Houghton-le-Spring is a town in the Sunderland district, in Tyne and Wear, England which has its recorded origins in Norman times. Historically in County Durham, it is now administered as part of the Tyne and Wear county. It lies between Durham, 7 miles southwest and Sunderland, 7 mi northeast. Seaham is also 5 mi directly east. The villages and towns of Newbottle, Fencehouses and Hetton-le-Hole lie nearby. It had a population of 36,746.