Enfield Area Guide [Updated with 2024 Data]

What’s it like to live in Enfield?

Enfield offers a middle ground between city and county-town living – it’s full of green spaces with its proximity to the green belt and spaces such as Trent Park, while also being well-suited to commuters, with the Piccadilly tube line, the Overground and numerous bus routes serving it. The borough has affordable housing options relative to other areas in London, with a mix of Georgian, Victorian and modern housing developments, plus it is home to a range of highly-rated schools and several of Middlesex University’s campuses.

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 Enfield?

Properties in Enfield on average cost £427,468.00, ranking the borough as the 8 most affordable borough in London, according to data from HM Land Registry. 

Buying a property in Enfield is typically more affordable than most other boroughs in London.

How much does it cost to rent in Enfield?

The cost of renting in Enfield is in line with the London average. According to data from the ONS:

• A studio costs on average £1,020 per month to rent which ranks 13 as the most affordable borough in London
• A one bedroom property costs on average £1,161 per month to rent which ranks 8 as the most affordable borough in London
• A two bedroom property costs on average £1,444 per month to rent which ranks 7 as the most affordable borough in London
• A three bedroom property costs on average £1,746 per month to rent which ranks 6 as the most affordable borough in London
• A three bedroom property costs on average £2,427 per month to rent which ranks 9 as the most affordable borough in London

How many people live in Enfield?

According to the latest data from the Ministry of Housing, Enfield has 127000 in total, ranking 10 of London boroughs by number of dwellings.

According to data from the ONS:

• 32.7% of households are owned outright
• 33.7% of households are being bought with a mortgage
• 16.9% of households are rented from the local authority of housing association
• 16.9% of households are privately rented

Is Enfield 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:

• Enfield ranks 28 of 32 boroughs in terms of life satisfaction (i.e. ‘how satisfied are you with your life?’)
• Enfield 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?’)
• Enfield ranks 28 of 32 boroughs in terms of happiness (i.e. ‘how happy did you feel yesterday?’)
• Enfield ranks 9 of 32 boroughs in terms of anxiousness (i.e. ‘how anxious did you feel yesterday?’)

What schools are there in Enfield and are they good?

In total Enfield has 109 schools, which are broken down into:

• 68 state primary schools
• 21 state secondary schools
• 13 independent schools

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

Is Enfield polluted?

According to data from the GLA and TFL Air Quality:

• Enfield ranks 10 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest NO2 concentration
• Enfield ranks 9 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest PM2 concentration
• Enfield ranks 9 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest PM10 concentration

What is the employment rate in Enfield?

The employment rate in Enfield 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 Enfield a wealthy area?

The average income in Enfield is £42,800 according to data from HMRC. This ranks 24 of London’s boroughs (ranked by highest average income). 

According to Trust for London, Enfield is worse than the London average for several poverty indicator metrics, including percentage of residents earning below the UK Living Wage.

Is Enfield a religious area?

Like the rest of London, Enfield is a diverse area with a mix of cultures and religions. According to the ONS:

• 55.2% of the resident population identifies as Christian
• 14.7% 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
• 0.0% of the resident population identifies as Jewish
• 3.9% of the resident population do not identify as religious

How large is Enfield?

Enfield is 80.8 km2, making it the 6th largest borough in London.

Its population is estimated as 349,994 according to data from the GLA, ranking it 5 as the most populous borough.

Its population per km2 is 4,330, ranking it 27 as the most populous per km2 borough.

Is Enfield safe?

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

• 19,755 total reported crimes and 56.44 total crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Enfield as 12 of boroughs with the least total number of crimes
• 1,341 total reported burglaries and 3.83 total burglaries per 1k of the population, ranking Enfield as 20 of boroughs with the least number of burglaries
• 1,416 total reported cases of criminal damage and 4.05 total cases of criminal damage per 1k of the population, ranking Enfield as 14 of boroughs with the least number of cases of criminal damage
• 461 total reported drug related crimes and 1.32 total drug related crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Enfield as 6 of boroughs with the least number of drug related crimes
• 906 total reported robberies and 2.59 total robberies per 1k of the population, ranking Enfield as 17 of boroughs with the least number of robberies
• 497 total reported sexual offences and 1.42 total sexual offences per 1k of the population, ranking Enfield as 18 of boroughs with the least number of sexual offences
• 9,102 total reported thefts and 26.01 total thefts per 1k of the population, ranking Enfield as 12 of boroughs with the least number of thefts
• 5,783 total reported violent crimes and 16.52 total violent crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Enfield as 13 of boroughs with the least number of violent crimes

What public transport options does Enfield have?

Enfield is well-served by public transport, with several options available to residents. The London Underground’s Piccadilly Line runs through the borough, with stations at Arnos Grove, Southgate, Oakwood and Cockfosters while the London Overground serves stations such as Enfield Town, Bush Hill Park, and Southbury. Enfield is also well-connected by rail, with regular services from Enfield Town and Edmonton Green stations, and a number of bus routes run through the borough, providing links to nearby areas such as Barnet, Haringey, Waltham Forest, and beyond.

What places are in Enfield?

Enfield is a diverse borough with several neighbourhoods, including Enfield Town, which is the historic centre of the borough and features a range of shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions. Other areas in the borough include Palmers Green, Winchmore Hill, Southgate, and Edmonton, each with their own distinct character and amenities. There are also several parks and green spaces in the borough, such as Trent Park and Bush Hill Park, which offer opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation.

What is Enfield famous for?

While the borough of Enfield may not be as well-known as some other areas of London, it does have a rich history and many attractions that are popular with locals and visitors alike, such as:

1. Enfield Market: One of the oldest markets in the country, dating back to 1303.
2. Forty Hall Estate: A stunning Grade I listed Jacobean mansion set in beautiful parkland.
3. Whitewebbs Museum of Transport: A museum dedicated to vintage vehicles, including cars, buses, and motorcycles.
4. The New River: A man-made waterway built in the early 17th century to bring fresh water to London.
5. Myddelton House Gardens: A beautiful garden that was once the home of renowned horticulturalist E.A. Bowles.
6. Lee Valley Regional Park: An expansive park that spans across several boroughs and offers a range of recreational activities.
7. Trent Country Park: A popular park with a large nature reserve, adventure playground, and Go Ape course.
8. Forty Hall Vineyard: A community vineyard that produces award-winning wines.
9. The Dugdale Centre: A cultural hub that includes a theatre, art gallery, and museum.
10. Enfield Island Village: A unique development that has transformed a former industrial site into a thriving residential community.

What boroughs are next to Enfield?

Enfield is bordered by several other boroughs:

• The London Borough of Waltham Forest is to the southeast
• The London Borough of Haringey is to the south
• The London Borough of Barnet is to the west

Enfield also shares a boundary with the Essex borough of Epping Forest, plus the districts of Broxbourne and Welwyn Hatfield in Hertfordshire.