Greenwich Area Guide [Updated with 2024 Data]

What’s it like to live in Greenwich?

Living in the borough of Greenwich can offer a lot depending on which area you choose to reside in. For example, Greenwich town is generally more expensive, but it’s a desirable place to live due to its history, culture, and amenities. Charlton and Woolwich are more affordable and have a mix of residential and industrial areas, offering a range of housing options. Eltham has a suburban feel with good transport links and plenty of green spaces.

In terms of amenities, the borough has a lot to offer, with numerous shopping centres, markets, restaurants, and cafes dotted throughout the various neighbourhoods. Greenwich Market is a popular destination for foodies and shoppers alike, with a great selection of street food and unique stalls.

Transport links are also good in the borough, with several overground and underground train stations (with more options since the Elizabeth line opened!) as well as bus routes connecting to the rest of London. The DLR and Thames Clipper provide easy access to Canary Wharf and the City of London.

Overall, living in the borough of Greenwich can be a great choice for those who value history, culture, and green spaces. While some areas can be pricey, there are more affordable options available with good amenities and transport links.

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 Greenwich?

Properties in Greenwich on average cost £458,920.00, ranking the borough as the 13 most affordable borough in London, according to data from HM Land Registry. 

Overall buying a property in Greenwich is typically more affordable than other boroughs in London, though this varies depending on the specific area. For example, Greenwich town itself is generally more expensive, whereas areas such as Woolwich and Thamesmead are typically much more affordable than the London average.

How much does it cost to rent in Greenwich?

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

• A studio costs on average £1,114 per month to rent which ranks 20 as the most affordable borough in London
• A one bedroom property costs on average £1,501 per month to rent which ranks 22 as the most affordable borough in London
• A two bedroom property costs on average £1,752 per month to rent which ranks 20 as the most affordable borough in London
• A three bedroom property costs on average £2,101 per month to rent which ranks 16 as the most affordable borough in London
• A three bedroom property costs on average £2,573 per month to rent which ranks 12 as the most affordable borough in London

How many people live in Greenwich?

According to the latest data from the Ministry of Housing, it has 118000 in total, ranking 14 of London boroughs by number of dwellings.

According to data from the ONS:

• 20.6% of households are owned outright
• 27.1% of households are being bought with a mortgage
• 29.3% of households are rented from the local authority of housing association
• 29.3% of households are privately rented

Is Greenwich 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:

• Greenwich ranks 17 of 32 boroughs in terms of life satisfaction (i.e. ‘how satisfied are you with your life?’)
• Greenwich ranks 11 of 32 boroughs in terms of ‘worthwhile’ (i.e. ‘to what extent do you feel things you do in your life are worthwhile?’)
• Greenwich ranks 27 of 32 boroughs in terms of happiness (i.e. ‘how happy did you feel yesterday?’)
• Greenwich ranks 10 of 32 boroughs in terms of anxiousness (i.e. ‘how anxious did you feel yesterday?’)

What schools are there in Greenwich and are they good?

In total Greenwich has 102 schools, which are broken down into:

• 63 state primary schools
• 17 state secondary schools
• 13 independent schools

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

Is Greenwich polluted?

According to data from the GLA and TFL Air Quality:

• Greenwich ranks 14 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest NO2 concentration
• Greenwich ranks 16 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest PM2 concentration
• Greenwich ranks 17 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest PM10 concentration

What is the employment rate in Greenwich?

The employment rate in Greenwich is 76.2% which ranks 14 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 Greenwich a wealthy area?

The average income in Greenwich is £48,900 according to data from HMRC. This ranks 17 of London’s boroughs (ranked by highest average income). 

Overall Greenwich is a diverse mix of affluent areas like Greenwich town and Blackheath, as well as less affluent areas like Woolwich and parts of Charlton.

Is Greenwich a religious area?

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

• 49.7% of the resident population identifies as Christian
• 6.4% of the resident population identifies as Muslim
• 2.5% of the resident population identifies as Hindu
• 3.5% of the resident population identifies as Sikh
• 0.0% of the resident population identifies as Jewish
• 4.3% of the resident population do not identify as religious

How large is Greenwich?

Greenwich is 47.3 km2, making it the 13th largest borough in London.

Its population is estimated as 297,039 according to data from the GLA, ranking it 15 as the most populous borough.

Its population per km2 is 6,275, ranking it 17 as the most populous per km2 borough.

Is Greenwich safe?

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

• 20,336 total reported crimes and 68.46 total crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Greenwich as 19 of boroughs with the least total number of crimes
• 1,104 total reported burglaries and 3.72 total burglaries per 1k of the population, ranking Greenwich as 19 of boroughs with the least number of burglaries
• 1,511 total reported cases of criminal damage and 5.09 total cases of criminal damage per 1k of the population, ranking Greenwich as 29 of boroughs with the least number of cases of criminal damage
• 761 total reported drug related crimes and 2.56 total drug related crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Greenwich as 23 of boroughs with the least number of drug related crimes
• 859 total reported robberies and 2.89 total robberies per 1k of the population, ranking Greenwich as 18 of boroughs with the least number of robberies
• 440 total reported sexual offences and 1.48 total sexual offences per 1k of the population, ranking Greenwich as 19 of boroughs with the least number of sexual offences
• 8,698 total reported thefts and 29.28 total thefts per 1k of the population, ranking Greenwich as 18 of boroughs with the least number of thefts
• 6,626 total reported violent crimes and 22.31 total violent crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Greenwich as 26 of boroughs with the least number of violent crimes

What public transport options does Greenwich have?

Greenwich has a variety of public transport options, including tube, overground, rail, and bus services. The borough is served by several London Underground stations, including North Greenwich on the Jubilee line and Woolwich on the Elizabeth line, as well as several overground stations like Charlton, Woolwich Arsenal, and Plumstead.

There are also numerous rail stations throughout the borough, including Greenwich, Maze Hill, and Westcombe Park, which offer services to various destinations in London and the southeast.

In terms of buses, Greenwich is well connected to the rest of London, with several major routes running through the borough, including the 53, 177, and 180. The DLR (Docklands Light Railway) and Thames Clipper also provide additional transport options, with the former linking the borough to Canary Wharf and the City of London, and the latter providing a scenic way to travel along the River Thames.

What places are in Greenwich?

Greenwich is made up of several distinct areas and neighbourhoods, each with its own character and identity. Some of the most well-known areas within the borough include:

• Greenwich: a historic area situated along the banks of the River Thames, known for its many attractions such as the Cutty Sark and the Royal Observatory.
• Blackheath: an affluent residential area with a large open space of the same name, which hosts a range of events throughout the year, including an annual fireworks display.
• Charlton: a mix of residential and industrial areas, home to the Charlton Athletic football club and a number of parks and green spaces.
• Woolwich: a culturally diverse area that has undergone significant regeneration in recent years, with new housing developments and a modern town centre.
• Eltham: a suburban area with good transport links, several parks, and a popular high street offering a range of shops and restaurants.
• Kidbrooke: a residential area located in the southeast of the borough, with a mix of housing types and several new developments currently under construction.
• Plumstead: a largely residential area with a diverse community and several parks and open spaces.
• Abbey Wood: a residential area situated in the east of the borough, with good transport links and several new developments currently under construction.

What is Greenwich famous for?

Aside its fame for being the home of the Prime Meridian, Greenwich is also known for:

1. The Cutty Sark: a 19th-century clipper ship that has been preserved and turned into a popular museum in Greenwich.
2. The Royal Observatory: a historic observatory in Greenwich that has played a key role in the development of astronomy and navigation.
3. The O2 Arena: a large entertainment complex that hosts concerts, shows, and sporting events throughout the year.
4. The National Maritime Museum: a museum in Greenwich that explores the history of the Royal Navy and Britain’s maritime heritage.
5. Greenwich Park: a large park in the heart of Greenwich that offers stunning views of the city skyline and is home to several historic monuments.
6. The Thames Path: a long-distance walking trail that follows the River Thames through Greenwich and offers a great way to explore the area.
7. The Old Royal Naval College: a UNESCO World Heritage site that was once a naval hospital and is now a popular tourist attraction.
8. Charlton Athletic FC: a football club that has a loyal following and has been based in Charlton since 1919.
9. The Royal Artillery Barracks: a historic military site in Woolwich that is home to the Royal Artillery Regiment and has hosted several events during the London Olympics in 2012.
10. Eltham Palace: a stunning Art Deco mansion in Eltham that was once a royal residence and is now open to the public as a museum.

What boroughs are next to Greenwich?

Greenwich is bordered by several other boroughs:

• The London Borough of Newham is to the north, across the Thames
• The London Borough of Tower Hamlets is to the northwest, across the Thames
• The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham is to the northeast, across the Thames
• The London Borough of Bexley is to the east
• The London Borough of Bromley is to the south
• The London Borough of Lewisham is to the west

How do you pronounce Greenwich?

The correct pronunciation of Greenwich is “GREN-itch”. The emphasis is on the first syllable, and the “w” is not pronounced.