Camden is a vibrant borough located in the heart of London, known globally for its iconic music venues and bustling markets. Though many associate the borough with Camden town, it also encompasses several other high profile areas such as Hampstead and the newly regenerated King’s Cross. This guide will provide you with all the information you need, whether you’re living, visiting or investing in Camden. It includes the latest data from official government sources.
What’s it like to live in Camden?
Living in the borough of Camden can be an exciting and dynamic experience, with a lot to offer in terms of culture, entertainment, and community. It’s hard to find another place in the world – not just in London – that can match Camden’s winning combination of vibrant nightlife, rich cultural offerings, and lush green spaces. However, like any urban area that attracts a lot of visitors, there are some drawbacks to consider, such as high living costs and high crime rates.
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 Camden?
Properties in Camden on average cost £714,736.00, ranking the borough as the 28 most affordable borough in London, according to data from HM Land Registry.
Buying a property in Camden is typically expensive given the borough’s central location, history and amenities on offer.
How much does it cost to rent in Camden?
Camden is one of the most expensive areas to rent in London. According to data from the ONS:
- A studio costs on average £1,174 per month to rent which ranks 22 as the most affordable borough in London
- A one bedroom property costs on average £1,813 per month to rent which ranks 29 as the most affordable borough in London
- A two bedroom property costs on average £2,457 per month to rent which ranks 30 as the most affordable borough in London
- A three bedroom property costs on average £3,213 per month to rent which ranks 30 as the most affordable borough in London
- A three bedroom property costs on average £4,478 per month to rent which ranks 29 as the most affordable borough in London
How many people live in Camden?
Camden has a comparable number of dwellings to many other boroughs in London, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Housing. It has 107000 in total, ranking 19 of London boroughs by number of dwellings.
According to data from the ONS:
- 21.8% of households are owned outright
- 19.9% of households are being bought with a mortgage
- 34.1% of households are rented from the local authority of housing association
- 34.1% of households are privately rented
Is Camden 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:
- Camden ranks 26 of 32 boroughs in terms of life satisfaction (i.e. ‘how satisfied are you with your life?’)
- Camden ranks 28 of 32 boroughs in terms of ‘worthwhile’ (i.e. ‘to what extent do you feel things you do in your life are worthwhile?’)
- Camden ranks 23 of 32 boroughs in terms of happiness (i.e. ‘how happy did you feel yesterday?’)
- Camden ranks 24 of 32 boroughs in terms of anxiousness (i.e. ‘how anxious did you feel yesterday?’)
What schools are there in Camden and are they good?
In total Camden has 94 schools, which are broken down into:
- 42 state primary schools
- 10 state secondary schools
- 32 independent schools
For a breakdown of all schools in the area and their latest ratings, search Ofsted’s reports.
Is Camden polluted?
According to data from the GLA and TFL Air Quality:
- Camden ranks 31 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest NO2 concentration
- Camden ranks 30 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest PM2 concentration
- Camden ranks 28 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest PM10 concentration
What is the employment rate in Camden?
The employment rate in Camden is 70.2% which ranks 28 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 Camden a wealthy area?
The average income in Camden is £119,000 according to data from HMRC. This ranks 3 of London’s boroughs (ranked by highest average income).
Camden is known for its diverse range of neighbourhoods, including both upscale areas and more affordable ones. Some of the more affluent parts of Camden include Hampstead, Belsize Park, and Primrose Hill, which are known for their large, stately homes and high-end shops and restaurants. However, there are also more bohemian and eclectic areas in Camden, such as Camden Town, which is famous for its vibrant market and music scene, and Kentish Town, which has a more laid-back, community-oriented feel.
Is Camden a religious area?
Like the rest of London, Camden is a diverse area with a mix of cultures and religions. According to the ONS:
- 33.9% of the resident population identifies as Christian
- 16.4% of the resident population identifies as Muslim
- 2.1% of the resident population identifies as Hindu
- 0.0% of the resident population identifies as Sikh
- 5.3% of the resident population identifies as Jewish
- 5.4% of the resident population do not identify as religious
How large is Camden?
Camden is 21.8 km2, making it the 26th largest borough in London.
Its population is estimated as 261,082 according to data from the GLA, ranking it 23 as the most populous borough.
Its population per km2 is 11,982, ranking it 8 as the most populous per km2 borough.
Is Camden safe?
According to data from the Metropolitan Police Service, in the last two years there were:
- 41,003 total reported crimes and 157.05 total crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Camden as 31 of boroughs with the least total number of crimes
- 2,208 total reported burglaries and 8.46 total burglaries per 1k of the population, ranking Camden as 31 of boroughs with the least number of burglaries
- 1,601 total reported cases of criminal damage and 6.13 total cases of criminal damage per 1k of the population, ranking Camden as 31 of boroughs with the least number of cases of criminal damage
- 889 total reported drug related crimes and 3.41 total drug related crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Camden as 29 of boroughs with the least number of drug related crimes
- 1,593 total reported robberies and 6.10 total robberies per 1k of the population, ranking Camden as 31 of boroughs with the least number of robberies
- 729 total reported sexual offences and 2.79 total sexual offences per 1k of the population, ranking Camden as 31 of boroughs with the least number of sexual offences
- 25,122 total reported thefts and 96.22 total thefts per 1k of the population, ranking Camden as 31 of boroughs with the least number of thefts
- 8,474 total reported violent crimes and 32.46 total violent crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Camden as 31 of boroughs with the least number of violent crimes
Camden has a high crime rate relative to other boroughs, due in part to its large number of visitors. It’s always a good idea to remain observant and mindful of your surroundings when you’re in busy, populated areas like Camden, especially after dark.
What public transport options does Camden have?
Camden benefits from an extensive public transport network that includes several tube lines, rail options, and numerous bus routes. Some of the tube lines that serve the borough include the Northern Line, which runs through central Camden with stations at Chalk Farm, Camden Town, and Kentish Town, as well as the Jubilee Line, which passes through West Hampstead and Swiss Cottage.
Camden is also well-served by rail options, including the Overground line with stops at Camden Road and Kentish Town West, as well as national rail services from stations such as Euston, King’s Cross, and St. Pancras International.
Additionally, there are numerous bus routes that operate in and around the borough, providing convenient connections to destinations across the city. Some of the most popular bus routes include the 29, which runs from Trafalgar Square to Wood Green, and the 24, which runs from Pimlico to Hampstead Heath. Other key bus routes in the area include the 168, 253, 274, and 390, which connect Camden to destinations such as Victoria, Stratford, and Croydon. Additionally, there are several night bus routes that operate in Camden, providing a reliable way to get around the city after dark.
What places are in Camden?
The borough of Camden covers a broad range of places:
- Camden Town – vibrant and eclectic neighbourhood known for its market and live music venues.
- Hampstead – upscale area with picturesque streets, beautiful homes, and a village-like feel.
- King’s Cross – bustling transportation hub with plenty of shopping and dining options.
- Kentish Town – residential area with a mix of independent shops and chain stores.
- Bloomsbury – historic neighbourhood known for its beautiful garden squares, literary history, and world-class museums.
- Somers Town – multicultural area located close to Euston Station.
- Gospel Oak – quiet residential area with beautiful views over the city from Parliament Hill.
- Highgate – leafy and affluent area with a historic village centre and beautiful views over London.
- Holborn – central area with plenty of restaurants, shops, and cultural attractions.
- Belsize Park – upscale residential area with beautiful homes and plenty of green space.
What is Camden famous for?
There are many, many things that makes Camden and the areas within it globally-recognised destinations, such as:
- Camden Market – one of the largest and most diverse markets in the world, with over 1,000 shops and stalls.
- The British Library – a world-renowned research library located in Kings Cross that holds over 170 million items from all over the globe.
- Regent’s Canal – a picturesque waterway that runs through Camden and is popular with boaters and walkers.
- British Museum – one of the world’s greatest museums, with a vast collection of art and artefacts from around the world.
- Kings Cross Station – an iconic train station that is known for its distinctive architecture and its role as a major transport hub in London (and platform 9 3/4s from Harry Potter!).
- Primrose Hill – a beautiful park with stunning views over London.
- Amy Winehouse – the late singer-songwriter and Camden resident, who was an integral part of the area’s music scene.
- Hampstead Heath – a large, picturesque park that offers stunning views of the London skyline and is a popular destination for outdoor activities such as running, swimming, and picnicking.
- Academic institutions – the area is home to several prestigious academic institutions, including the University of London, the School of Oriental and African Studies, and the Royal College of Surgeons.
- Street Art – Camden is home to some of London’s most iconic street art, with works by Banksy and many other talented artists on display throughout the borough.
The list could go on and on – Camden is a cultural hotspot!
What boroughs are next to Camden?
Camden is bordered by several other boroughs:
- To the north it is bordered by the London Boroughs of Haringey and Barnet
- To the east it is bordered by the London Borough of Islington
- To the south, it is bordered by the City of Westminster
- To the west, it is bordered by the London Borough of Brent
