Brent is a vibrant borough located in northwest London, known for its diverse and multicultural community. It is home to iconic landmarks such as Wembley Stadium, the largest stadium in the UK, and the Neasden Temple, one of the largest Hindu temples outside of India, as well as the bustling areas of Kilburn and Harlesden. This guide will provide you with all the information you need, whether you’re living, visiting or investing in the London borough of Brent. It includes the latest data from official government sources.
What’s it like to live in Brent?
Living in Brent can offer a balance of affordability and quality of life, with a range of housing options to suit different budgets, plus access to green spaces and amenities. The borough has undergone significant regeneration in recent years, with new developments such as the London Designer Outlet and the ongoing transformation of Wembley Park, making it an exciting and evolving place to call home.
How much does it cost to buy a house in Brent?
Properties in Brent on average cost £521,609.00, ranking the borough as the 19 most affordable borough in London, according to data from HM Land Registry.
Buying a property in Brent is comparable to the London average.
How much does it cost to rent in Brent?
The cost of renting in Brent is in line with the London average. According to data from the ONS:
- A studio costs on average £1,042 per month to rent which ranks 16 as the most affordable borough in London
- A one bedroom property costs on average £1,387 per month to rent which ranks 18 as the most affordable borough in London
- A two bedroom property costs on average £1,710 per month to rent which ranks 19 as the most affordable borough in London
- A three bedroom property costs on average £2,081 per month to rent which ranks 15 as the most affordable borough in London
- A three bedroom property costs on average £2,655 per month to rent which ranks 14 as the most affordable borough in London
How many people live in Brent?
Brent has a comparable number of dwellings to many other boroughs in London, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Housing. It has 125000 in total, ranking 12 of London boroughs by number of dwellings.
According to data from the ONS:
- 27.7% of households are owned outright
- 21.9% of households are being bought with a mortgage
- 20.2% of households are rented from the local authority of housing association
- 20.2% of households are privately rented
Is Brent 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:
- Brent ranks 8 of 32 boroughs in terms of life satisfaction (i.e. ‘how satisfied are you with your life?’)
- Brent ranks 8 of 32 boroughs in terms of ‘worthwhile’ (i.e. ‘to what extent do you feel things you do in your life are worthwhile?’)
- Brent ranks 1 of 32 boroughs in terms of happiness (i.e. ‘how happy did you feel yesterday?’)
- Brent ranks 2 of 32 boroughs in terms of anxiousness (i.e. ‘how anxious did you feel yesterday?’)
What schools are there in Brent and are they good?
In total Brent has 103 schools, which are broken down into:
- 60 state primary schools
- 15 state secondary schools
- 18 independent schools
For a breakdown of all schools in the area and their latest ratings, search Ofsted’s reports.
Is Brent polluted?
According to data from the GLA and TFL Air Quality:
- Brent ranks 21 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest NO2 concentration
- Brent ranks 20 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest PM2 concentration
- Brent ranks 21 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest PM10 concentration
What is the employment rate in Brent?
The employment rate in Brent is 69.3% which ranks 32 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 Brent a wealthy area?
The average income in Brent is £44,100 according to data from HMRC. This ranks 23 of London’s boroughs (ranked by highest average income).
Brent is not typically known as a wealthy area, but rather one with a mix of different socio-economic groups. While there are affluent pockets in some parts of the borough, such as parts of Wembley and Kensal Green, there are also areas with more affordable housing options, such as Harlesden and Neasden.
Is Brent a religious area?
Like the rest of London, Brent is a diverse area with a mix of cultures and religions. It has a large Muslim and Hindu population compared to other areas. According to the ONS:
- 33.9% of the resident population identifies as Christian
- 29.7% of the resident population identifies as Muslim
- 15.7% of the resident population identifies as Hindu
- 0.0% of the resident population identifies as Sikh
- 0.0% of the resident population identifies as Jewish
- 5.6% of the resident population do not identify as religious
How large is Brent?
Brent is 43.2 km2, making it the 15th largest borough in London.
Its population is estimated as 348,783 according to data from the GLA, ranking it 6 as the most populous borough.
Its population per km2 is 8,068, ranking it 14 as the most populous per km2 borough.
Is Brent safe?
According to data from the Metropolitan Police Service, in the last two years there were:
- 24,144 total reported crimes and 69.22 total crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Brent as 20 of boroughs with the least total number of crimes
- 1,288 total reported burglaries and 3.69 total burglaries per 1k of the population, ranking Brent as 18 of boroughs with the least number of burglaries
- 1,541 total reported cases of criminal damage and 4.42 total cases of criminal damage per 1k of the population, ranking Brent as 19 of boroughs with the least number of cases of criminal damage
- 869 total reported drug related crimes and 2.49 total drug related crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Brent as 21 of boroughs with the least number of drug related crimes
- 1,054 total reported robberies and 3.02 total robberies per 1k of the population, ranking Brent as 19 of boroughs with the least number of robberies
- 479 total reported sexual offences and 1.37 total sexual offences per 1k of the population, ranking Brent as 16 of boroughs with the least number of sexual offences
- 10,969 total reported thefts and 31.45 total thefts per 1k of the population, ranking Brent as 20 of boroughs with the least number of thefts
- 7,615 total reported violent crimes and 21.83 total violent crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Brent as 23 of boroughs with the least number of violent crimes
What public transport options does Brent have?
Brent benefits from an extensive public transport network, with multiple tube and rail stations as well as numerous bus routes. The borough is served by the Jubilee and Metropolitan lines of the London Underground, with stations including Wembley Park, Neasden, and Harlesden, providing fast links to central London and beyond. There are also overground rail options, with stations such as Willesden Junction and Brondesbury Park connecting to other parts of the city.
In addition, Brent has a comprehensive bus network, with routes covering many parts of the borough and connecting to other areas of London. Some of the key bus routes that serve Brent include the 18, 79, 83, 92, 182, 204, 206, 223, 224, 245, 260, 297, 302, 332, 460, and N83. These routes connect various parts of the borough to central London and other areas of the city, as well as to major transport hubs such as Heathrow Airport and Victoria Coach Station.
What places are in Brent?
Some of the key areas that are located within the borough include:
- Wembley: home to Wembley Stadium and the SSE Arena, as well as a range of shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
- Kilburn: a bustling area with a lively high street, popular pubs and bars, and easy access to transport links.
- Willesden: a residential area with a mix of different housing options and good local amenities, including the popular Roundwood Park.
- Harlesden: a multicultural neighborhood with a vibrant high street, markets, and easy access to transport links.
- Neasden: a residential area with a mix of different housing options and good local amenities, as well as Neasden Temple.
- Cricklewood: a diverse area with a range of different housing options and good transport links, as well as the popular Mapesbury Dell park.
What is Brent famous for?
Brent is home to some key landmarks not just in London, but in the whole country:
- Wembley Stadium – the largest stadium in the UK and home to major sporting and entertainment events.
- The Neasden Temple – one of the largest Hindu temples outside of India, featuring stunning architecture and gardens.
- The Ace Café – a historic café and popular gathering place for motorcycle enthusiasts.
- Roundwood Park – a beautiful green space with a lake, sports facilities, and a popular café.
- The Brent Reservoir – a large reservoir and nature reserve, popular for boating and bird-watching.
- The London Designer Outlet – a popular shopping and entertainment destination, featuring a range of brand-name stores and restaurants.
- The Brent Museum and Archives – a fascinating collection of local history and artefacts, including the famous Brentford Mammoth.
- The Tricycle Theatre – a leading arts venue, offering a diverse program of film, theatre, and community events.
- Willesden Green – a residential area with good local amenities and easy access to transport links.
- The Brent Cross Shopping Centre – a large shopping centre with a range of stores and restaurants, located just outside the borough
What boroughs are next to Brent?
Brent is bordered by several other boroughs:
- To the north it is bordered by the London Boroughs of Harrow and Barnet
- To the east it is bordered by the London Borough of Camden
- To the south, it is bordered by the London Boroughs of City of Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, and Hammersmith and Fulham
- To the west, it is bordered by the London Borough of Ealing
