Which neighbourhoods in London have the largest Muslim populations by number?
Executive summary
London contains the largest Muslim population of any UK city: Greater London had about 1.32 million Muslims in the 2021 census, equal to roughly 15% of the capital’s population [1]. National summaries from the Muslim Council of Britain underline that around 40% of England and Wales’ Muslim population live in London, and that British Muslim numbers rose to roughly 4 million by the 2021 census [2].
1. Where the largest Muslim populations are concentrated: inner London boroughs dominate
London’s highest concentrations of Muslims are in specific boroughs rather than evenly spread across the metropolis. Official census-based reporting and community analysis highlight Tower Hamlets and Newham among the boroughs with the greatest proportions: Tower Hamlets showed the highest share (one widely cited figure is about 36.4%), and Newham is regularly reported as the second-largest proportion in city-level breakdowns [3]. These inner and east-London boroughs have long-established Bangladeshi, Somali and other Muslim communities [4] [1].
2. Size vs. share: Greater London has the most Muslims, some boroughs the highest shares
Greater London counted about 1,318,755 Muslims in the 2021 census, making Muslims roughly 15% of Londoners [1]. That large absolute number means London carries a disproportionate share of Britain’s Muslims—community reporting notes London contains nearly 40% of Muslims in England and Wales [3] [2]. But borough-level rankings differ depending on whether you measure absolute counts (largest numbers often in higher‑population outer boroughs) or percentage of local population (highest shares in smaller, densely Muslim boroughs such as Tower Hamlets and Newham) [3] [1].
3. Why certain neighbourhoods grew: migration, family settlement and local networks
Sources point to historical migration routes and community institutions as drivers: British Bangladeshi communities established mosques and businesses in east London (Tower Hamlets, Newham), while other groups—Somalis, Pakistanis, Turks and Arabs—formed their own local hubs across Kensington & Chelsea (Notting Hill/Edgware Road), Lambeth, Brent and beyond [4] [1]. These networks create pull factors—employment, affordable housing, faith and cultural institutions—that sustain local population concentrations [1].
4. Multiple data snapshots, sometimes conflicting totals — read the definitions
Different sources use differing geographies and dates. The 2021 census figures cited by Wikipedia and borough summaries give 1.32 million Muslims in Greater London and 15% share [1]. The Muslim Council of Britain’s census summary synthesises 2021 data to describe roughly 4 million Muslims across Britain and emphasises London’s centrality [2]. Other outlets and aggregators quote earlier estimates (2019 or 2011) or city-only counts that produce lower percentages (for example, older sources put London’s Muslim share in the 8–12% range) [5] [3]. Always check the year and whether the figure is inner/outer London, Greater London, or city proper [5] [1] [2].
5. What the numbers imply for services and politics
Community briefs highlight socioeconomic context: the Muslim Council of Britain’s census report emphasises that many Muslims live in areas with higher deprivation and unemployment, and that nearly 39% of Muslims live in the most deprived areas of England and Wales—facts framed to press policymakers on services and inclusion [2]. Politically, concentrations in boroughs such as Tower Hamlets and Newham shape local representation, community services and the profile of mosques and cultural organisations [1] [4].
6. Limitations, disagreements and what’s not in the sources
Available sources do not provide a single, borough-by-borough ranked table of absolute Muslim numbers across London within this dataset; they offer high-level totals (Greater London 1.32m; London 15% Muslim) and name a few high‑share boroughs such as Tower Hamlets and Newham [1] [3] [2]. Some outlets give different totals for London (e.g., older or alternative definitions yielding lower percentages); those differences reflect variations in census year, geography and methodology [5] [6]. Precise up-to-date neighbourhood (ward-level) rankings are not found in the provided results.
7. Bottom line for readers and researchers
For journalists or planners asking “which neighbourhoods have the largest Muslim populations,” the answer is: Greater London leads the UK with about 1.32 million Muslims (15% of its population), and inner‑east boroughs—most notably Tower Hamlets and Newham—have the highest local shares [1] [3] [2]. For ward‑level or the latest post‑census shifts, consult the Office for National Statistics or the detailed borough-level census tables (not included among the current sources).