Hackney Area Guide [Updated with 2024 Data]

What’s it like to live in Hackney?

Hackney has a rich cultural heritage and in recent years has become known as London’s creative centre. The area is home to a number of independent shops, restaurants, and cafes, which provide a unique and eclectic range of options. There are also plenty of green spaces in the borough, including Victoria Park (which hosts music festivals in the summer) and London Fields (home to Broadway Market, which provide a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Public transport links in Hackney are generally good, with numerous bus routes and overground train stations serving the area. The only tube station in the borough is Manor House on the Piccadilly Line, which straddles the border between the boroughs of Hackney and Haringey.

Given its popularity boom, the cost of living in the area has increased significantly in recent years, both in terms of buying and renting properties, plus there is added stress on the public transport network, which can be congested during peak hours. 

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 Hackney?

Properties in Hackney on average cost £589,517.00, ranking the borough as the 25 most affordable borough in London, according to data from HM Land Registry. 

Buying a property in Hackney is typically more expensive than other boroughs in London, given its regeneration and increased popularity over the last few decades.

How much does it cost to rent in Hackney?

The cost of renting in Hackney is above the London average. According to data from the ONS:

• A studio costs on average £1,271 per month to rent which ranks 27 as the most affordable borough in London
• A one bedroom property costs on average £1,713 per month to rent which ranks 26 as the most affordable borough in London
• A two bedroom property costs on average £2,063 per month to rent which ranks 26 as the most affordable borough in London
• A three bedroom property costs on average £2,693 per month to rent which ranks 27 as the most affordable borough in London
• A three bedroom property costs on average £3,463 per month to rent which ranks 23 as the most affordable borough in London

How many people live in Hackney?

According to the latest data from the Ministry of Housing, it has 113000 in total, ranking 15 of London boroughs by number of dwellings.

According to data from the ONS:

• 12.5% of households are owned outright
• 23.6% of households are being bought with a mortgage
• 34.5% of households are rented from the local authority of housing association
• 34.5% of households are privately rented

Is Hackney 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:

• Hackney ranks 24 of 32 boroughs in terms of life satisfaction (i.e. ‘how satisfied are you with your life?’)
• Hackney 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?’)
• Hackney ranks 23 of 32 boroughs in terms of happiness (i.e. ‘how happy did you feel yesterday?’)
• Hackney ranks 13 of 32 boroughs in terms of anxiousness (i.e. ‘how anxious did you feel yesterday?’)

What schools are there in Hackney and are they good?

In total Hackney has 113 schools, which are broken down into:

• 58 state primary schools
• 16 state secondary schools
• 32 independent schools

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

Is Hackney polluted?

According to data from the GLA and TFL Air Quality:

• Hackney ranks 26 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest NO2 concentration
• Hackney ranks 25 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest PM2 concentration
• Hackney ranks 25 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest PM10 concentration

What is the employment rate in Hackney?

The employment rate in Hackney is 73.2% which ranks 21 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 Hackney a wealthy area?

The average income in Hackney is £52,500 according to data from HMRC. This ranks 16 of London’s boroughs (ranked by highest average income). 

Historically Hackney is not generally considered to be an affluent part of London. However, in recent times the borough has seen an influx of professionals and investment, which in turn has pushed up house prices. Gentrification has become a concern for long-standing locals. 

Is Hackney a religious area?

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

• 31.5% of the resident population identifies as Christian
• 13.1% of the resident population identifies as Muslim
• 3.2% of the resident population identifies as Hindu
• 0.0% of the resident population identifies as Sikh
• 10.1% of the resident population identifies as Jewish
• 1.9% of the resident population do not identify as religious

How large is Hackney?

Hackney is 19 km2, making it the 29th largest borough in London.

Its population is estimated as 294,312 according to data from the GLA, ranking it 17 as the most populous borough.

Its population per km2 is 15,450, ranking it 3 as the most populous per km2 borough.

Is Hackney safe?

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

• 23,540 total reported crimes and 79.98 total crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Hackney as 25 of boroughs with the least total number of crimes
• 1,616 total reported burglaries and 5.49 total burglaries per 1k of the population, ranking Hackney as 26 of boroughs with the least number of burglaries
• 1,331 total reported cases of criminal damage and 4.52 total cases of criminal damage per 1k of the population, ranking Hackney as 20 of boroughs with the least number of cases of criminal damage
• 614 total reported drug related crimes and 2.09 total drug related crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Hackney as 16 of boroughs with the least number of drug related crimes
• 1,386 total reported robberies and 4.71 total robberies per 1k of the population, ranking Hackney as 27 of boroughs with the least number of robberies
• 572 total reported sexual offences and 1.94 total sexual offences per 1k of the population, ranking Hackney as 28 of boroughs with the least number of sexual offences
• 11,216 total reported thefts and 38.11 total thefts per 1k of the population, ranking Hackney as 24 of boroughs with the least number of thefts
• 6,544 total reported violent crimes and 22.23 total violent crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Hackney as 25 of boroughs with the least number of violent crimes

Hackney has historically seen higher crime rates than other boroughs in London, with bike theft in particular an issue in the area.

What public transport options does Hackney have?

Hackney has a range of public transportation options, although there are no London Underground stations in the borough, aside from Manor House on the Piccadilly Line, which straddles the Hackney-Haringey border. 

The London Overground network has several stations in Hackney, including Hackney Central, Hackney Wick, Homerton, and Dalston Junction. These stations connect to other parts of London and beyond, with services running to destinations such as Stratford, Camden, Clapham Junction, and Watford Junction.

Hackney is also well-served by buses, with a number of different routes running through the borough. Some of the most popular bus routes include the 38, which runs from Clapton Pond to Victoria, and the 55, which runs from Hackney to Oxford Circus. There are also a number of night bus services that run through the borough, making it easy to get around even late at night.

What places are in Hackney?

Some of the most notable areas in Hackney include:

• Hackney Central: Located in the heart of the borough, Hackney Central is home to several cultural venues including the Hackney Empire
• Dalston: This vibrant area is known for its trendy cafes, vintage shops, and lively nightlife, and is popular with young professionals and artists.
• Stoke Newington: This leafy neighbourhood is located in the north of the borough and is known for its independent shops, cafes, and restaurants, as well as its beautiful green spaces.
• Clapton: This up-and-coming area is home to a number of independent businesses, as well as some great parks and green spaces, making it a popular choice for families.
• Hoxton: Located on the border of Hackney and Islington, Hoxton is known for its lively nightlife and street art scene.
• Hackney Wick: This former industrial area has undergone a major transformation in recent years and is now home to a thriving arts and culture scene, as well as some great bars and restaurants.

What is Hackney famous for?

Hackney is popular with locals and visitors for a number of reasons, such as:

1. Hackney Wick: A former industrial area that has been transformed into a thriving arts and culture hub, with galleries, studios, and street art aplenty.
2. Sutton House: A stunning Tudor house in Homerton that dates back to 1535 and is one of the few remaining examples of a Tudor redbrick house in London.
3. Victoria Park: A large park that stretches from Hackney to Tower Hamlets and features a boating lake and sports facilities, plus its the home of several music festivals
4. Ridley Road Market: A bustling street market that sells everything from fresh produce to clothing and is a great place to experience the borough’s vibrant multicultural atmosphere.
5. London Fields Lido: An outdoor heated swimming pool located in London Fields park.
6. Hackney City Farm: A small urban farm located in Haggerston that provides a unique opportunity for visitors to see farm animals up close in the heart of the city.
7. Hackney Marshes: A vast open space in the east of the borough that is a popular spot for sports, with over 80 football pitches and a number of other sports facilities.
8. Broadway Market: A popular street market held every Saturday that is a great place to find artisanal food, vintage clothing, and handmade crafts.
9. Chatsworth Road Market: Another popular street market that sells a variety of goods, including fresh produce, antiques, and vintage clothing.
10. The Hackney Gazette: The borough’s local newspaper, which has been in circulation since 1864 and provides news and information about the local community.
11. Regent’s Canal: A scenic waterway that runs through Hackney and is a great place for a walk or bike ride, with plenty of cafes and bars along the way.
12. Nightlife: Hackney has a vibrant nightlife scene, with clubs such as The Nest, and Village Underground
13. Street art: Hackney is home to some of the most famous street art in the world, with pieces by artists such as Banksy, Stik, and ROA.

What boroughs are next to Hackney?

Hackney is bordered by several other boroughs:

• The London Borough of Haringey is to the north
• The London Borough of Waltham Forest is to the north
• The London Borough of Newham is to the east
• The London Borough of Tower Hamlets is to the south
• The London Borough of Islington is to the west