Gateshead has a vibrant local community with close ties to Newcastle's population. It has steadily grown from 191,000 in 2001, to 204,000 in 2007.
There is an exciting and harmonious mix of international cultures in the area. Including significant Jewish, Hindu and Muslim communities. In particular, the Jewish community is the largest in the North East England, and the Gateshead Yeshiva is one of the most important yeshivas in Europe.
NewcastleGateshead is now one of the most popular places to live, work and have fun in the North East:
- Ranked one of the best places to live in Europe, according to a poll carried out by Gallup on behalf of the European Commission (Aug 2007)
- Location, Location, Location magazine named NewcastleGateshead the North's hottest property spot since 2001 with prices rising by 50% (2007)
- NewcastleGateshead has reversed the 'brain drain' of graduates and professional to London according to new regeneration report 'Northern Soul' published by think-tank DEMOS and Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICs) (2003).
- Figures from Office of National Statistics show that more people relocated from London and the South-East to the region than moved in the other direction in 2002 (the first time in more than 10 years).