Briar Close is in Shiney Row, Houghton Le Spring and in Chester-Le-Street district. DH4 4PY is located in the Shiney Row electoral ward, within the English Parliamentary constituency of Houghton and Sunderland South. This postcode has been in use since 1980-01-01.
StreetScan combines information about Briar Close, Shiney Row, Houghton Le Spring, DH4 4PY and displays a report on the quality of life in this place and its surroundings.
Nearby postcodes are: DH4 4PS, DH4 4PU, DH4 4PT, DH4 4PR, DH4 4PW, DH4 4QF, DH4 4PX, DH4 4QH, DH4 4PJ.
In the UK, the overall gender distribution is approximately 49% male and 51% female. The local area around DH4 4PY is generally consistent with those figures, having a male population of 48.6%.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Female | 49.7% | 51.4% | 1.7% | 51.0% | 0.4% |
| Male | 50.3% | 48.6% | -1.7% | 49.0% | -0.4% |
Across the UK, the average relationship status breakdown is roughly 44% married, 38% single, 9% divorced, 6% widowed, and 2% separated.
In the immediate vicinity of DH4 4PY there is a very large concentration of residents that are married - 61.5% of the resident population. In contrast, the average marriage rate across the census is about 44%.
Areas with a high percentage of married residents are typically suburban neighborhoods, towns with good schools and family-friendly amenities, and regions with affordable, spacious housing options. Additionally, such areas can be popular among retirees.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single | 21.9% | 22.7% | 0.8% | 37.9% | -15.2% |
| Married: Opposite sex | 56.6% | 61.5% | 4.9% | 44.2% | 17.3% |
| Separated | 1.2% | 0% | -1.2% | 2.2% | -2.2% |
| Divorced | 9.8% | 7% | -2.8% | 9.1% | -2.1% |
| Widowed | 10.5% | 8.7% | -1.8% | 6.1% | 2.6% |
Across the UK, the average 48.4% rated their health as Very Good, 33.6% as Good, 12.7% as Fair, 4% as Bad, and 1.2% as Very Bad.
Population age significantly impacts residents' health. Additionally, socioeconomic status plays a crucial role: higher income levels and lower poverty rates are linked to better health outcomes. Affluent areas benefit from higher living standards, access to private healthcare, and healthier lifestyle choices.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Very good health | 45.8% | 35.9% | -9.9% | 48.4% | -12.5% |
| Good health | 36.3% | 40.6% | 4.3% | 33.6% | 7.0% |
| Fair health | 13.7% | 17.5% | 3.8% | 12.7% | 4.8% |
| Bad health | 4.2% | 6% | 1.8% | 4.0% | 2.0% |
During the 2021 census, the educational qualifications of residents across the UK were as follows: 18.2% had no qualifications, 9.6% had 1-4 GCSEs, 13.4% had 5 or more GCSEs and 1-2 A/AS Levels, 16.9% had 2 or more A Levels, 33.8% held a degree (or equivalent), and 5.4% had completed an apprenticeship.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No qualifications | 22.3% | 14.7% | -7.6% | 18.2% | -3.5% |
| 1-4 GCSEs or Equivalent | 10.2% | 6.7% | -3.5% | 9.6% | -2.9% |
| 5 or more GCSEs, an A-Level or 1-2 AS Levels | 17.6% | 11.2% | -6.4% | 13.4% | -2.2% |
| Apprenticeship | 8.6% | 10.9% | 2.3% | 5.3% | 5.6% |
| HNC, HND or 2+ A Levels | 12.5% | 21.4% | 8.9% | 16.9% | 4.5% |
| Degree or Similar | 26.6% | 31.9% | 5.3% | 33.8% | -1.9% |
| Other | 2.3% | 3.2% | 0.9% | 2.8% | 0.4% |
In this area, the population is predominantly white, with 98.1% identifying as such, significantly higher than the UK average of 81.4%. This indicates a lower level of ethnic diversity compared to the broader UK population.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese | 0.3% | 0.6% | 0.3% | 0.7% | -0.1% |
| Black Caribbean | 0.7% | 0% | -0.7% | 1.0% | -1.0% |
| Mixed White and Asian | 0.7% | 0.3% | -0.4% | 0.8% | -0.5% |
| Mixed White and Caribbean | 0% | 1% | 1.0% | 0.9% | 0.1% |
| White | 98.4% | 98.1% | -0.3% | 81.4% | 16.7% |
In this area, 98.4% of the population were born in the United Kingdom, which is higher than the UK average of 83.2%.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 95.1% | 98.4% | 3.3% | 83.2% | 15.2% |
| European Union | 2% | 0% | -2.0% | 6.1% | -6.1% |
| Rest of Europe | 0.3% | 0% | -0.3% | 0.8% | -0.8% |
| Africa | 1% | 0.3% | -0.7% | 2.7% | -2.4% |
| Middle East and Asia | 0.3% | 1% | 0.7% | 5.6% | -4.6% |
| The Americas and the Caribbean | 0.7% | 0% | -0.7% | 1.3% | -1.3% |
| Oceania | 0.7% | 0.3% | -0.4% | 0.3% | 0.0% |
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born in the UK | 94.8% | 98.4% | 3.6% | 83.2% | 15.2% |
| 10+ Years | 0.3% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 9.8% | -8.2% |
| 5-10 Years | 1% | 0% | -1.0% | 2.9% | -2.9% |
| 2-5 Years | 1% | 0% | -1.0% | 2.2% | -2.2% |
| Less than 2 years | 2.9% | 0% | -2.9% | 1.9% | -1.9% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 88.1% | 76.7% | 11.4% |
| South and Eastern Africa | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.1% |
| No passport held | 11.6% | 13.5% | -1.9% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No religion | 29.6% | 37.2% | -7.6% |
| Christian | 66.6% | 46.2% | 20.4% |
| Other religion | 0.3% | 0.6% | -0.3% |
| Not answered | 3.5% | 6.0% | -2.5% |
Over the last 12 months, the overall crime rate around Briar Close was 3.4 per 1,000 residents, which is 96.2% lower than the Houghton average. The most reported crime type was Violence and sexual offences.
Briar Close has the lowest crime rate of 59 local areas in Houghton and the 2nd lowest crime rate of 926 local areas in Sunderland .
Violent and sexual offences accounted for around 3.4 crimes per 1,000 residents and have been rising year on year. Over the last decade, overall crime has fallen by about -93.5%.

Households in this area have a lower level of wealth compared to the average household in England and Wales. 75% of analyzed areas in England and Wales have higher average household annual income than this area.

| Address | Sale Price | Sale Date | Price Estimate 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Briar Close, Houghton Le Spring, Tyne And Wear Semi-Detached, an established residential building | £123,000 | 2024-09-06 | £129,519 |
| 13 Briar Close, Houghton Le Spring, Tyne And Wear Semi-Detached, an established residential building | £168,000 | 2023-02-28 | £179,780 |
| 1 Briar Close, Houghton Le Spring, Tyne And Wear Semi-Detached, an established residential building | £152,000 | 2020-02-07 | £195,429 |
| 11 Briar Close, Houghton Le Spring, Tyne And Wear Semi-Detached, an established residential building | £152,500 | 2019-02-28 | £199,234 |
| 1 Briar Close, Houghton Le Spring, Tyne And Wear Semi-Detached, an established residential building | £124,000 | 2016-07-22 | £166,122 |
DH4 4PY area has a low unemployment rate. According to Census 2021, 2% residents of this area were unemployed, while the average in the UK was 4.83%. A low level of unemployment in an area indicates a strong job market, where most people who are seeking work can find employment. This generally reflects a healthy economy in the area.
The percentage of retired residents living in DH4 4PY area is much higher than the country's average. According to Census 2011, 36% residents of this area were retired, while the average in the UK was 14%.
| Full-Time Employee | 103 |
| Retired | 102 |
| Part-Time Employee | 27 |
| Student (economically inactive) | 12 |
| Self-Employed | 10 |
| Looking after home or family | 8 |
| Other | 6 |
| Full-Time Student (with or without job) | 6 |
| Long-Term Sick or disabled | 6 |
| Unemployed | 5 |
| Manufacturing | 28 |
| Education | 25 |
| Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motor cycles | 20 |
| Human health and social work activities | 19 |
| Public administration and defence; compulsory social security | 17 |
| Construction | 10 |
| Administrative and support service activities | 8 |
| Transport and storage | 8 |
| Professional, scientific and technical activities | 7 |
| Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply | 5 |
| Financial and insurance activities | 5 |
| Accommodation and food service activities | 4 |
| Information and communication | 3 |
| Other | 2 |
| Mining and quarrying | 2 |
| Real estate activities | 1 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houghton Le Spring Nursery School Neasham Place , DH5 8AE | 4out of 4 | 3,528 yd | Local authority nursery school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Oxclose Nursery School Brancepeth Road , Oxclose NE38 0LA | 4out of 4 | 5,299 yd | Local authority nursery school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bournmoor Primary School Lambourne Close , Bournmoor DH4 6HF | 3out of 4 | 847 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Shiney Row Primary School Rear South View , Shiney Row DH4 4QP | 3out of 4 | 1,200 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Primary School Station Road , Penshaw DH4 7JZ | 4out of 4 | 1,512 yd | Academy converter | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Woodlea Primary School Fence Houses , DH4 6AR | 3out of 4 | 1,644 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Barnwell Academy Whitefield Estate , Penshaw DH4 7RT | 3out of 4 | 1,722 yd | Academy converter | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kepier Dairy Lane , DH4 5BH | 2out of 4 | 3,280 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| St Robert of Newminster Catholic School and Sixth Form College Biddick Lane , NE38 8AF | 3out of 4 | 3,510 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Biddick Academy Biddick Lane , NE38 8AL | 2out of 4 | 3,909 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Park View School Church Chare , DH3 3QA | 3out of 4 | 4,582 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Oxclose Community Academy Dilston Close , Oxclose Village NE38 0LN | 3out of 4 | 5,222 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia Grange School Oxclose Road , NE38 7NY | 4out of 4 | 4,078 yd | Community special school | No | Mixed | More About School |
School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Olive Deli | 27 - 28 Hindsons Crescent North, Houghton-le-Spring | 656 yd | |
| Coffee Connect | 15, Westbourne Terrace | 1,048 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rana's Fish \& Chips | 38, Westbourne Terrace | 950 yd | |
| Village Spice | 40, Westbourne Terrace | 950 yd | |
| Pizza Box | 34, Westbourne Terrace | 950 yd | |
| Spicy China | 31 Westbourne Terrace, Houghton-le-Spring | 1,000 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heron Foods | Chester Road, Shiney Row | 852 yd | |
| Co-Op | 3, 1 | 967 yd |
| Facility Name | Sport Objects | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Shiney Row TRINITY PARK | grass pitches | 909 yd |
| Burnmoor Cricket Club | grass pitches, tennis courts | 994 yd |
This statistics are based on Active Places Data - Contains Data © Sport England
| Percentage of premises that have Superfast Broadband (30Mbit/s or greater) coverage from fixed broadband | 100.0% |
| Percentage of premises that have Ultrafast Broadband (100Mbit/s or greater) coverage from fixed broadband | 100.0% |
| Percentage of premises that have Ultrafast Broadband (300Mbit/s or greater) coverage from fixed broadband | 100.0% |
| Percentage of premises that have coverage from a Gigabit capable service from fixed broadband | 100.0% |
| Percentage of premises unable to receive 2Mbit/s | 0.0% |
| Percentage of premises unable to receive 5Mbit/s | 0.0% |
| Percentage of premises unable to receive 10Mbit/s | 0.0% |
| Percentage of premises unable to receive 30Mbit/s | 0.0% |
| Median download speed | 46.4 Mbit/s |
| Average download speed | 57.1 Mbit/s |
| Minimum download speed | 200 Mbit/s |
| Maximum download speed | 200 Mbit/s |
| Median upload speed | 7.5 Mbit/s |
| Average upload speed | 8.8 Mbit/s |
| Maximum upload speed | 20 Mbit/s |
Broadband statistics are based on Ofcom's Communications Market Report (CMR) 2022.