[3] The village is home to East Rainton cricket club, which was founded before 1851[4] and which has seen many successes throughout its long history.

The 2nd XI are current North East Durham League champions.

Other village facilities include a small premier shop, East Rainton Primary School, the church of St Cuthbert, and the Methodist chapel.

The village post office closed in 2011 and its space was used to expand the local shop.

The village is located just by the outskirts of Durham on the area of high ground to the south of Houghton-le-Spring, and the name Rainton is thought to stem from the Anglo-Saxon - Rennington or Renn's settlement.