Leeds in 2015, is ranked as a gamma world city by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network; and is considered the cultural, financial and commercial heart of the West Yorkshire Urban Area.   Leeds is served by three universities, and has one of the largest student populations in the country with over 250,000 students.  and has the country’s fourth largest urban economy.   After London, Leeds is the largest legal centre in the UK,  and in 2011 its financial and insurance services industry was worth £2.1 billion, the 5th largest in the UK, with over 30 national and international banks located in the city. It is the leading UK city for telephone delivered banking and related financial services, with over 30 call centres employing around 20,000 people. 

As Headingley is close to both the University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University campuses, it has become a very popular student area.  The student population has brought money into the area, improved public transport and, generally, made it a more desirable place to live for a portion of the population.

Headingley is also known in sporting circles — its stadium (known as Headingley) is home to the Yorkshire County Cricket Club as well as theLeeds Rhinos rugby league and Leeds Carnegie rugby union clubs. Headingley is also the home of the FA Chartership Team of the Year 2006,Headingley AFC. The team currently plays in the West Yorkshire League Division 1. Headingley AFC won the Barkston Ash FA Cup on 9 April 2007, winning the final 2–0 against Sherburn White Rose. They are currently managed by Elliott Sheeran.