Please see Sunderland Statistics below:

• Sunderland is the biggest city in the North East of England, having the largest population of any centre between Leeds and Edinburgh.
   
• Sunderland has a population of 280,600 (63% being of working age). The city is located at the heart of a region that is home to more than 2.5 million people.
   
• Using GVA as a measure of economic growth, the Sunderland economy is growing and GVA per capita levels are increasing at higher rates than both the north east region and nationally.
   
• The last five years alone have seen the city attract more than 9,000 new jobs and investment totalling £1.5 billion.
   
• Sunderland has been highly successful in attracting internationally-mobile inward investment, and is now home to a host of world-class companies, including Nissan, Rolls-Royce, Barclays, Lloyds TSB, EDF Energy and T-Mobile.
   
• A range of new business accommodation has been created in Sunderland, including the continuing development of a prestigious new business park at Rainton Bridge. Rainton Bridge South is one of the best connected e-business parks in Europe.
   
• Sunderland is the top place in the country for business start-ups according to the Royal Mail’s Business Barometer national survey (2008).
   
• Sunderland has gained a worldwide reputation as a centre for automotive manufacturing, employing 12,000 people in the sector. Nissan’s plant in Sunderland, the most productive in Europe, has been given the go-ahead for a £4.5 million expansion with the development of a new business park, which could bring more than 4,000 new jobs.
   
• In summer 2008 the Sunderland Software City Initiative was launched to create a vibrant software industry expected to attract millions of pounds of investment.
   
• In March 2007 Sunderland was chosen from a shortlist of 10 towns and cities to scoop the top prize in the Communities and Local Government's Digital Challenge competition, winning a £3m grant to improve the lives of vulnerable and excluded people through technology.
   
• Sunderland is one of the seven most IT intelligent communities in the world for embracing broadband, communications, IT and private investment to transform its economy.
   
• The North East Business and Innovation Centre is home to around 165 technology based enterprises, employing 1,100 people.
   
• Businesses locating in Sunderland enjoy excellent road, rail, air and sea links. The A1(M) and A19 provide road access to the rest of the UK. Sunderland now has a direct rail link to the nation's capital. The North East region has two international airports (Newcastle and Durham-Tees Valley), with regular flights to London and Europe. The region's ports provide access to Europe and the rest of the world. The Tyne & Wear Metro is the backbone of an integrated public transport network, with interchange facilities at Sunderland and other key locations.