stockton-on-Tees

Stockton is an Anglo-Saxon place name with the common ending ton, meaning farm, or homestead. Stock is possibly derived from the Anglo-Saxon Stocc, meaning log, tree trunk, or wooden post. Stockton could therefore mean a farm built of logs. This is disputed because when Stocc forms the first part of a place name, it usually indicates a derivation from the similar word Stoc, meaning cell, monastery, or place. Stoc in place name such as Stoke or Stow usually indicates farms which belonged to a manor or religious house. It is possible the name is an indication that Stockton was an outpost of Durham or Norton which were both important Anglo-Saxon centres.

Stockton is reportedly the home of the fossilised remains of the most northerly hippopotamus ever discovered. In 1958, an archeological dig {{convert | 4 | mi | 0 | spell = in}} north-west of the town uncovered a 125,000-year-old hippo's molar tooth. However, no one knows exactly where the tooth was discovered, who discovered it, or why the dig took place. The tooth was sent to the borough's librarian and curator, G. F. Leighton, who then sent it to the Natural History Museum in London. Since then, the tooth has been missing despite efforts to locate it.{{cite web|url=https://www.stockton.gov.uk/news/2018/may/the-stockton-hippo-5-questions-answered-by-university-professor/|title=The 'Stockton Hippo': 5 questions answered by university professor|publisher=Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council|date=14 May 2018|access-date=16 May 2018}}{{cite news|last=Brown|first=Mike|url=https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/mystery-missing-hippo-tooth-stockton-14581355|title=Stockton is believed to be the most northerly place on the planet where hippos lived – but crucial evidence to prove it has gone missing|newspaper=Teesside Gazette|date=29 April 2018|access-date=16 May 2018}}

Stockton began as an Anglo-Saxon settlement on high ground close to the northern bank of the River Tees.

Stockton was described as a manor by 1138, and was purchased by Bishop Pudsey of Durham in 1189. During the 13th century, the bishop changed the village of Stockton into a borough; the exact date the borough was founded is unknown, but it was being described as a borough by 1283.{{cite book |last1=Page |first1=William |title=A History of the County of Durham, Volume 3 |date=1928 |publisher=Victoria County History |location=London |pages=348–365 |url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/durham/vol3/pp348-365 |access-date=21 February 2024}} When the bishop freed Stockton's serfs, craftsmen moved to the new town. The bishop had a residence in Stockton Castle, which was a fortified manor house, the first recorded reference to which was in 1376.

Stockton's market traces its history to 1310,{{cite web |url=http://www.rediscoverstockton.co.uk/heritage/ |title=Heritage |publisher=Rediscover Stockton |date=17 December 2015 |access-date=14 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303214908/http://www.rediscoverstockton.co.uk/heritage/ |archive-date=3 March 2016 |url-status=dead}} when Bishop Bek of Durham granted a market charter to our town of Stockton a market upon every Wednesday for ever. The town grew into a small but busy port, exporting wool and importing wine, which was in demand by the upper class.{{cn|date=January 2025}} However, even by the standards of the time, medieval Stockton-on-Tees was a small town, with a population of only approximately 1,000; the town did not grow for centuries.

File:Supposed elevation of Stockton Castle (BM 1956,1018.74).jpg

Scotland captured Stockton Castle in 1644, and occupied it until 1646. The castle was destroyed at the order of Oliver Cromwell at the end of the Civil War. A shopping centre, the Castlegate Centre, now occupies the castle area, and this is scheduled for demolition in 2022.{{update inline|date=February 2024}} No known accurate depictions of the castle exist.{{cite web |url=http://www.stockton.gov.uk/citizenservices/leisureandents/artsculture/32179/local_history/castle/ |title=Stockton Castle |website=www.stockton.gov.uk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006112741/http://www.stockton.gov.uk/citizenservices/leisureandents/artsculture/32179/local_history/castle/ |archive-date=6 October 2008}}{{cite web|url=http://www.stocktonteesside.co.uk/stockton-castle.html |title=Stockton Castle – Discover Stockton on Tees | At The Heart of Teesside and the Tees Valley |website=Stocktonteesside.co.uk |date=27 July 2014 |access-date=14 January 2016}}

The Town House (now called the Town Hall) was built in 1735, and Stockton's first theatre opened in 1766. In 1771, a five-arch stone bridge was built, replacing the nearby Bishop's Ferry. Until the opening of the Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge in 1911, this was the Tees's most downstream bridging point. From the end of the 18th century, the Industrial Revolution transformed Stockton from a small and quiet market town into a flourishing centre of heavy industry.

In 1833, the then Bishop of Durham, William Van Mildert (1765–1836) gifted five acres and the land of an existing burial site called "The Monument" (originally a mass grave from a prior cholera outbreak) to the town of Stockton.{{cite web |title=Church of the Holy Trinity, Stockton-on-Tees {{!}} Co-Curate |url=https://co-curate.ncl.ac.uk/church-of-the-holy-trinity-stockton-on-tees/ |access-date=28 February 2023 |website=co-curate.ncl.ac.uk}}{{cite web |date=30 June 2022 |title=History of Stockton-on-Tees – England's North East |url=https://englandsnortheast.co.uk/stockton/|access-date=28 February 2023 }} Upon this land, the process of building of and designing the gothic style Holy Trinity Church began, using funds originally allocated for church building in the Church Building Act 1818.{{cite web |date=2023 |title=Holy Trinity Church {{!}} Stockton Heritage |url=https://heritage.stockton.gov.uk/articles/buildings/holy-trinity-church/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930055927/https://heritage.stockton.gov.uk/articles/buildings/holy-trinity-church/ |archive-date=30 September 2022 |access-date=28 February 2023 |website=heritage.stockton.gov.uk}} It was designed by John and Benjamin Green, and construction began in 1834.{{cite web |last=British Listed Buildings |title=Church of the Holy Trinity, Stockton Town Centre, Stockton-on-Tees |url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101329480-church-of-the-holy-trinity-stockton-town-centre-ward |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707155344/https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101329480-church-of-the-holy-trinity-stockton-town-centre-ward#.XwSakHbP1EY |archive-date=7 July 2020 |access-date=28 February 2023 |website=britishlistedbuildings.co.uk}}{{cite web |title=CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY, Non Civil Parish – 1329480 {{!}} Historic England |url=https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1329480 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228064904/https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1329480?section=official-list-entry |archive-date=28 February 2023 |access-date=28 February 2023 |website=historicengland.org.uk }} It was consecrated as an Anglican church on 22 December 1835.

Shipbuilding, which had started in the 15th century, prospered in the town through the 17th and 18th centuries, with small industries also developing. These included brick, sail, and rope making, the latter now reflected in road names such as Ropery Street in the town centre. Stockton became the major port for County Durham, the North Riding of Yorkshire, and Westmorland during this period, exporting mainly rope, agricultural produce and lead from the Yorkshire Dales.{{cite web|url=http://www.englandsnortheast.co.uk/Stockton.html |title=Stockton-on-Tees, Billingham and Norton |publisher=Englandsnortheast.co.uk |access-date=8 November 2011}} Iron making and engineering entered the local economy in the 18th century

The town grew rapidly as the Industrial Revolution started, with the population growing from 10,000, in 1851, to over 50,000, in 1901, as workers moved in. The discovery of iron ore in the Eston Hills resulted in blast furnaces lining the River Tees from Stockton to the river's mouth.{{Citation needed|date=March 2023}} In 1820, an Act set up the Commissioners, a body with responsibility for lighting and cleaning the streets, and from 1822, Stockton-on-Tees was lit by gas.{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jaZFAAAAcAAJ&q=1822+stockton+gas+lighting&pg=PA1028|title=The Statutes of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|first=Great|last=Britain|date=2 July 1822|via=Google Books}}

File:Locomotion (1925 cavalcade).jpg of the Stockton & Darlington Railway at the 1925 100th anniversary cavalcade.]]

In 1822, Stockton witnessed an event which changed the face of the world forever, and which heralded the dawn of a new era in trade, industry and travel. The first rail of George Stephenson's Stockton and Darlington Railway was laid near St. John's crossing on Bridge Road. Hauled by Locomotion No 1, Stephenson himself manned the engine on its first journey on 27 September 1825.{{cite web|url=https://heritage.stockton.gov.uk/stockton-darlington-railway/stockton-darlington-railway-195th-anniversary/|title=Stockton & Darlington Railway 195th Anniversary|website=heritage.stockton.gov.uk}} Fellow engineer and friend Timothy Hackworth acted as guard. This was the world's first passenger railway,{{cite book|last=Kirby|first=Maurice W.|title=The Origins of Railway Enterprise: The Stockton and Darlington Railway 1821–1863 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xVY1VL-rA1gC |date=4 July 2002|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-89280-3 |at=back page}} connecting Stockton with Darlington. The opening of the railway greatly boosted Stockton's economy, making it easier to bring coal to the factories.

Stockton witnessed another development in 1827. Local chemist, John Walker, invented the friction match, in his shop, at 59, High Street. The first sale of these matches was recorded in his sales-book on 7 April 1827, to a Mr. Hixon, a solicitor in the town. Since he did not obtain a patent, Walker received neither fame nor wealth for his invention, but he was able to retire some years before his death. He died in 1859 at the age of 78, and is buried in the parish churchyard in Norton village.

To cater to the increased population, a hospital opened in Stockton in 1862, and a public library opened in 1877.{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstockton.co.uk/history/stockton-history-timeline.asp|title=Stockton History Timeline}} Public transport also became important. Steam trams began running in the streets in 1881, and these were replaced by electric trams in 1897.

File:Spark's Daylight Bakery - geograph.org.uk - 493570.jpg style build from 1938.]]

Stockton was still dominated by the engineering industry in the 1930s, and there was also a chemicals industry in the town.

Buses replaced the trams in 1931. Public housing also became necessary, and in the 1930s, slums were cleared, and the first council houses were built.

On 10 September 1933, the Battle of Stockton took place, in which between 200 and 300 supporters of the British Union of Fascists were taken to Stockton to hold a rally, but they were driven out of town by up to 2,000 anti-fascist demonstrators.

In the late 20th century, manufacturing severely declined, and service industries became the town's primary employers.

The Ragworth district near the town centre was the scene of rioting, in July 1992, when local youths threw stones at buildings, set cars alight, and threw missiles at police and fire crews. The area later saw a £12 million regeneration which involved mass demolition and refurbishment of existing properties, and construction of new housing and community facilities.{{cite web|url=http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/local-news/were-talking-up-ragworth-3694015|title=We're talking up Ragworth|first=Teesside|last=Live|date=1 December 2010|website=gazettelive}}

File:Norton on Tees.jpg

Stockton lies on the north bank of the River Tees. The town's northern and western extremities are on slightly higher ground than the town centre, which is directly on the Tees. Stockton experiences occasional earth tremors. For example, it was the epicentre of a tremor measuring 2.8 on the Richter scale on 23 January 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-51218874|title=Stockton earthquake: Tremor shakes homes on Teesside|publisher=BBC|date=23 January 2020|access-date=23 January 2020}} The town has many areas outside of the town centre; Fairfield, Portrack, Hardwick, Hartburn, Elm Tree Farm, Norton, Roseworth, Newtown, Bishopsgarth and Oxbridge. Norton is the second largest centre in the town.

Stockton-on-Tees has an oceanic climate typical of the United Kingdom. Being sheltered by the Lake District and Pennines to the west, Stockton is relatively dry for the U.K., with on average 25 inches (643 mm) of rain a year. Its climate is more continental climate than other parts of the U.K., with above average summer temperatures, and below average winter temperatures. Summer highs typically reach approximately 20 °C (68 °F), while winter lows can fall to several degrees below 0 °C (32 °F). The Köppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is "Cfb" (Marine West Coast Climate).{{cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130713023504/http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=591283&cityname=Stockton-on-Tees%2C+England%2C+United+Kingdom&units=|url-status=dead|title=Travel Weather Averages (Weatherbase)|website=Weatherbase|access-date=12 July 2013|archive-date=13 July 2013}}

{{Weather box

| location = Stockton-on-Tees (1991–2020)

| metric first = Yes

| single line = Yes

| Jan high C = 7.0

| Feb high C = 7.9

| Mar high C = 10.0

| Apr high C = 12.8

| May high C = 15.5

| Jun high C = 18.2

| Jul high C = 20.6

| Aug high C = 20.4

| Sep high C = 17.7

| Oct high C = 13.9

| Nov high C = 9.9

| Dec high C = 7.3

| year high C = 13.5

| Jan mean C = 4.1

| Feb mean C = 4.6

| Mar mean C = 6.1

| Apr mean C = 8.4

| May mean C = 10.8

| Jun mean C = 13.6

| Jul mean C = 15.8

| Aug mean C = 15.7

| Sep mean C = 13.3

| Oct mean C = 10.2

| Nov mean C = 6.7

| Dec mean C = 4.2

| year mean C =

| Jan low C = 1.1

| Feb low C = 1.2

| Mar low C = 2.1

| Apr low C = 3.9

| May low C = 6.1

| Jun low C = 8.9

| Jul low C = 10.9

| Aug low C = 10.9

| Sep low C = 8.8

| Oct low C = 6.5

| Nov low C = 3.5

| Dec low C = 1.0

| year low C = 5.4

| precipitation colour = green

| Jan precipitation mm = 40.2

| Feb precipitation mm = 36.1

| Mar precipitation mm = 34.0

| Apr precipitation mm = 39.2

| May precipitation mm = 42.0

| Jun precipitation mm = 55.7

| Jul precipitation mm = 59.1

| Aug precipitation mm = 63.3

| Sep precipitation mm = 52.3

| Oct precipitation mm = 59.3

| Nov precipitation mm = 62.8

| Dec precipitation mm = 52.2

| year precipitation mm =

| Jan sun = 56.1

| Feb sun = 76.2

| Mar sun = 109.6

| Apr sun = 138.9

| May sun = 180.7

| Jun sun = 171.2

| Jul sun = 174.3

| Aug sun = 161.4

| Sep sun = 125.9

| Oct sun = 91.1

| Nov sun = 59.5

| Dec sun = 50.4

| year sun =

|source 1=UK Met Office{{cite web |title=Middlesbrough Climate Period: 1991–2010, Stockton-on-Tees Climate Station |url=https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/uk-climate-averages/gcxn3ykru |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524023405/https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/uk-climate-averages/gcxn3ykru |archive-date=24 May 2022 |access-date=11 January 2022 |publisher=Met Office}}

|date=January 2022

}}

File:Finkle Street, Stockton on Tees.jpg

Stockton town centre is the heart of the borough. The High Street—the widest in the UK{{cite web |url=http://www.stockton.gov.uk/citizenservices/leisureandents/shopsandmarkets/ |publisher=Stockton Borough Council |title=Stockton Town Centre |url-status=dead |access-date=28 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014051614/http://www.stockton.gov.uk/citizenservices/leisureandents/shopsandmarkets/ |archive-date=14 October 2012 }}—heads north through the town centre from the junction of Bridge Road and Yarm Lane, to Maxwell's Corner, where Norton Road and Bishopton Lane begin. Dovecot Street runs west from the High Street's midway point, and further north, Church Road extends east toward Northshore and the River Tees. At the centre of the High Street stands Stockton-on-Tees Town Hall, dating from 1735, and the Georgian-style Shambles Market Hall. Around the town hall, the largest outdoor market in North East England, which has been in existence since the 1300s, continues to be held every Wednesday and Saturday.{{cite web|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=42640 |title=Parishes – Stockton on Tees | British History Online |publisher=British-history.ac.uk |access-date=8 November 2011}}

Much of the town centre has a Georgian and late medieval influence, with a number of listed buildings and a variety of architectural types, which help to define the town's identity. The shops predominantly have narrow frontages stretching back to gain floorspace. This burgage plot style is particularly evident around the marketplace and on side streets such as Silver Street, Finkle Street and Ramsgate. There is also the surviving ruins of the gothic style church in Trinity Green, which dates back to 1834.

File:Castlegate Quay, Stockton on Tees.jpg and Teesside Princess at Castlegate Quay]]

Before 2022, the town centre retail was largely concentrated within two shopping centres, Castlegate and Wellington Square. Wellington Square has open shops on pedestrian-only paths whereas the Castlegate, opened in 1972 and currently undergoing demolition,{{cite news|url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/19502222.stockton-planning-go-ahead-town-centre-masterplan/|title=Stockton town centre masterplan approved with demolition set to begin next year|work=The Northern Echo|access-date=24 August 2021}} was a building which incorporated a multi-storey car park and an indoor market. Its façade was a dominant feature along the south east of the High Street, its site bounded by Finkle Street, Bridge Road and Tower Street. The Riverside dual carriageway and the River Tees run almost parallel to the rear of the centre. The Teesquay Millennium Footbridge links the Castlegate Quay on the north side of the river to Teesdale Business Park and Durham University's Queen's Campus on the south side in the ceremonial county of the North Riding of Yorkshire. Situated at the north west end of the town centre is Wellington Square shopping centre, built on the old Wellington Street. Opened in 2001 at a cost of £43 million, it houses 46 shop units.

File:Green Dragon Yard, Stockton on Tees.jpg

The town centre has retained a number of original yards such as Wasp Nest Yard, Hambletonian Yard, and Ship Inn Yard. Most notable is Green Dragon Yard, a courtyard of restored historic warehouses within a series of alleyways. Considered the cultural quarter of the town, this houses the Green Dragon public house, the Green Dragon Studios (recording studios) and Britain's oldest surviving Georgian Theatre.

Alongside retail outlets, Stockton town centre also has a variety of services including national banks and building societies, travel agents, a post office, hairdressers, beauticians, cafés, and restaurants. The refurbishment of some period buildings has provided space for small firms including solicitors, recruitment agencies, and accountants.

In 2019, with the council trying to tackle the centre's empty shops, the council bought both Wellington Square and Castlegate Centre, with Castlegate Centre to be demolished along with the Stockton Swallow Hotel in order to create a new urban park on the old site of the two demolished buildings.

The new urban park proposed called "Waterfront" is to be an urban park with open, flexible spaces for community, and large scale events.{{cite web |title=Stockton Waterfront |url=https://www.stockton.gov.uk/article/6256/Stockton-Waterfront |access-date=21 February 2025 |website=Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council }} The development will also include the narrowing and tunnelling of Riverside Road allowing people to walk straight from the High Street to the River Tees. To be built alongside the Waterfront is a new NHS health hub offering rapid scans, tests and checks, creating 130 roles for the area.{{cite web |title=New community facilities |url=https://www.stockton.gov.uk/new-community-facilities |access-date=21 February 2025 |website=Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council }} This new development will concentrate Stockton's retail area to be within Wellington Square.

The Waterfront started development with the demolition of Castlegate Centre and the Swallow Hotel in September 2022, with all demolition work completed by the end of 2023. Since then the NHS health hub's exterior has been built and can be seen from the Town centre with the rest of the development undergoing construction.

{{multiple images

|perrow=1

|header=Bridges of Stockton

|image1=Infinity Footbridge - geograph.org.uk - 1493237.jpg

|alt1=The Infinity Bridge

|image2=Teesquay Millennium Footbridge, Stockton on Tees.jpg

|alt2=Teesquay Millennium Bridge

|image3=Victoria Bridge - lvm15.jpg

|alt3=Victoria Bridge

|footer=From top: Infinity Bridge (opened in 2009); Teesquay Millennium Footbridge; Victoria Bridge

}}

Since the construction of the Tees Barrage in 1995, the level of the River Tees through the town has permanently been held at high tide, creating a backdrop for riverside events and facilitating watersports activities such as rowing, canoeing, jet skiing, and dragon boat racing. Stockton town centre is elevated above the river, and is separated from the riverside by the A1305 Riverside Road, a dual carriageway which runs parallel to the river from Northshore to Chandlers Wharf.

From the town centre, Bishop Street, Silver Street, Calvert's Lane, and Thistle Green offer views of the river where it meanders around Teesdale Business Park. Durham University Queen's Campus can be seen on the opposite side, alongside the skyline of Middlesbrough in the middle distance and Roseberry Topping in the Cleveland Hills, approximately {{convert | 15 | mi | 0 | spell = in}} south east.

file:Chandlers Wharf - Stockton on Tees.jpg

Chandlers Wharf is situated on the north side of the river where Bridge Road approaches Victoria Bridge. The area is characterised by a mixture of office and residential accommodation, including the colourful twelve-storey Mezzino student apartments at Rialto Court, a Mecca Bingo hall, Burger King and the two-storey Grosvenor Casino, which opened in September 2011. Adjacent to the wharf is Castlegate Quay, which was once the town's main dock. The quayside is still occupied by Georgian warehouses which have been converted into a number of business units, restaurants, and a gym. A full-size replica of Captain James Cook's ship HM Bark Endeavour was once moored at the quayside, but was sold and moved after refurbishment to a mooring in Whitby. The Teesside Princess, a two-deck river boat, is docked alongside, and offers river cruises all year to Yarm via Preston Park.

Both the north and south banks of the Tees are retained by steel sheet pile walls, and have footpaths along the river edge. The Tees Walkway on the north bank of the river can be accessed from the town centre by the Teesquay Millennium Footbridge or the Riverside Footbridge, and incorporates a cycle path which forms part of the National Cycle Network.

File:Riverside, Stockton-on-Tees.jpg

The 11-metre Aeolian Motion wind sculpture stands on a grassy slope overlooking the riverside, which becomes an amphitheatre during large events. From Castlegate Quay, the tree-lined path along the waterfront toward the Princess of Wales Bridge opens into green space and a car park for events. Beyond the Princess of Wales Bridge, the slipway at the River Tees Watersports Centre is situated at the western area of Northshore, which is currently under development, and which leads to the Tees Barrage.

The town is served by two main arterial roads: the transpennine A66 (east/west) and the A19 (north/south). The A19 connects Stockton with York in the south, and extends to Peterlee and Sunderland, to the north. East of the town centre is the A1046, a mostly dual carriageway which runs through Portrack, as Portrack Lane, a retail zone, particularly for home furnishings and DIY. From Portrack, the A1046 continues to its northern terminus at Port Clarence. The A139 connects the town centre with the northern suburb of Norton. This was the original route for the A19 before a bypass was built to the east of the town.

The A177 runs from Stockton town centre to Durham. Known as Durham Road, it passes Sedgefield en route, and is a major route in to and out of Stockton.

The A66 connects Stockton directly to Middlesbrough ({{convert | 8 | mi | 0}} to the east) and Darlington ({{convert | 10 | mi | 0}} to the west). Beyond Darlington lies the A1(M). The A66 is connected to Stockton centre by the A135. The old A135 was renumbered A1027, and this continues through the town to Billingham. The A135 is named '1825 Way' to commemorate the former Stockton and Darlington Railway's opening; the 1825 Way's northern end is St John's Crossing, adjacent to the old Stockton Railway Station buildings.

File:Stockton-on-Tees map.svg

{{rws|Stockton|County Durham}} station, located above the High Street, serves the town; however, more regular and long-distance trains run from nearby {{rws|Thornaby}}.

Northern routinely serves both stations with local and regional services, whereas at Thornaby TransPennine Express runs an hourly service between Saltburn-by-the-Sea and Manchester Airport via York and LNER stops once both ways every weekday between Middlesbrough and London King's Cross.

The nearest airport is Teesside International Airport several miles west of the town. The airport offers domestic and international flights.

{{see also|List of schools in Stockton-on-Tees}}

Stockton is famous as the home of the friction match and the Stockton and Darlington Railway, which operated the world's first steam-hauled passenger train in 1825. The town also has the world's oldest passenger railway station building. Industry and engineering remained central to Stockton's economy over many years, and major industries have included shipbuilding and repair, heavy engineering, steel, and chemicals manufacturing. However, during the twentieth century, Teesside's heavy industry declined dramatically.

Since the 1980s, Stockton has seen an increase in service industries. The development of Teesdale Business Park on the south bank of the River Tees has created commercial space with many large service providers opening call centres and offices in the area. Durham University's Queen's Campus is also situated within the Teesdale development, which is linked to the town centre by the Teesquay Millennium Footbridge, Princess of Wales Bridge, and Infinity Bridge.

In 1995, after four years' construction, the Tees Barrage was commissioned, permanently holding the upstream river waters at the level of an average high tide.

In 2007, funding from the European Regional Development Fund and English Heritage secured the ruins of the Holy Trinity Church, and renovated the site into Trinity Green, removing the site from Historic England's 'Heritage At Risk register'.{{cite web |title=£250,000 to be spent on Stockton landmark |url=https://www.darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk/news/1105799.250000-to-be-spent-on-stockton-landmark/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228073850/https://www.darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk/news/1105799.250000-to-be-spent-on-stockton-landmark/ |archive-date=28 February 2023 |access-date=28 February 2023 |website=Darlington and Stockton Times |date=5 January 2007 }}{{cite web |last=Blackburn |first=Mike |date=28 February 2009 |title=Holy Trinity Church expects to be removed from Heritage At Risk register |url=http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/local-news/holy-trinity-church-expects-removed-3723023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808040521/https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/local-news/holy-trinity-church-expects-removed-3723023 |archive-date=8 August 2020 |access-date=28 February 2023 |website=TeessideLive}}

{{update|section|date=October 2018}}

Work is under way to develop the north bank of the River Tees in Stockton with the £300 million Northshore scheme, which will include new offices, leisure facilities, housing, a 150-bedroom hotel, and a new campus for Durham University.{{cite web|url=http://www.stockton.gov.uk/regenerationandtransport/regenerationschemes/northshore/ |title=Northshore – Stockton Council |publisher=Stockton.gov.uk |access-date=13 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140913195742/http://www.stockton.gov.uk/regenerationandtransport/regenerationschemes/northshore/ |archive-date=13 September 2014 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.northshorestocktonontees.com|title=NORTHSHORE |publisher=Northshore Stockton |access-date=13 September 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.musedevelopments.com/projects/our-projects/northshore-stockton-on-tees.html |title=Northshore, Stockton-on-Tees Muse Developments |publisher=Musedevelopments.com |access-date=8 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009042026/http://www.musedevelopments.com/projects/our-projects/northshore-stockton-on-tees.html |archive-date=9 October 2011 }}

In 2012, a long-term scheme aimed at transforming the town centre area was announced, with investment of approximately £38 million, just over £20 million being contributed by Stockton Borough Council, and the remainder coming from the private sector and grants. The investment programme aimed to attract more retailers, businesses, and shoppers to the town by opening up new spaces and links to the River Tees, providing easier access and parking, and capitalising on the town's heritage and cultural assets.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}

Plans include the introduction of an expansive plaza area 'Infinity View' that will open up the pedestrian area to dramatic views of the award-winning Infinity Bridge. Under the scheme, the banks of the River Tees will be transformed with a series of impressive light installations which will stretch along the waterfront, from the Princess of Wales Bridge to the Millennium Bridge. This permanent colourful illumination is intended to add value to the riverside businesses and restaurants and play an important part in the council's events programme throughout the year.{{cite web|title=Our plans for Stockton Town Centre|url=http://www.stockton.gov.uk/citizenservices/regeneration/regenerationschemes/stocktonregeneration/stocktontcregeneration/stocktontellus/|publisher=Stockton Borough Council|date=May 2012}}{{update inline|date=September 2021}}

Stockton is one of 12 towns in England to share in £1.2 million of funding, support from retail guru Mary Portas and her own team, as part of the Portas Pilot scheme. Selected from over 370 applications, Stockton's Town Team Consortium, comprising Stockton Council, Tees Music Alliance, Durham University Queen's Campus, town centre retailers, A Way Out and Stockton Heritage in Partnership, will have the opportunity to share in expert advice and guidance from a range of retail experts.{{cite news|title=High Streets to share £1.2m funding|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18212669|newspaper=BBC|date=26 May 2012}}{{cite web|title=Portas pilot – Stockton-on-Tees

| url=http://www.stockton.gov.uk/citizenservices/regeneration/regenerationschemes/stocktonregeneration/stocktontcregeneration/portaspilot/|publisher=Stockton Borough Council|date=May 2012}}

File:Stockton_on_Tees_2018.jpg

The Stockton-Middlesbrough Initiative is a 20-year vision for regenerating the urban core of the Tees Valley, the main focus being the {{cvt|30|sqkm}} area along the banks of the River Tees between the two centres of Stockton and Middlesbrough. The master plan has been drawn up by environmental design specialists Gillespies, the eventual aim being to bring distinctive high-quality city-scale assets to the centre of the Tees Valley, including the town centres of Stockton and Middlesbrough. The project will include the existing developments at North Shore, Stockton and Middlesbrough, with many others over a 15- to 20-year period.{{cite web|url=http://www.gillespies.co.uk/ |title=Gillespies website |publisher=Gillespies.co.uk |access-date=8 November 2011}}
{{cite web|url=http://www.smi-teesvalley.co.uk/ |title=Stockton-Middlesbrough Initiative website |publisher=Smi-teesvalley.co.uk |date=26 March 2010 |access-date=8 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004104603/http://www.smi-teesvalley.co.uk/ |archive-date=4 October 2011 }}
{{cite web |url=http://www.teesvalleyregeneration.co.uk/pages/project/project=northbank |title=North Shore website |publisher=Teesvalleyregeneration.co.uk |access-date=8 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070702120128/http://www.teesvalleyregeneration.co.uk/pages/project/project%3Dnorthbank |archive-date=2 July 2007 }}
{{cite web |url=https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/local-news/latest-plans-unveiled-tees-heartland-3737090|title=Latest plans unveiled for Tees heartland regeneration|date=4 December 2007|access-date=15 June 2021}}

In February 2020 it was announced that the Castlegate Shopping Centre is set to be demolished in 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/its-official-stocktons-castlegate-demolished-17794195|title=It's official – Stockton's Castlegate will be demolished in 2022|last=Metcalfe|first=Alex|date=21 February 2020|website=gazettelive|access-date=22 February 2020}}

The mean weekly income for Stockton residents was £522.70 in 2017. This is below the U.K. mean of £538.70. In some parts of Stockton, most households' income is below the poverty threshold.{{clarify|date=September 2021}} The mean privately rented house in Stockton cost £525 per month in 2017, compared with a mean of £480 across North East England.{{cite web |url=https://www.stockton.gov.uk/media/1958630/lea-2017-people.pdf|publisher=Stockton Borough Council|title=Local Economic Assessment|date=2017|access-date=11 July 2021}}{{update inline|date=September 2021}}

The town recorded 125 crimes for every 1,000 people in 2020, higher than similarly sized Darlington and Hartlepool and 29% higher than ceremonial County Durham's 89 out of 1,000 average. The most common crimes in 2020 were "violence and sexual offences"; 4,445 of this type were recorded in 2020. Eight out of 14 crime trends improved compared to 2019. The Eastbourne and Newham Grange Ward recorded the worst crime statistics in the town.{{cite web|url=https://crimerate.co.uk/durham/stockton-on-tees|title=Crime and Safety in Stockton-on-Tees|date=7 May 2021|website=CrimeRate|access-date=11 July 2021}} The borough came out lower than the four other Tees Valley boroughs in 2017.{{cite web|url=https://www.communityfoundation.org.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Vital-Issues-Vital-Issues-Tees-Valley-2017-Safety.pdf|title=Tees Valley's Vital Issues|date=2017|website=Community Foundation|access-date=11 July 2021}}

Stockton comes under Cleveland Police's jurisdiction. There are two police stations in town, town centre main and Newton neighbourhood. Teesside combined courts are located in Middlesbrough.

HMP Holme House, in Portrack, is a 1211-capacity Category B prison for male adult prisoners who are either remanded in custody, or convicted. It also accommodates a small number of young offenders, aged 18–21 years. The prison opened in May 1992{{cite web|url=https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprisons/media/press-releases/2017/12/hmp-holme-house-an-ambitious-prison-dealing-with-organisational-changes-and-very-serious-drugs-problems/|title=HMP Holme House – an 'ambitious' prison dealing with organisational changes and very serious drugs problems|website=www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk}} and mainly serves south of county Durham as well as north of North Yorkshire.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}

{{Main|Demographics of Tees Valley}}

In the 2021 census, the borough was recorded as having a population of 196,595 with 50.9% being female.

For religion, 51.1% identified themselves as Christian, 39.1% having no religion, 3.4% Muslim, 0.4% Hindu, 0.4% Sikh, 0.3% Buddhist, and 0.3% answering 'Other' as well as 5% not answering.{{cite web |date=2021 |title=Stockton-on-Tees Local Authority – 2021 Census Area Profile |url=https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/sources/census_2021/report?compare=E06000004 |access-date=31 January 2023 |website=NOMIS – official census and labour market statistics – National Statistics}}

For ethnicity, those who identified as White were 92.0%, Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh were 4.6%, Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African were 1.1%, Mixed or 'Multiple ethnic groups' were 1.4%, and the 'Other' ethnic group category recorded 0.8%.

For sexuality, those who identified as Straight or Heterosexual were 91.6%, Gay or Lesbian were 1.4%, Bisexual was 0.9%, Pansexual was 0.2%, Asexual was 0.0%, Queer was 0.0%, 'All other sexual orientations' were 0.0% and those who did not answer were 5.9%.

[Note, for percentages with 0.0%, this may due to a number too low to represent using the number of digits supplied rather than a lack of those who identified as that specific idea.]

Stockton Calling is an Easter Sunday music festival which has taken place across several of Stockton's music venues annually since 2010.{{cite web|url=https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/stockton-calling-set-another-sell-17584523|title=Stockton Calling set for another big year as headline acts announced|last=Brown|first=Mike|date=17 January 2020|website=gazettelive|access-date=31 January 2020}} In 2019, it celebrated its 11th year, and was headlined by Sophie and the Giants.

The Stockton International Riverside Festival (SIRF), one of Europe's largest open air festivals, has taken over the town once a year since 1988.{{cite web|url=https://events.stockton.gov.uk/stockton-international-riverside-festival/|title=Stockton International Riverside Festival {{!}} Stockton events|website=events.stockton.gov.uk|access-date=31 January 2020}} Spread over a long weekend, for either four or five days, it attracts over 250,000 visitors, and features a variety of acts such as circus, comedy, music, dance and street theatre.{{cite web|url=https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/stockton-international-riverside-festival-what-16663045|title=Stockton International Riverside Festival: All you need to know|last=Welford|first=Joanne|date=29 July 2019|website=gazettelive|access-date=31 January 2020}}

The annual riverside firework display happens on the first Sunday closest to 5 November, and is typically attended by up to 100,000 spectators from the wider region. The year's events always conclude with the Stockton Sparkles Christmas festival and associated markets.{{cite web|url=http://www.sirf.co.uk/fringe.php|title=SIRF Fringe Festival|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080731211139/http://www.sirf.co.uk/fringe.php|archive-date=31 July 2008|access-date=2 August 2008}}{{cite web|url=https://events.stockton.gov.uk/stockton-sparkles/|title=Stockton Sparkles {{!}} Stockton events|website=events.stockton.gov.uk|access-date=31 January 2020}}

File:ARC Theatre & Arts Centre, Stockton on Tees.jpg

The ARC Theatre & Arts Centre on Dovecot Street was built in 1999, and comprises a multi-purpose arts centre for cinema, theatre, dance, and music. It has three floors including four venues: a 260-seat theatre, a 100-seat studio theatre, a point/music area accommodating 550 standing, and a 130-seat cinema. It also has exhibition spaces, meeting rooms, a café, and two bars.

The Georgian Theatre at Green Dragon Yard is Grade II listed, and is the oldest Georgian theatre in the country. Originally opened in 1766,{{cite web|url=https://heritage.stockton.gov.uk/resources/theatres/|title=Theatres | Stockton Heritage|website=heritage.stockton.gov.uk}} it fell into disrepair during the 19th century, but later functioned as a sweet factory and then a community building. Between 2007 and 2008, the building was given a full makeover along with the neighbouring Green Dragon Studios, and now serves as an intimate venue for live entertainment with a capacity of 200.

The Grade-II listed Globe Theatre built in 1936 is at the north western end of the High Street, the theatre reopened in 2021 following extensive restoration. It was built on the same site as two previous theatres, and has hosted many famous acts such as Buddy Holly, the Platters, Guy Mitchell, the Rolling Stones, the Animals, Cilla Black, Carl Perkins, Cliff Richard, the Shadows and Chuck Berry. The Beatles famously played the Globe on Friday 22 November 1963, the day U.S. President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.

On 12 June 2016, Stockton Council launched The Stockton Flyer, a stylised model of a flying steam locomotive in a plinth on Stockton High Street. The Flyer was unveiled to mark Queen Elizabeth II's official 90th birthday on 12 June 2016. The Stockton Flyer appears from the plinth every day at 1 p.m.,{{cite web|url=https://www.stockton.gov.uk/news/2016/may/stockton-flyer-prepares-for-launch/|title=Stockton Flyer prepares for launch|website=www.stockton.gov.uk}}{{cite web|url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/14501573.stockton-flyer-mechanical-train-structure-to-be-unveiled-on-day-of-queens-birthday-celebrations-in-stockton/|title=Stockton Flyer mechanical train structure to be unveiled on day of Queen's Birthday celebrations in Stockton|website=www.thenorthernecho.co.uk|date=18 May 2016 }} and often draws a crowd of people watching the rising and lowering of the structure.

Designed by Phil Johnson of Ratho Forge, the wind sculpture Aeolian Motion was constructed at the end of Silver Street in March and April 2001. The design is said to impart a unique identity to the seating area, reflecting the character of Stockton, and creating a sense of place.{{cite web|author=|date=3 March 2003|title=Wind Sculpture, Silver Street, 2004|url=https://picturestocktonarchive.com/2003/03/03/wind-sculpture-silver-street-2004/|access-date=24 June 2021|website=Picture Stockton Archive}}

Local news and television programmes are provided by BBC North East and Cumbria and ITV Tyne Tees. The community television station TalkTeesside also broadcasts to the town. Television signals are received from the Bilsdale TV transmitter.{{cite web|url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Bilsdale|title=Bilsdale (North Yorkshire, England) Full Freeview transmitter|date=1 May 2004|website=UK Free TV|accessdate=20 August 2024}} Local radio stations are BBC Radio Tees, Heart North East, Hits Radio Teesside, Capital North East, Smooth North East, Greatest Hits Radio Teesside and CVFM Radio, a community based station that broadcast from nearby Middlesbrough.{{cite web |url=https://www.cvfm.org.uk/|title=CVFM Radio|accessdate=20 August 2024}} The town is served by the local newspaper, Evening Gazette.

Public services provided in Stockton include a general hospital, health advice centres, dental and medical surgeries, a library, churches, employment advice centres, youth projects, energy advice centres and an international family centre. A cluster of municipal buildings is concentrated primarily along Church Road. The police headquarters is the only emergency service station located within the centre, next to Stockton Central Library.

Stockton's University Hospital of North Tees serves south east County Durham. It is part of the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust.

File:South Lodge, Ropner Park, Stockton on Tees.jpg

Stockton has a number of public parks and nature reserves. Most notable is Ropner Park, a Victorian park on the outskirts of the town, near Hartburn village. Opened in 1893 and renovated in 2007, the park has tree-lined avenues approaching an ornate water fountain, surrounded by rockeries and floral displays. Overlooking a lake, a bandstand features live band music on Sunday afternoons in the summer. Seasonal fairs and occasional organised events are staged at the park throughout the year. Close by, there is also the smaller park housing the ruins of the Holy Trinity Church, now called Trinity Green.

Further upstream is Preston Park, a {{convert|100|acre|ha}} public park by the River Tees. The park hosts many events each year that attract people from across Teesside and further afield. Preston Hall, once the home of Sir Robert Ropner, is situated within the grounds, and is now a museum. The park also houses 'Butterfly World', an artificial tropical environment housing various species of exotic butterflies and reptiles.

Downstream is Portrack Marsh Nature Reserve, a {{convert|50|acre|ha}}{{cite web|url=http://www.teesmouthbc.com/tbcweb/articles/Birds%20of%20Portrack.pdf|title=Birds of Portrack Marsh and Tees Barrage|last=Sharples|first=Garry|work=Teesmouth Bird Club|access-date=30 June 2009}}{{cite web|url=http://www.teesmouthbc.com/Newsletters/tbcn034.pdf|title=Teesmouth Bird Club Newsletter, Issue 34|last=Sharp|first=Chris|year=2006|work=Teesmouth Bird Club|access-date=1 August 2010}} nature reserve by the northern bank of the river between the Tees Barrage and the Tees Viaduct near Portrack housing estate. It is the last remaining wetland on the lower Tees.{{cite web|url=http://grouptravelorganiser.com/assets/3/31/BIAZA_2008.pdf|title=A Guide to Zoos and Aquariums 2008|year=2008|work=Group Travel Organiser|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081203225500/http://www.grouptravelorganiser.com/assets/3/31/BIAZA_2008.pdf|archive-date=3 December 2008|access-date=1 August 2010}} Ownership of the reserve is divided between the Tees Valley Wildlife Trust and Northumbrian Water, but the reserve is managed by the Tees Valley Wildlife Trust. The western and northern parts of the reserve are mature marsh, while there are a series of man–made ponds in the south east.

File:Splash Leisure Centre, Stockton on Tees.jpg

The town's main leisure facility is 'Splash', a large wet and dry facility, on Church Road. It has a 25m pool with a wave machine and flumes, a learner pool, a spa pool, as well as fitness and dance facilities. The Castlegate Quay Watersports Centre also offers opportunities for sailing and paddling on the River Tees.{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstockton.co.uk/attractions/castlegate-quay-watersports-centre.asp|title=Castlegate Quay Watersports Centre|website=This is Stockton on Tees|access-date=28 February 2020}}

File:Central Library at Stockton on Tees.jpg

Stockton Central Library on Church Road is the largest public library serving the borough of Stockton-on-Tees.{{cite web|url=https://www.stockton.gov.uk/arts-culture-and-leisure/libraries/find-your-local-library/stockton-central-library-and-customer-service-centre|title=Stockton Central Library and Customer Service Centre – Stockton Council|access-date=19 July 2016}} Built in 1967, it was fully refurbished in 2011 at a cost of £1.9m. It occupies two floors: the ground floor incorporates Stockton Borough Council's Customer Services Centre, an adult lending library, and a children's library, while the first floor houses the reference library (the central reference department for the borough), a family history suite, a computer suite with free internet access, and the 'Starbooks' café. The library also has conference facilities and an exhibition area.

{{multiple images|

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|image4= Stockton Baptist Tabernacle - geograph.org.uk - 487485.jpg

|caption4= Stockton Baptist Tabernacle

|image3= Stockton Church of Holy Trinity from West.jpg

|caption3= Holy Trinity Church

|image2= St Thomas' Church and War Memorial (geograph 7146734).jpg

|caption2=Stockton Parish Church

|image1= Church of St Mary (geograph 7146745).jpg

|caption1= St Mary's RC Church}}

Stockton is a Church of England deanery of the Archdeaconry of Auckland, in the Diocese of Durham. The churches of St Peter, Stockton Parish Church (St Thomas'),{{English Heritage List entry |num= 1139977 |desc=Stockton Parish Church |grade=I |access-date=16 January 2023}} and St Paul are in the town. Holy Trinity Church was built as an Anglican church, but later became Greek Orthodox. It was destroyed by fire in 1991. The ruins remain on site.{{cite web|url=https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/nostalgia-a-stockton-church-that-was-ruined-by-flames-and-financial-woes/|title=Nostalgia: A Stockton church that was ruined by flames and financial woes|date=12 June 2021|website=InYourArea.co.uk}}

Stockton is in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle, and is home to the parishes of St Bede, St Cuthbert, English Martyrs and SS Peter and Paul, St Joseph, St Mary, and St Patrick.{{cite web|url=http://www.rcdhn.org.uk/churches07/churchtowns.php|title=RCDHN: Church Directory|publisher=Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle}}

Stockton also has a Muslim community (6,675), with mosques such as Farooq E Azam Mosque and Islamic Centre serving this community. The Farooq E Azam mosque is especially of note, due to the recent council decision to allow the call to prayer, or Adhan, to be played once at week at an agreed volume, the first mosque in the north-east of England to do so.{{cite news |date=26 November 2022 |title=Stockton mosque allowed to broadcast call to prayer weekly |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-63747619?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA |access-date=31 January 2023 |archive-url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-tees-63747619?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA |archive-date=31 January 2023}}{{cite web |last=Ferguson |first=Anna |date=7 January 2023 |title=Stockton mosque's first weekly outdoor call to prayer heard |url=https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/stockton-mosque-members-thank-people-25915858 |access-date=31 January 2023 |website=TeessideLive }}{{cite web |last=International Quran News Agency |date=7 January 2023 |title=Mosque in UK's Stockton Holds First Outdoor Adhan |url=https://iqna.ir/en/news/3481983/mosque-in-uk%E2%80%99s-stockton-holds-first-outdoor-adhan |access-date=2 February 2023 |website=iqna.ir}}{{cite news |last=The Times |date=29 November 2022 |title=UK: Mosque's weekly call to prayer broadcast approved, objections dismissed as 'racist' |work=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com.ng/2022/11/uk-mosques-weekly-call-to-prayer-broadcast-approved-objections-dismissed-as-racist/ |access-date=28 February 2023}}

File:Stockton cricket ground - geograph.org.uk - 925083.jpg]]

Stockton Cricket Club was established in 1816, and has been located at the Grangefield Cricket Ground since 1891. The club currently fields three senior teams at weekends in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Divisions of the Dukes North East Premier League.

Stockton Football Club existed from 1882 until it folded in 1975. They played at the Victoria Ground which also held greyhound racing (one of two venues in the town to do so along with Belle Vue Park).{{cite web|url=https://www.old-maps.co.uk/#/Map/443516/518954/12/101200|title=OS Plan Partial 1960–1970|publisher=old-maps.co.uk}}{{cite web|url=https://britainfromabove.org.uk/cy/groups/football-grounds|title=The Millfield Scrap Metal Works, Stockton-on-Tees, 1950|publisher=Britain from Above}}{{cite web|url=https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/sports-grounds-weve-loved-lost-12388413|title=Victoria Ground, Stockton|date=January 2017|publisher=Teesside Live}}{{cite book|last=Barnes|first=Julia|title=Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File|publisher=Ringpress Books|year=1988|isbn=0-948955-15-5}} The club's assets were transferred to Norton Cricket Club, who subsequently founded the Norton & Stockton Ancients Football Club. There are two other football clubs in the town. Stockton Town F.C. play in the Northern Premier League Premier Division. After consecutive promotions winning the Wearside League in 2016 and Northern League Division 2 in 2017, then gaining promotion to Step 4 of the pyramid system as a result of 2 curtailed seasons due to Covid. In May 2024 gained promotion to Step 3 via a Play Off victory over Dunston UTS. Meanwhile, Stockton West End currently play in the North Riding Football League Premier Division.

Stockton Rugby Club, established in 1873, is the local Rugby Union team. Home games are now played at the Grangefield Ground following a community partnership agreement with Stockton Cricket club and Grangefield Academy in 2015.

{{More citations needed section|date=May 2019}}

People born in Stockton include:

• Francis Arthur Bainbridge, physiologist{{cite web|url=https://history.rcplondon.ac.uk/inspiring-physicians/francis-arthur-bainbridge |title=Francis Arthur Bainbridge – RCP Museum |website=Royal College of Physicians of London |access-date=7 April 2023}}
• Matthew Bates, footballer{{cite web|url=https://www.11v11.com/players/matthew-bates-21539/ |title=Matthew Bates Football Player Statistics |publisher=11v11 |access-date=26 May 2023}}
• Jamie Bell, actor
• Neal Bishop, footballer{{cite web|url=https://www.eurosport.com/football/neil-bishop_prs188006/person.shtml |title=Neal Bishop – Player Profile |website=Eurosport |access-date=7 April 2023}}
• C. J. Bolland, electronic music producer in Belgium
• Daniel Casey, actor{{cite web|url=http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/local-news/daniel-has-nerves-of-steel-3824338|title=Daniel has nerves of steel|first=Teesside|last=Live|date=29 August 2004|website=TeessideLive}}
• Lee Cattermole, footballer{{cite web|url=https://www.11v11.com/players/lee-cattermole-49650/ |title=Lee Cattermole Football Player Statistics |publisher=11v11 |access-date=26 May 2023}}
• Ivy Close, actress{{cite web|url=http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/stockton-born-silent-movie-star-ivy-8978349|title=Stockton-born silent movie star Ivy Close will keep her plaque when Swallow Hotel is redeveloped|first=Mike|last=Blackburn|date=5 April 2015|website=TeessideLive}}
• Edward Cooper, soldier, recipient of the Victoria Cross.{{cite web|url=http://www.krrcassociation.com/vc/cooper.htm |title=Sergeant Edward Cooper|website=Krrcassociation.com|publisher=King's Royal Rifle Corps Association|access-date=8 June 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223000311/http://www.krrcassociation.com/vc/cooper.htm|archive-date=23 February 2014 }}
• Brass Crosby, Lord Mayor of London{{cite web|url=https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG135232|title=Collections Online |publisher= British Museum|website=www.britishmuseum.org|access-date=15 August 2021}}
• Freddie Dixon, motorcycle and car racing driver{{cite web|title=Local History of Stockton Borough|url=http://www.stockton.gov.uk/citizenservices/leisureandents/artsculture/localhistorystockton/|publisher=Stockton Council|access-date=21 December 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120427014053/http://www.stockton.gov.uk/citizenservices/leisureandents/artsculture/localhistorystockton/|archive-date=27 April 2012}}
• Lesley Duncan, pop singer-songwriter{{cite news|url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/mar/23/lesley-duncan-obituary|title=Lesley Duncan obituary|date=23 March 2010|work=The Guardian|access-date=16 August 2021}}
• Maurice Elvey, film director{{cite web|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/449112/index.html|title=Elvey, Maurice (1887–1967) Biography|work=BFI Screenonline|access-date=17 August 2021}}
• Charles Foulkes, Canadian Army officer who served in the Second World War and became a four-star general{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/charles-foulkes-general-canada-netherlands-beechwood-plaque-1.6448978 |title=Canadian general who accepted Nazi surrender in Netherlands to receive royal tribute |author=Alistair Steele |publisher=CBC |date=13 May 2022 |access-date=7 April 2023}}
• Jonathan Franks, footballer{{cite web|url=https://www.11v11.com/players/jonathan-franks-229194/ |title=Jonathan Franks Football Player Statistics |publisher=11v11 |access-date=26 May 2023}}
• James Gaddas, actor{{cite news|url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/6982593.prison-parliament/|title=From prison to Parliament?|work=The Northern Echo|access-date=22 August 2021}}
• Martin Gray, footballer{{cite book |editor-first=Barry J. |editor-last=Hugman |title=The 2001–2002 Official PFA Footballers Factfile |year=2001 |publisher=AFS |location=London |isbn=978-0-946531-34-9 |page=122}}
• Will Hay, comic actor{{cite web|url=http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/local-news/poster-stockton-film-star-hay-3712778|title=Poster of Stockton film star Will Hay set to star at auction|first=Dave|last=Robson|date=19 November 2009|website=TeessideLive}}
• Frank Hawley, Japanologist (1906–1961).R. H. van Gulik [https://www.jstor.org/stable/2383209 'In Memoriam. Frank Hawley (1906–1961),'], Monumenta Nipponica Vol. 16, No. 3/4 (October 1960 – January 1961), pp. 434–447.
• Richard Anthony Hewson, jazz-funk music producer{{cite web|url=https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/brexit-news-city-in-music-stockton-on-tees-62458/ |title=The Teesside town holding its own among musical rivals |author=Sophia Deboick |publisher=The New European |date=25 November 2019 |access-date=8 April 2023}}
• Thomas Hornby, cricketer{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/thomas-hornby-14950 |title=Thomas Hornby Profile |website=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=7 April 2023}}
• Peter Howells, cricketer{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/63/63751/First-Class_Matches.html|title=First-Class Matches played by Peter Howells|publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=21 August 2011}}
• Robert Icke, director and writer{{cite news|url=http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2019/aug/18/on-my-radar-robert-icke-almeida|title=On my radar: Robert Icke's cultural highlights|first=Robert|last=Icke|date=18 August 2019|work=The Guardian|access-date=22 August 2021}}
• David Ingman, engineer, Chairman of the British Waterways Board 1987–1993
• Heather Ingman, Professor of English, novelist and journalist
• Jimmy James, comedian{{cite web|url=https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/ce233a7f-4085-4848-b061-04e1e6c8f0c1|title = Jimmy James, a character comedian, born James Casey at Stockton-On-Tees in 1892 and died in 1969. Photo dated 1930}}
• Richard Kilty, sprinter{{cite news|url=https://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/2021-08-07/silver-medal-for-teesside-tornado-richard-kilty-in-4x100-metre-relay |title=Silver medal for 'Teesside tornado' Richard Kilty in 4x100 metre relay |publisher=ITV |date=7 August 2021 |access-date=29 June 2023}}
• Macaulay Langstaff, footballer{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/macaulay-langstaff/494258/ |title=M.Langstaff – Profile |website=Soccerway |access-date=7 April 2023}}
• Jordan Nobbs, footballer{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/jordan-nobbs/133403/ |title=J.Nobbs profile |website=Soccerway |access-date=7 April 2023}}
• Geoff Parling, England and British and Irish Lions rugby player{{cite news|url=https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/15175/12074694/geoff-parling-appointed-australia-forwards-coach |title=Geoff Parling appointed Australia forwards coach |publisher=Sky Sports |date=18 September 2020 |access-date=29 June 2023}}
• Luke Pearson, cartoonist
• Colin Renfrew, archaeologist{{cite web|url=https://www.balzan.org/en/prizewinners/colin-renfrew|title=Colin Renfrew – Balzan Prize Prehistoric Archaeology|website=www.balzan.org|access-date=24 August 2021}}
• Joseph Ritson, literary critic and editor
• Chris Williamson, Love Island contestant{{cite web |title=Chris Williamson (IV) |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7969251/ |website=IMDb |publisher=IMDb}}
• Franc Roddam, film director/producer{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/nov/09/franc-roddam-quadrophenia-interview|title=Franc Roddam: from parkas to the perfect souffle|first=Henry|last=Barnes|date=9 November 2011|newspaper=The Guardian}}
• Graham Rowntree, England rugby player{{cite web|url=https://www.eurosport.com/rugby/graham-rowntree_prs428238/person.shtml |title=Graham Rowntree – Player Profile |website=Eurosport |access-date=8 April 2023}}
• Thomas Sheraton, furniture designer{{cite web|url=https://heritage.stockton.gov.uk/articles/people/thomas-sheraton-cabinet-maker/ |title=Thomas Sheraton – Cabinet Maker |website=Stockton Borough Council |access-date=8 April 2023}}
• Michael Short, Professor of Engineering and author{{cite web|url=https://research.tees.ac.uk/en/persons/michael-short |title=Michael Short |website=Teesside University |access-date=8 April 2023}}
• Paul Smith, singer in rock band Maxïmo Park{{cite web|url=https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/maximo-park-frontman-paul-smith-9885646 |title=Maximo Park frontman Paul Smith heading home for Stockton gig |author=Dave Robson |publisher=Gazette Live |date=19 August 2015 |access-date=8 April 2023}}
• Peter Smithson, architect{{cite web|url=https://www.e-architect.com/architects/peter-alison-smithson|title=Peter and Alison Smithson Architects, London|first=Adrian|last=Welch|date=11 June 2020|website=e-architect|access-date=23 August 2021}}
• Calvert Spensley, American politician
• Bill Steer, co-founder and lead guitarist of extreme metal band Carcass
• Jeremy Swift, actor{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/jeremy-swift/credits/3000076566/|title=Jeremy Swift|website=TV Guide|access-date=22 August 2021}}
• Bruce Thomas, new wave bass guitar backing musician
• Denis Thwaites, footballer murdered in the 2015 Sousse attacks{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/denis-thwaites-fast-and-skilful-footballer-who-played-birmingham-city-and-was-murdered-terrorist-attack-tunisia-10359142.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/denis-thwaites-fast-and-skilful-footballer-who-played-birmingham-city-and-was-murdered-terrorist-attack-tunisia-10359142.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Denis Thwaites: Fast and skilful footballer who played for Birmingham|date=1 July 2015|work=The Independent}}
• Stephen Tompkinson, actor{{cite web|last=Dale|first=Sarah|url=http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/whats-on/film-tv/stephen-tompkinson-teesside-actor-promotes-6194455|title=Stephen Tompkinson: Teesside actor promotes new film Harrigan at the Arc in Stockton|publisher=Gazette Live|date=16 October 2013|access-date=14 January 2016}}
• Lee Turnbull, footballer{{cite news|url=https://www.11v11.com/players/lee-turnbull-10667/ |title=Lee Turnbull Football Player Statistics |publisher=11v11 |access-date=26 May 2023}}
• John Walker, inventor of the friction match{{cite web|url=https://heritage.stockton.gov.uk/articles/people/john-walker-inventor-of-the-friction-match/ |title=John Walker – Inventor of the Friction Match |website=Stockton Borough Council |access-date=8 April 2023}}
• Eric Young, footballer

Other notable residents include:

• Duncan Bannatyne, entrepreneur, moved to Stockton when he was 30, before he made his fortune.{{cite web|url=http://www.bannatyne.co.uk/about-duncan |title=About Duncan |publisher=The Bannatyne Group |access-date=19 November 2023}}
• William Christopher, Hudson's Bay Company captain and explorer{{cite web|url=https://www.captaincooksociety.com/home/detail/william-christopher-was-he-and-james-cook-friends|title=William Christopher|publisher=Captain Cook Society|access-date=24 October 2019}}
• Alan Davey, former civil servant, council administrator and BBC Radio 3 controller
• Elizabeth Estensen, actress
• Don Heath, footballer, winner of the 1968–69 League Cup
• Harold Macmillan, MP for Stockton (1924–29, 1931–45), later Prime Minister (1957–63), invested as Earl of Stockton (1984)
• Michael Marks, founder of Marks & Spencer, started his business career in Stockton in 1883.
• George Orwell, author, resided for a year (1944–45) in Greystones, near Carlton, a village in the borough.{{cite news|url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/7026248.orwell-created-big-brother/ |title=Is this where Orwell created Big Brother? |publisher=The Northern Echo |date=23 June 2003 |access-date=26 May 2023}}
• Bill Rodgers, Baron Rodgers of Quarry Bank, MP for the town (1962–83), co-founder of the SDP
• Ridley Scott and Tony Scott, film directors, both lived in Stockton during their youth.{{cite web|last=Barley|first=Sophie|url=http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/2012/05/26/stockton-bus-routes-named-after-tony-and-ridley-scott-84229-31046902/|title=Stockton bus routes named after Tony and Ridley Scott|date=25 May 2012|publisher=Gazette Live|access-date=14 January 2016}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Wikivoyage|Stockton-on-Tees}}

{{commons category}}

• [http://www.stockton.gov.uk Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council]
• [http://www.northeastengland.talktalk.net/Stockton.htm Stockton-on-Tees in the development of the north-eastern coast]
• [http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/place/place_page.jsp?p_id=867 Historical data for Stockton-on-Tees]
• [http://www.bbc.co.uk/tees/ BBC Tees] – the latest local news, sport, entertainment, features, faith, travel and weather.

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Category:Towns in County Durham

Category:Port cities and towns of the North Sea

Category:Places in the Tees Valley

Category:Unparished areas in County Durham

Category:Former civil parishes in County Durham

Category:Borough of Stockton-on-Tees