Bishop Auckland South
County Durham 058 · 5 sub-areas · 7,133 residents
County Durham 058 is a predominantly residential part of County Durham, home to around 7,100 people. Rents are notably low by any UK standard — a typical two-bedroom lets for about £563 a month, well under half the UK national median for a two-bed. The area skews older and is heavily car-dependent, with a large share of social housing compared to the national picture.
Bishop Auckland South is a settled residential pocket of County Durham. The bigger gravitational centre is Leeds, around 94 minutes away by direct train, but most days don't require leaving — local life is what people are here for.
Overview
What's it like to live in Bishop Auckland South?
Greenspace is on the doorstep — a park or playing field is within walking distance of most homes; Recorded crime is higher than the national norm — common for built-up urban areas, but worth weighing if you're looking for a quieter base; Public transport is genuinely strong; most errands and a fair share of social life don't need a car; rents are below the national norm, with a typical home letting at around £632 a month; gigabit broadband is effectively universal.
Generated from the latest May 2026 data · refreshed automatically
Figures are aggregated across 5 sub-areas — population-weighted means for rates, sums for counts. Sources cited beneath each section.
Bishop Auckland South in County Durham
Living in Bishop Auckland South
This corner of County Durham is quiet, settled, and affordable in a way that's increasingly rare in England. Almost two-thirds of residents drive to work, and the nearest rail station is roughly 1.3 km away — about a 17-minute walk. It's not a place you'd choose for walkable city living, but for those who want space, low rents, and a stable community, it delivers in ways that most of England can't match.
The cost picture here is genuinely striking. A median rent of £632 a month for any property puts this area among the most affordable in the country. Even a three-bedroom home averages £673 a month — less than a one-bedroom in many southern cities. Rents rose 6.5% in the past year, which is real movement, but from such a low base that the affordability position stays strong. You'd need just under two years of median savings to cover a deposit, compared to a decade-plus in parts of London.
The population skews noticeably older than most urban neighbourhoods. Around one in five residents is over 65, and the 50–64 bracket accounts for a further fifth of the population. Single-person households make up about a third of all homes. Nearly 39% of housing is social rented — far above the national share — while private renters account for only around 14%. Owner-occupation sits at 47%, meaning most households here either own outright or rent through a social landlord.
Degree-level qualifications are relatively uncommon: around 17% of residents hold a degree, compared to significantly higher shares in university cities. The unemployment claimant rate of 3.1% is modest, though the local economy leans heavily on health and public-sector work rather than high-wage sectors. The area scores in the most deprived decile nationally, which is reflected in wages — median resident earnings run to around £29,700 a year. See the streets and sub-areas below for more.
What you'll need on day one
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Frequently asked
- Is County Durham 058 a nice place to live?
- It depends what you're after. It's quiet, affordable, and has a genuinely settled community feel — but it's car-dependent, lacks walkable amenities compared to urban neighbourhoods, and sits in the most deprived national decile. For those prioritising low rents and stability over city buzz, it works well. For younger renters wanting nightlife or fast commutes, it's a harder sell.
- What is the rent in County Durham 058?
- A one-bedroom typically runs around £444 a month, a two-bedroom around £563, and a three-bedroom around £673. These are estimates scaled from council-level data using local sale prices. Rents rose roughly 6.5% over the past year, but even so this remains one of the most affordable areas in England.
- Is County Durham 058 safe?
- The recorded crime rate is around 165 incidents per 1,000 residents a year — roughly twice the UK national average. That's elevated and worth factoring into your decision. The area sits in the most deprived national decile, which correlates with higher crime rates. Checking Police.uk for street-level data in the specific streets you're considering is strongly advised.
- What's the commute from County Durham 058 to the nearest city centre?
- Most residents drive — around 66% commute by car. The nearest mainline rail station is about 1.3 km away (roughly a 17-minute walk). Public-transport journeys to major hubs are long: around 145 minutes to Manchester and 177 minutes to London. The nearest major employment hub is about 93 minutes by public transport or car.
- Who lives in County Durham 058?
- Mostly older, settled residents — around 40% are aged 50 or over. Nearly 39% of households are in social rented housing, which is well above the national average. Single-person households account for about a third of all homes. The area is demographically homogeneous, with around 96% of residents born in the UK.
- What schools are near County Durham 058?
- There are 69 schools within 2 km of typical residents, but only around 32% are rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted — significantly below the national share of roughly 89%. The nearest Outstanding-rated school is approximately 2.5 km away. Use the County Durham school finder to check individual school catchments and current inspection ratings.
- How affordable is it to buy in County Durham 058?
- Very affordable by national standards. The median property sale price is around £110,000, and at local salary levels you'd need roughly 1.9 years of savings to cover a typical deposit. That's one of the shortest deposit-saving timelines in England, where double-digit years are common in higher-demand areas.