Hammersmith and Fulham Area Guide [Updated with 2024 Data]

What’s it like to live in Hammersmith & Fulham?

Generally Hammersmith and Fulham is considered a desirable area to live in, with a correspondingly high cost of living. Its various districts have their own unique qualities, for example, Hammersmith has a bustling town centre with plenty of shopping, entertainment and transport options, as well as outside spaces including along the Thames. 

Fulham is a sought-after residential area with a village-like feel. The area is known for its high-end shops and restaurants, as well as open spaces such as Bishops Park and Eel Brook Common.

Meanwhile Shepherd’s Bush is known for its lively market, its large Westfield shopping centre, and its affordable housing options.

Overall the borough boasts very good transport links, with several tube lines serving it, including the Central, Circle, District, Piccadilly and of course the Hammersmith and City lines.

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 Hammersmith & Fulham?

Properties in Hammersmith & Fulham on average cost £745,123.00, ranking the borough as the 30 most affordable borough in London, according to data from HM Land Registry. 

Buying a property in Hammersmith & Fulham is typically significantly more expensive than other boroughs in London.

How much does it cost to rent in Hammersmith & Fulham?

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

• A studio costs on average £1,230 per month to rent which ranks 26 as the most affordable borough in London
• A one bedroom property costs on average £1,724 per month to rent which ranks 27 as the most affordable borough in London
• A two bedroom property costs on average £2,270 per month to rent which ranks 28 as the most affordable borough in London
• A three bedroom property costs on average £3,137 per month to rent which ranks 29 as the most affordable borough in London
• A three bedroom property costs on average £4,808 per month to rent which ranks 30 as the most affordable borough in London

How many people live in Hammersmith & Fulham?

According to the latest data from the Ministry of Housing, it has 92000 in total, ranking 26 of London boroughs by number of dwellings.

According to data from the ONS:

• 23.4% of households are owned outright
• 19.8% of households are being bought with a mortgage
• 28.2% of households are rented from the local authority of housing association
• 28.2% of households are privately rented

Is Hammersmith & Fulham 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:

• Hammersmith & Fulham ranks 7 of 32 boroughs in terms of life satisfaction (i.e. ‘how satisfied are you with your life?’)
• Hammersmith & Fulham ranks 9 of 32 boroughs in terms of ‘worthwhile’ (i.e. ‘to what extent do you feel things you do in your life are worthwhile?’)
• Hammersmith & Fulham ranks 10 of 32 boroughs in terms of happiness (i.e. ‘how happy did you feel yesterday?’)
• Hammersmith & Fulham ranks 29 of 32 boroughs in terms of anxiousness (i.e. ‘how anxious did you feel yesterday?’)

Many of the areas within the borough, including Hammersmith and Fulham, are highly sought after areas to live.

What schools are there in Hammersmith & Fulham and are they good?

In total Hammersmith & Fulham has 83 schools, which are broken down into:

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

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

Is Hammersmith & Fulham polluted?

According to data from the GLA and TFL Air Quality:

• Hammersmith & Fulham ranks 25 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest NO2 concentration
• Hammersmith & Fulham ranks 25 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest PM2 concentration
• Hammersmith & Fulham ranks 27 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest PM10 concentration

What is the employment rate in Hammersmith & Fulham?

The employment rate in Hammersmith & Fulham is 76.6% which ranks 13 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 Hammersmith & Fulham a wealthy area?

The average income in Hammersmith & Fulham is £83,600 according to data from HMRC. This ranks 5 of London’s boroughs (ranked by highest average income).

According to Trust for London, 12.4% of the borough’s residents were estimated to be earning below the UK Living Wage, which is significantly less than the London average.

Is Hammersmith & Fulham a religious area?

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

• 52.9% of the resident population identifies as Christian
• 10.8% of the resident population identifies as Muslim
• 0.0% 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
• 4.0% of the resident population do not identify as religious

How large is Hammersmith & Fulham?

Hammersmith & Fulham is 16.4 km2, making it the 30th largest borough in London.

Its population is estimated as 201,406 according to data from the GLA, ranking it 30 as the most populous borough.

Its population per km2 is 12,283, ranking it 7 as the most populous per km2 borough.

Is Hammersmith & Fulham safe?

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

• 18,616 total reported crimes and 92.43 total crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Hammersmith & Fulham as 27 of boroughs with the least total number of crimes
• 1,048 total reported burglaries and 5.20 total burglaries per 1k of the population, ranking Hammersmith & Fulham as 25 of boroughs with the least number of burglaries
• 983 total reported cases of criminal damage and 4.88 total cases of criminal damage per 1k of the population, ranking Hammersmith & Fulham as 26 of boroughs with the least number of cases of criminal damage
• 527 total reported drug related crimes and 2.62 total drug related crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Hammersmith & Fulham as 26 of boroughs with the least number of drug related crimes
• 656 total reported robberies and 3.26 total robberies per 1k of the population, ranking Hammersmith & Fulham as 21 of boroughs with the least number of robberies
• 383 total reported sexual offences and 1.90 total sexual offences per 1k of the population, ranking Hammersmith & Fulham as 26 of boroughs with the least number of sexual offences
• 9,439 total reported thefts and 46.87 total thefts per 1k of the population, ranking Hammersmith & Fulham as 27 of boroughs with the least number of thefts
• 5,308 total reported violent crimes and 26.35 total violent crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Hammersmith & Fulham as 28 of boroughs with the least number of violent crimes

What public transport options does Hammersmith & Fulham have?

Hammersmith and Fulham has a variety of public transport options, making it easy to get around the area for residents and visitors.

There are several tube lines that serve the borough, including the District Line, Circle Line, Central Line, Hammersmith & City Line, and Piccadilly Line. These tube lines provide easy access to other parts of London, with stations including Hammersmith, Fulham Broadway, Parsons Green, and Shepherd’s Bush.

In addition to the tube, there are several overground rail links that serve the borough, including the West London Line and the North London Line. These lines provide connections to areas such as Clapham Junction, Richmond, and Stratford.

There are also numerous bus routes that run throughout the borough, connecting residents to other areas of London. These buses include both local routes within the borough, as well as routes that run to neighbouring areas such as Kensington, Chelsea, and Notting Hill.

Finally, Hammersmith and Fulham is a cycle-friendly borough, with a range of cycle routes and infrastructure in place to encourage more people to travel by bike, including a section of the Thames Path.

What places are in Hammersmith & Fulham?

Some of the key places in the borough include:

• Hammersmith – This bustling town centre is known for its excellent transport links, shopping, and entertainment options.
• Fulham – This upmarket area is known for its elegant Georgian architecture, designer boutiques, and high-end restaurants.
• Shepherds Bush – This diverse neighbourhood is known for its lively street markets, world-class shopping at the Westfield London shopping centre, and excellent transport links.
• White City – This up-and-coming area is home to the BBC’s former headquarters, which has been transformed into a vibrant new creative hub known as White City Place.
• Parsons Green – This leafy residential area is known for its charming Georgian and Victorian homes, as well as Parsons Green Park.
• Sands End – This small but growing area is known for its excellent gastropubs and artisanal food shops.

Other areas in the borough include West Kensington, Barons Court, Munster Village and Brook Green.

What is Hammersmith & Fulham famous for?

Hammersmith & Fulham is famous for its cultural landmarks, entertainment venues, and prime location along the River Thames. Some specific things Hammersmith and Fulham are known for include:

1. Hammersmith Apollo (now named Eventim Apollo) – A famous music venue that has hosted many iconic acts over the years.
2. Fulham Football Club – One of the oldest and most beloved football clubs in London.
3. Shepherd’s Bush Empire – Another famous music venue with a rich history and impressive roster of past performers.
4. Riverside Studios – A hub for the arts in the area, offering a range of theatre productions, cinema screenings, and other events.
5. Westfield Shopping Centre – One of the largest and most popular shopping destinations in the city, with a wide range of shops, restaurants, and entertainment options.
6. The River Thames – The borough is located along the famous River Thames, which provides a stunning backdrop for walks, runs, and bike rides.
7. The Olympia Exhibition Centre – A historic exhibition venue that hosts a range of events throughout the year, including trade shows, concerts, and more.
8. The Harwood Arms – A popular gastropub in Fulham that has won numerous awards for its food and drink offerings.
9. Fulham Palace – A historic palace that was once the residence of the Bishop of London, and now serves as a museum and event venue.
10. Ravenscourt Park – A beautiful green space in Hammersmith that offers a range of recreational activities, including tennis courts, a paddling pool, and a café.
11. Stamford Bridge – Chelsea FC’s stadium, which sits within the borough, next to the border with the borough of Kensington and Chelsea.
12. The Queen’s Club – A prestigious tennis club that hosts the annual Aegon Championships tournament.

What boroughs are next to Hammersmith & Fulham?

Hammersmith & Fulham is bordered by several other boroughs:

• The borough of Brent is to the north
• The borough of Kensington & Chelsea is to the east
• The borough of Wandsworth is to the south
• The borough of Richmond upon Thames is to the southwest
• The borough of Hounslow is to the west
• The borough of Ealing is to the west