The London Borough of Hillingdon is located in the most westerly part of Greater London, and shares a border with four counties: Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Surrey. It is the second largest London borough in land area and due to its proximity to the Home counties, it’s known for green spaces, including the expansive Colne Valley Regional Park and Ruislip Woods (home of Ruislip Lido), as well as its close proximity to Heathrow Airport, which is a major employer in the area. This guide will provide you with all the information you need, whether you’re living, visiting or investing in Hillingdon. It includes the latest data from official government sources.
What’s it like to live in Hillingdon?
Hillingdon can offer affordable housing relative to other boroughs in London, good transport links, and plenty of amenities and green spaces.
Generally house prices (for buyers and renters) are cheaper in Hillingdon than other boroughs, due in part to its location on the outskirts of the capital. The borough has a mix of urban and suburban areas, with some neighbourhoods known for their leafy residential streets and others for their busy high streets and shopping centres.
Transport options are plentiful, with several major roads running through the borough, including the M4 and M25 motorways, and a number of London Underground and Overground stations providing access to central London and other parts of the city. Hillingdon is also home to Heathrow Airport, making it a convenient location for those who travel frequently. However, one consequence of this is the noise pollution from overhead flights, though Hillingdon is spared from being directly under flight paths.
The borough has a number of well-regarded primary and secondary schools, both state and independent, plus there are several colleges and universities in the area, including Brunel University London and Uxbridge College.
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 Hillingdon?
Properties in Hillingdon on average cost £449,725.00, ranking the borough as the 10 most affordable borough in London, according to data from HM Land Registry.
Buying a property in Hillingdon is typically less expensive than the London average.
How much does it cost to rent in Hillingdon?
The cost of renting in Hillingdon is below the London average, though rent prices vary depending on the specific area. According to data from the ONS:
- A studio costs on average £988 per month to rent which ranks 9 as the most affordable borough in London
- A one bedroom property costs on average £1,119 per month to rent which ranks 5 as the most affordable borough in London
- A two bedroom property costs on average £1,408 per month to rent which ranks 6 as the most affordable borough in London
- A three bedroom property costs on average £1,695 per month to rent which ranks 4 as the most affordable borough in London
- A four or more bedroom property costs on average £2,326 per month to rent which ranks 7 as the most affordable borough in London
How many people live in Hillingdon?
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:
- 36.1% of households are owned outright
- 32.5% of households are being bought with a mortgage
- 14.8% of households are rented from the local authority of housing association
- 14.8% of households are privately rented
Is Hillingdon 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:
- Hillingdon ranks 6 of 32 boroughs in terms of life satisfaction (i.e. ‘how satisfied are you with your life?’)
- Hillingdon ranks 15 of 32 boroughs in terms of ‘worthwhile’ (i.e. ‘to what extent do you feel things you do in your life are worthwhile?’)
- Hillingdon ranks 6 of 32 boroughs in terms of happiness (i.e. ‘how happy did you feel yesterday?’)
- Hillingdon ranks 15 of 32 boroughs in terms of anxiousness (i.e. ‘how anxious did you feel yesterday?’)
What schools are there in Hillingdon and are they good?
In total Hillingdon has 111 schools, which are broken down into:
- 69 state primary schools
- 22 state secondary schools
- 9 independent schools
For a breakdown of all schools in the area and their latest ratings, search Ofsted’s reports.
Is Hillingdon polluted?
According to data from the GLA and TFL Air Quality:
- Hillingdon ranks 9 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest NO2 concentration
- Hillingdon ranks 3 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest PM2 concentration
- Hillingdon ranks 4 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest PM10 concentration
What is the employment rate in Hillingdon?
The employment rate in Hillingdon is 70.3% which ranks 27 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 Hillingdon a wealthy area?
The average income in Hillingdon is £41,600 according to data from HMRC. This ranks 26 of London’s boroughs (ranked by highest average income).
Hillingdon has a mix of both affluent and more affordable areas, with some neighbourhoods known for their high-end properties and others offering more affordable housing options.
Is Hillingdon a religious area?
Like the rest of London, Hillingdon has a mix of cultures and religions, and in particular it has large Hindu, Sikh and Muslim populations. According to the ONS:
- 41.3% of the resident population identifies as Christian
- 12.6% of the resident population identifies as Muslim
- 13.7% of the resident population identifies as Hindu
- 7.4% of the resident population identifies as Sikh
- 1.1% of the resident population identifies as Jewish
- 1.3% of the resident population do not identify as religious
How large is Hillingdon?
Hillingdon is 115.7 km2, making it the 2th largest borough in London.
Its population is estimated as 322,492 according to data from the GLA, ranking it 13 as the most populous borough.
Its population per km2 is 2,787, ranking it 30 as the most populous per km2 borough.
Is Hillingdon safe?
According to data from the Metropolitan Police Service, in the last two years there were:
- 20,147 total reported crimes and 62.47 total crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Hillingdon as 18 of boroughs with the least total number of crimes
- 789 total reported burglaries and 2.45 total burglaries per 1k of the population, ranking Hillingdon as 6 of boroughs with the least number of burglaries
- 1,497 total reported cases of criminal damage and 4.64 total cases of criminal damage per 1k of the population, ranking Hillingdon as 23 of boroughs with the least number of cases of criminal damage
- 610 total reported drug related crimes and 1.89 total drug related crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Hillingdon as 13 of boroughs with the least number of drug related crimes
- 556 total reported robberies and 1.72 total robberies per 1k of the population, ranking Hillingdon as 7 of boroughs with the least number of robberies
- 423 total reported sexual offences and 1.31 total sexual offences per 1k of the population, ranking Hillingdon as 13 of boroughs with the least number of sexual offences
- 9,995 total reported thefts and 30.99 total thefts per 1k of the population, ranking Hillingdon as 19 of boroughs with the least number of thefts
- 6,006 total reported violent crimes and 18.62 total violent crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Hillingdon as 17 of boroughs with the least number of violent crimes
What public transport options does Hillingdon have?
The London Borough of Hillingdon has a range of public transport options, including several London Underground and Overground stations, as well as rail and bus routes.
The borough is served by the Metropolitan and Piccadilly lines of the London Underground, with stations including Uxbridge, Hillingdon, Ruislip, and West Ruislip providing connections to central London and other parts of the city. The Central line also stretches to Ruislip Gardens and West Ruislip. Finally, the newly opened Elizabeth line serves the areas with services running through Hayes and Harlington and West Drayton. Eventually the Elizabeth Line will run much further west to Reading.
The borough has several rail stations, including Hayes and Harlington, West Drayton, and South Ruislip, providing access to areas such as Paddington, as well as destinations outside of London.
A number of bus routes also operate in the borough, connecting residents to nearby areas such as Harrow, Hounslow, and Slough, as well as providing local connections. Some of the major bus routes in the borough include the 427, 607, and U1.
In terms of connections to the road network, Hillingdon is well-connected, due in part to the presence of Heathrow airport within its borders, plus its position next to four of the Home counties. The M4 motorway passes through the southern part of the borough, providing connections to central London, as well as to the west of England, including Bristol and South Wales. The M25 motorway also runs to the west of the borough, connecting it to other parts of London and the south-east of England.
What places are in Hillingdon?
There are several distinct areas in the borough of Hillingdon, each with their own unique characteristics and attractions. This includes:
- Uxbridge: A busy town centre with a range of shops, restaurants, and amenities, as well as good transport links to central London and beyond.
- Hayes: A diverse area with a mix of residential and commercial properties, as well as good transport links and several shopping centres.
- Ruislip: A suburban area with a village-like feel, known for its green spaces, historic buildings, and good transport links.
- West Drayton: A rapidly developing area with a mix of residential and commercial properties, as well as good transport links to central London and Heathrow Airport.
- Northwood: A leafy residential area with several parks and highly regarded schools.
- Hillingdon Heath: A small suburb with a mix of residential and commercial properties, as well as easy access to major roads and transport links.
- Yiewsley: A residential area with a mix of housing types.
- Ickenham: A suburban area known for its historic buildings, green spaces, and good transport links.
What is Hillingdon famous for?
Hillingdon isn’t an area that typically gets much of the spotlight, but it has several cultural landmarks, venues and events, plus an abundance of green spaces. This includes:
- Brunel University: A well-regarded public research university located in Uxbridge.
- RAF Northolt: A Royal Air Force station located in Northolt, which has been in operation since 1915.
- Heathrow Airport: One of the world’s busiest airports, situated in the south of the borough.
- Battle of Britain Bunker: A historic site located in Uxbridge, which served as the headquarters for the Battle of Britain during World War II.
- Denham Film Studios: A historic film studio located in Denham, which has been used for many famous films including James Bond and Harry Potter.
- The Grand Union Canal: A picturesque canal that runs through the borough, providing a popular spot for walking, cycling, and boating.
- Ruislip Lido: A large artificial lake and recreational area located in Ruislip, with a beach, playground, and water sports activities.
- Colne Valley Regional Park: A large park located in the western part of the borough, which offers a range of outdoor activities including walking, cycling, and fishing.
- The Pavilions shopping centre: A large indoor shopping centre located in Uxbridge, with a range of shops, restaurants, and a cinema.
- Battle of Britain Memorial Flight: An annual air show held at RAF Northolt, featuring displays by historic aircraft including Spitfires and Hurricanes.
- Northwood Headquarters: A historic military headquarters located in Northwood, which serves as the home of the British Armed Forces Joint Forces Command.
- The Polish War Memorial: A large monument located in Ruislip, commemorating the Polish soldiers who fought in World War II.
- The Malt Shovel: A historic pub located in Ickenham, which dates back to the 16th century and is known for its traditional atmosphere and food.
- Hillingdon Cycle Circuit: A purpose-built cycle track located in Minet Country Park, providing a safe and challenging environment for cyclists.
What boroughs are next to Hillingdon?
Hillingdon is bordered by several other boroughs:
- The London Borough of Harrow is to the east
- The London Borough of Ealing is to the east
- The London Borough of Hounslow is to the east
Hillingdon is unique in that it borders four counties: Hertfordshire to the north, Buckinghamshire to the west, Berkshire to the west and Surrey to the south.
