled monuments
0
registered parks and gardens
36%
of homes built before 1919 · typical UK town 15%
60
listed buildings per 10,000 residents · typical UK town 24
Historic England list, October 2026 · Valuation Office Agency, homes by build period · OGL
HousingCost of living grade C+
Wylam is a town of owners: 82% of households own their home, above Northumberland’s towns and England’s towns
Council and housing-body homes hold 8% of households. 10% rent privately, below Northumberland’s towns (15%) and England’s towns (21%) alike. Private rents average £695 a month across the Northumberland council area.
£293Kmedian sale
Median sale price · Sep 2023 to Aug 2026
Wylam£293K
Typical UK town£277K
| By type | Median | Sales |
|---|---|---|
| Detached | £315,000 | 15 |
| Semi-detached | £419,000 | 9 |
| Terraced | £285,000 | 41 |
82%
of households own their home · England 61%
10%
rent privately · England 21%
£695
average private rent a month, Northumberland council area
£2,594
council tax, Band D, 2026–27
HM Land Registry Price Paid · ONS private rents · MHCLG / Welsh Government council tax · ONS Census 2021 tenure · OGL
Who lives here
More people in Wylam hold a degree than in Northumberland’s towns or England’s towns: 52%
Nearly a tenth of the population is aged 15 to 24, lower than both Northumberland’s towns (9.4%) and England’s towns (12%). Retirement age and beyond: 28% of residents are 65 or older. At 51.1, the median resident of Wylam sits in the middle of the age range.
51.1median age
WylamNorthumberlandEngland
Ages · share of residents
28%
Qualifications · residents 16 and older
No qualifications10%
Apprenticeship4%
A levels or similar14%
Degree level52%
Women and men · all residents
50% women, 50% men
About an even split. Across England, 51% of residents are women.
| Wylam | Northumberland | England | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 15 | 15% | 15% | 18% |
| 15–24 | 8.1% | 9.4% | 12% |
| 25–44 | 18% | 22% | 27% |
| 45–64 | 31% | 28% | 25% |
| 65+ | 28% | 25% | 18% |
| No qualifications | 10% | 19% | 18% |
| Apprenticeship | 3.8% | 7.1% | 5.3% |
| A levels or similar | 14% | 18% | 17% |
| Degree level | 52% | 29% | 34% |
ONS Census 2021 · Northumberland and England: all residents of their built-up areas · OGL
Nearby attractions
All attractions →Railway Museum and 4 more in and around Wylam
Museums, castles, gardens and days out in and near Wylam. Best known first.
MuseumMuseumRailway Museumin town
Castle · English HeritagePrudhoe Castle2.2 km outside town, to the southwest
Museum · National TrustGeorge Stephenson's Birthplace300 m outside town, to the east
Museum · National TrustCherryburn - Thomas Bewick Museum4 km outside town, to the southwest
MuseumNewburn Hall Motor Museum4.5 km outside town, to the east
Castle · English HeritagePrudhoe Castle2.2 km outside town, to the southwestMuseum · National TrustGeorge Stephenson's Birthplace300 m outside town, to the eastMuseum · National TrustCherryburn - Thomas Bewick Museum4 km outside town, to the southwestMuseumNewburn Hall Motor Museum4.5 km outside town, to the eastPlaces: © OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata
Photos: each place’s Wikidata image, from Wikimedia Commons under the licence below (our copy, resized).
Photo credits (4)
- Prudhoe Castle: Chris Tweedy, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- George Stephenson's Birthplace: Ken Brown, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Cherryburn - Thomas Bewick Museum: Mike Quinn, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Newburn Hall Motor Museum: Andrew Curtis, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Wylam
14pages on Wylam
The big questions
SafetyA+7.4 violent and sexual offences per 1,000 residents a year, averaged Sep 2023 to Aug 2026Cost of livingC+Median home £293K · rent £695 a monthHousing22 sold in 12 months · busiest street Tynedale CloseSchoolsA−1 state schoolHealthB+Life expectancy 81.8 (men), 84.9 (women)Work & commuteA48% of working residents work in the townFlood & hazardsB+0% of homes at high or medium flood risk
Out and about
Wylam’s neighbours
The nearest built-up areas, from ONS’s 2022 boundaries. See them on the map →
Heddon-on-the-WallPrudhoeOvinghamCrawcrook and GreensideRytonThrockleyNewburnWylam
How the neighbours grade
| Town | People | Miles | Overall | Cost | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wylam | 1,661 | — | — | C+ | A+ | B+ |
| Heddon-on-the-Wall | 1,300 | 1.7 | — | C+ | A | A+ |
| Prudhoe | 10,285 | 1.8 | B− | A | C | C− |
| Ovingham | 1,155 | 1.8 | — | A− | B− | B |
| Crawcrook and Greenside | 7,544 | 1.9 | B+ | B− | B | C |
| Ryton | 8,804 | 2.8 | B− | C | C+ | C+ |
| Throckley | 6,207 | 2.8 | C | C− | C− | C− |
| Newburn | 1,475 | 3.3 | — | C | D− | D |
Heddon-on-the-Wall, Ovingham and Newburn have fewer than 2,500 residents, so they get subject grades but no overall grade. People: Census 2021. Miles: centre to centre.
Questions about Wylam
How many listed buildings are there in Wylam?
That is 2.5 times the typical UK town for its size.
Are schools in Wylam good?
Primary schools stand out: Key Stage 2 results beat 82% of towns in England. Secondary results beat 68%. One state school is inside the town; places are handled by Northumberland council.
About Wylam
Village in Northumberland, England
Wylam is a built-up area of 1,661 people, in the Northumberland 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
- 1,661 (Census 2021)
- Council
- Northumberland
- County
- Northumberland
- Region
- North East
- Area
- 0.2 sq mi (0.5 km²)
- ONS code
- E63000088
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.