North Yorkshire scores 987 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 140th of 361 local authorities and 13 points below the UK benchmark. Its strongest result comes on Scaling, where it sits 9 points above the UK. Investment is the area where it trails most, falling 50 points below the benchmark.
Each score is averaged across the authority's active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That approach means a smaller authority with highly active companies can score just as well as a larger one, making the index a fair comparison between authorities of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so North Yorkshire's composite of 987 places it just below the national level. The likely range for that score is 980 to 994, which shows how much the result could shift with a slightly different mix of companies; a score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on.
Yorkshire and The Humber
Each dot shows the pillar score on a scale where the UK as a whole scores 1,000, marked by the line. The paler band is the likely range. The composite weights Innovation, Scaling and Investment 30% each and ESG 10%.
How North Yorkshire's composite score of 987 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
986
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−14 points against the UK · Likely range 976–996 · 30% of the composite
Innovation captures patents, academic spinout status, R&D grant value, presence in innovative sectors and IS-8 sector classification. North Yorkshire scores 986 on this pillar, 14 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 135th of 361 authorities. Its companies outperform 62.6% of authorities on this dimension, placing it just below the national average for innovation activity.
Tagged with any industry or buzzword on a curated list of innovative sectors, for example chips, biotechnology, quantum, AI, data, SaaS, FinTech and CleanTech. About 2.5% of companies.
Tagged with any of the eight IS-8 sectors: advanced manufacturing, clean energy, creative industries, digital and technologies, financial services, life sciences, professional and business services, and defence. About 18% of companies.
We publish a score for each pillar, not for the measures inside it. The percentage beside each measure is how much it counts towards the pillar score. Select the lock to see the companies behind a measure on the Beauhurst platform.
Scaling
1,009
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+9 points against the UK · Likely range 995–1,023 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures whether companies meet the 20% scaleup threshold, headcount growth over recent years and accelerator attendance. At 1,009, North Yorkshire sits 9 points above the UK benchmark and ranks 122nd of 360 authorities, outperforming 66.1% of all areas. This is its strongest pillar, suggesting companies here are adding staff at a pace broadly in line with, and slightly ahead of, the UK as a whole.
Annualised three-year employee growth rate over the latest four years of accounts, including group accounts, for companies with five or more employees at the start (capped). All other companies count as zero.
We publish a score for each pillar, not for the measures inside it. The percentage beside each measure is how much it counts towards the pillar score. Select the lock to see the companies behind a measure on the Beauhurst platform.
Investment
950
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−50 points against the UK · Likely range 936–964 · 30% of the composite
The Investment pillar covers equity raisers, the amount of equity raised in the last five years and first-time raisers. North Yorkshire scores 950 here, 50 points below the UK benchmark and ranking 155th of 360 authorities. This is its weakest pillar, indicating that equity financing activity among local companies is less common than in many other parts of the country.
Whether the company's first equity deal ever was in the last five years. A first-time raiser always counts as an equity raiser too.
We publish a score for each pillar, not for the measures inside it. The percentage beside each measure is how much it counts towards the pillar score. Select the lock to see the companies behind a measure on the Beauhurst platform.
ESG
1,032
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+32 points against the UK · Likely range 1,021–1,043 · 10% of the composite
ESG reflects clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals and a not-for-profit proxy. North Yorkshire scores 1,032, some 32 points above the UK benchmark, and ranks 123rd of 361 authorities, outperforming 65.9% of all areas. This above-average result points to a relatively strong presence of companies with green, social or governance characteristics.
Is limited by guarantee without share capital, a rough indicator of non-profit status.
We publish a score for each pillar, not for the measures inside it. The percentage beside each measure is how much it counts towards the pillar score. Select the lock to see the companies behind a measure on the Beauhurst platform.
Compared to North Yorkshire
The chart below places North Yorkshire's composite score alongside its neighbours in the county and region, including York, which leads the county with a score of 1,035.
How does North Yorkshire rank on the UK Local Growth Index?
North Yorkshire ranks 140th of 361 local authorities, scoring 987 against a UK benchmark of 1,000. That places it 13 points below the national level.
How does North Yorkshire compare to the rest of Yorkshire and The Humber?
North Yorkshire scores 11 points above the regional average of 976, ranking 4th of the 15 authorities in Yorkshire and The Humber.
Which pillar is North Yorkshire's strongest?
Scaling is its strongest pillar, with a score of 1,009, placing it 9 points above the UK benchmark and 122nd of 360 authorities nationally.
Where does North Yorkshire score lowest?
Investment is its lowest pillar at 950, which is 50 points below the UK benchmark. This reflects relatively limited equity financing activity among local companies.
How many companies are counted in North Yorkshire's score?
The index covers 33,120 active companies in North Yorkshire, with corporate groups counted once rather than as separate registered entities.
What does the UK Local Growth Index actually measure?
It measures the characteristics of a local authority's business economy across four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG. It is not a measure of economic output or GDP; it reflects how active local companies are across those dimensions.
Explore the data behind the index
Every score on this page is built from real, named company activity, patent filings, fundraisings, spinouts and scaleups. Book a call to see the data behind any authority's score, and how Beauhurst can support your work.
