Barnet Area Guide [Updated with 2024 Data]

What’s it like to live in Barnet?

Living in Barnet can be a great experience, offering a high standard of living in a diverse and welcoming community. While the cost of living can be steep in some areas, residents benefit from a wide range of amenities, such as excellent schools, fantastic transport links, and beautiful green spaces, making it an ideal place to call home for anyone seeking a balanced city and suburban lifestyle.

This guide provides an overview of important statistics about the borough and how it compares to other boroughs in London.

How much does it cost to buy a house in Barnet?

Properties in Barnet on average cost £583,647.00, ranking the borough as the 24 most affordable borough in London, according to data from HM Land Registry. 

Compared to other areas in London, buying a property in Barnet is more expensive, although not significantly more than the London average.

How much does it cost to rent in Barnet?

Renting a property in Barnet is similar in cost to the London average. According to data from the ONS:

• A studio costs on average £1,029 per month to rent which ranks 15 as the most affordable borough in London
• A one bedroom property costs on average £1,359 per month to rent which ranks 15 as the most affordable borough in London
• A two bedroom property costs on average £1,602 per month to rent which ranks 14 as the most affordable borough in London
• A three bedroom property costs on average £2,163 per month to rent which ranks 19 as the most affordable borough in London
• A three bedroom property costs on average £3,184 per month to rent which ranks 21 as the most affordable borough in London

How many people live in Barnet?

Barnet is one of the most populated boroughs in London according to the latest data from the Ministry of Housing, as measured by number of dwellings. It has 157000 in total, ranking 2 of London boroughs by number of dwellings.

According to data from the ONS:

• 32.4% of households are owned outright
• 30.2% of households are being bought with a mortgage
• 12.7% of households are rented from the local authority of housing association
• 12.7% of households are privately rented

Is Barnet a good place to live?

Although determining whether an area is a good place to live is subjective, we can use data on personal wellbeing collected by the ONS through the Annual Population Survey as an indicator to compare boroughs:

• Barnet ranks 16 of 32 boroughs in terms of life satisfaction (i.e. ‘how satisfied are you with your life?’)
• Barnet ranks 24 of 32 boroughs in terms of ‘worthwhile’ (i.e. ‘to what extent do you feel things you do in your life are worthwhile?’)
• Barnet ranks 21 of 32 boroughs in terms of happiness (i.e. ‘how happy did you feel yesterday?’)
• Barnet ranks 21 of 32 boroughs in terms of anxiousness (i.e. ‘how anxious did you feel yesterday?’)

What schools are there in Barnet and are they good?

In total Barnet has 166 schools, which are broken down into:

• 91 state primary schools
• 26 state secondary schools
• 37 independent schools

For a breakdown of all schools in the area and their latest ratings, search Ofsted’s reports.

Is Barnet polluted?

According to data from the GLA and TFL Air Quality:

• Barnet ranks 15 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest NO2 concentration
• Barnet ranks 12 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest PM2 concentration
• Barnet ranks 14 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest PM10 concentration

What is the employment rate in Barnet?

The employment rate in Barnet is 70.9% which ranks 25 of 32 boroughs in terms of highest employment rate.

Employment rate is important to know for those considering moving to the area, as it can provide an indication of the job market and economic opportunities available in the borough.

Is Barnet a wealthy area?

The average income in Barnet is £59,100 according to data from HMRC. This ranks 9 of London’s boroughs (ranked by highest average income). 

Barnet is generally considered a wealthy area, with a mix of affluent neighbourhoods and more affordable areas. The borough is home to several exclusive enclaves, such as Hampstead Garden Suburb and Totteridge, which are known for their multi-million pound properties and high-end amenities. However, there are also more affordable areas, such as Colindale and Burnt Oak, that offer a range of housing options for those on a budget. Overall, Barnet is a diverse borough with a variety of communities and incomes.

Is Barnet a religious area?

Like the rest of London, Barnet is a diverse area with a mix of cultures and religions. In particular, it is known for its large Jewish population. According to the ONS:

• 39.2% of the resident population identifies as Christian
• 11.8% of the resident population identifies as Muslim
• 4.0% of the resident population identifies as Hindu
• 0.0% of the resident population identifies as Sikh
• 19.2% of the resident population identifies as Jewish
• 4.4% of the resident population do not identify as religious

How large is Barnet?

Barnet is 86.7 km2, making it the 4th largest borough in London.

Its population is estimated as 415,041 according to data from the GLA, ranking it 1 as the most populous borough.

Its population per km2 is 4,784, ranking it 25 as the most populous per km2 borough.

Is Barnet safe?

According to data from the Metropolitan Police Service, in the last two years there were:

• 20,350 total reported crimes and 49.03 total crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Barnet as 6 of boroughs with the least total number of crimes
• 1,426 total reported burglaries and 3.44 total burglaries per 1k of the population, ranking Barnet as 14 of boroughs with the least number of burglaries
• 1,252 total reported cases of criminal damage and 3.02 total cases of criminal damage per 1k of the population, ranking Barnet as 2 of boroughs with the least number of cases of criminal damage
• 432 total reported drug related crimes and 1.04 total drug related crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Barnet as 2 of boroughs with the least number of drug related crimes
• 878 total reported robberies and 2.12 total robberies per 1k of the population, ranking Barnet as 13 of boroughs with the least number of robberies
• 377 total reported sexual offences and 0.91 total sexual offences per 1k of the population, ranking Barnet as 4 of boroughs with the least number of sexual offences
• 10,132 total reported thefts and 24.41 total thefts per 1k of the population, ranking Barnet as 7 of boroughs with the least number of thefts
• 5,547 total reported violent crimes and 13.36 total violent crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Barnet as 6 of boroughs with the least number of violent crimes
  

What public transport options does Barnet have?

Barnet benefits from numerous public transport links, with a variety of options for getting around the borough and beyond. The area is served by several London Underground stations, including High Barnet, Totteridge & Whetstone, and Edgware, which run on the Northern Line and connect to central London and beyond. There are also several National Rail stations, including New Barnet, Oakleigh Park, and Mill Hill Broadway, which offer services to destinations across London.

In addition to these train services, Barnet is well-served by bus routes, with several major routes running through the borough, including the 143, 326, and 384. There are also many smaller bus services, providing convenient connections to local areas and attractions. 

What places are in Barnet?

Some of the most notable areas in Barnet include:

• Finchley: A popular area in the north of the borough that’s known for its tree-lined streets and independent shops.
• Edgware: A bustling town centre located in the northwest corner of the borough, with plenty of shops, restaurants, and cafes, as well as the historic St. Margaret’s Church.
• High Barnet: A residential area with a small town feel, located in the east of the borough. It is home to the popular Spires Shopping Centre, as well as the iconic Barnet Market.
• Mill Hill: A peaceful and affluent suburb in the northwest of the borough, known for its open spaces, such as Mill Hill Park, and its historic architecture.
• New Barnet: A diverse residential area with good transport links, located in the northeast of the borough, close to Cockfosters and Trent Park.
  

Other notable areas in Barnet include Golders Green, Hendon, Colindale, and Totteridge.

What is Barnet famous for?

Barnet has a rich history and a range of attractions, with many outdoors-based activities given its green spaces. This includes:

1. Barnet Market: This historic market has been running since the 12th century and offers a range of goods from fresh produce to clothing and antiques.
2. RAF Museum: The Royal Air Force Museum in Colindale showcases the history of the RAF and has a collection of over 100 aircraft.
3. Hadley Green: This area is known for its beautiful greenery and has been a popular spot for picnics and outdoor activities for centuries.
4. London Loop: The London Loop is a long-distance walking route that passes through Barnet and offers stunning views of the city and the countryside.
5. Dollis Valley Greenwalk: This walking trail follows the path of the River Dollis and offers scenic views and plenty of wildlife spotting opportunities.
6. High Barnet Tube Station: This historic tube station, which opened in 1872, is one of the oldest in London and features an iconic Victorian building.
7. Finchley Lido: This popular outdoor swimming pool has been a fixture in the area since 1931 and has recently been renovated and restored to its former glory.
8. Brent Cross Shopping Centre: This large shopping centre has over 120 stores, including many high-end and designer brands.
9. RAF Bentley Priory Museum: This museum tells the story of the Battle of Britain and is located in a historic building that was once the headquarters of Fighter Command.
10. Barnet FC: This local football club has a long history and is based at The Hive Stadium, which has a capacity of over 6,000 and hosts a range of sporting events and concerts throughout the year.

What boroughs are next to Barnet?

Barnet is bordered by several other boroughs:

• To the east it is bordered by the London Boroughs of Enfield and Haringey
• To the south it is bordered by the London Borough of Camden
• To the southwest it is bordered by the London Borough of Brent
• To the west it is bordered by the London Borough of Harrow

In addition, to the north of Barnet is the county of Hertfordshire.