In 2011, Census data for the Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council ward of High Fell recorded a total population of 6,110.

[1] Wrekenton is bordered by Beacon Lough to the north, Harlow Green to the west, and Eighton Banks to the south.

This name was chosen because Wrekenton and Eighton Banks were divided by the remains of the Wrekendyke Roman road.

It has even been conjectured that a Roman fort existed at the site now occupied by the Ravensworth Golf Club, but no evidence for this has been found.

It remained so for a further seventy years until slum clearance in Gateshead resulted in many new houses being built in Wrekenton, in order to accommodate the previous slum-dwellers.

The main industries of the area surrounding the village during the nineteenth century were coal mining, quarrying, brickmaking and agriculture.

[8] In terms of secondary education, Wrekenton is located within the catchment area for Cardinal Hume Catholic School, rated "outstanding" by Ofsted in January 2014,[9] as well as Lord Lawson of Beamish Academy in Birtley, which was rated "requires improvement" by Ofsted in June 2019.

[16] Heworth is nearest rail station, with Northern Trains providing an hourly service along the Durham Coast Line.