Hounslow is a borough situated in the west of London, close to Heathrow Airport and the River Thames. It encompasses several areas, including Chiswick, Brentford and Isleworth, and is known for its cultural diversity, historical landmarks like Syon House, and excellent transport links to other parts of the city. This guide will provide you with all the information you need, whether you’re living, visiting or investing in Hounslow. It includes the latest data from official government sources.
What’s it like to live in Hounslow?
The London Borough of Hounslow offers a varied living experience with its diverse population, rich history, and range of amenities. The cost of living varies across the borough, with some areas being more expensive than others.
Residents have access to a wide range of amenities throughout the borough, with each area offering its own unique mix of shops, restaurants, and open spaces. Transport options are also abundant, with several train stations and bus routes connecting the borough to other parts of London, plus Heathrow Airport, which is situated to the west of the borough. This proximity to the airport does mean noise pollution can be an issue that impacts residents in the area.
Schools in the borough are a mix of state-run and independent schools, with many receiving positive Ofsted ratings. Notable schools include The Green School for Girls and the independent schools of St Paul’s School and Godolphin and Latymer School.
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 Hounslow?
Properties in Hounslow on average cost £445,246.00, ranking the borough as the 9 most affordable borough in London, according to data from HM Land Registry.
Buying a property in Hounslow is typically less expensive than the London average, though it does vary area-to-area.
How much does it cost to rent in Hounslow?
According to data from the ONS:
- A studio costs on average £1,107 per month to rent which ranks 19 as the most affordable borough in London
- A one bedroom property costs on average £1,392 per month to rent which ranks 19 as the most affordable borough in London
- A two bedroom property costs on average £1,676 per month to rent which ranks 16 as the most affordable borough in London
- A three bedroom property costs on average £2,061 per month to rent which ranks 14 as the most affordable borough in London
- A four or more bedroom property costs on average £3,073 per month to rent which ranks 19 as the most affordable borough in London
How many people live in Hounslow?
According to the latest data from the Ministry of Housing, it has 105000 in total, ranking 21 of London boroughs by number of dwellings.
According to data from the ONS:
- 25.3% of households are owned outright
- 27.3% of households are being bought with a mortgage
- 22.8% of households are rented from the local authority of housing association
- 22.8% of households are privately rented
Is Hounslow 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:
- Hounslow ranks 2 of 32 boroughs in terms of life satisfaction (i.e. ‘how satisfied are you with your life?’)
- Hounslow ranks 3 of 32 boroughs in terms of ‘worthwhile’ (i.e. ‘to what extent do you feel things you do in your life are worthwhile?’)
- Hounslow ranks 4 of 32 boroughs in terms of happiness (i.e. ‘how happy did you feel yesterday?’)
- Hounslow ranks 18 of 32 boroughs in terms of anxiousness (i.e. ‘how anxious did you feel yesterday?’)
What schools are there in Hounslow and are they good?
In total Hounslow has 92 schools, which are broken down into:
- 53 state primary schools
- 20 state secondary schools
- 13 independent schools
For a breakdown of all schools in the area and their latest ratings, search Ofsted’s reports.
Is Hounslow polluted?
According to data from the GLA and TFL Air Quality:
- Hounslow ranks 19 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest NO2 concentration
- Hounslow ranks 12 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest PM2 concentration
- Hounslow ranks 18 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest PM10 concentration
What is the employment rate in Hounslow?
The employment rate in Hounslow is 73.5% which ranks 20 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 Hounslow a wealthy area?
The average income in Hounslow is £45,400 according to data from HMRC. This ranks 20 of London’s boroughs (ranked by highest average income).
Hounslow is considered a mixed-income area with some parts being more affluent than others. Chiswick, located in the east of the borough, is known for its expensive properties, high-end shops, and restaurants, making it one of the more affluent areas of the borough.
Other areas within the borough, such as Feltham and Hanworth, are more affordable and offer a range of housing options for families and young professionals.
Is Hounslow a religious area?
Like the rest of London, Hounslow has a mix of cultures and religions, and in particular it has large Hindu, Sikh and Muslim populations. According to the ONS:
- 38.5% of the resident population identifies as Christian
- 15.1% of the resident population identifies as Muslim
- 14.5% of the resident population identifies as Hindu
- 6.1% of the resident population identifies as Sikh
- 0.0% of the resident population identifies as Jewish
- 0.0% of the resident population do not identify as religious
How large is Hounslow?
Hounslow is 56 km2, making it the 10th largest borough in London.
Its population is estimated as 289,358 according to data from the GLA, ranking it 19 as the most populous borough.
Its population per km2 is 5,169, ranking it 22 as the most populous per km2 borough.
Is Hounslow safe?
According to data from the Metropolitan Police Service, in the last two years there were:
- 20,440 total reported crimes and 70.64 total crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Hounslow as 22 of boroughs with the least total number of crimes
- 1,054 total reported burglaries and 3.64 total burglaries per 1k of the population, ranking Hounslow as 17 of boroughs with the least number of burglaries
- 1,390 total reported cases of criminal damage and 4.80 total cases of criminal damage per 1k of the population, ranking Hounslow as 25 of boroughs with the least number of cases of criminal damage
- 557 total reported drug related crimes and 1.92 total drug related crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Hounslow as 14 of boroughs with the least number of drug related crimes
- 486 total reported robberies and 1.68 total robberies per 1k of the population, ranking Hounslow as 6 of boroughs with the least number of robberies
- 374 total reported sexual offences and 1.29 total sexual offences per 1k of the population, ranking Hounslow as 12 of boroughs with the least number of sexual offences
- 9,954 total reported thefts and 34.40 total thefts per 1k of the population, ranking Hounslow as 22 of boroughs with the least number of thefts
- 6,268 total reported violent crimes and 21.66 total violent crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Hounslow as 22 of boroughs with the least number of violent crimes
What public transport options does Hounslow have?
Hounslow has various public transport links for travel to and from the borough. There are several tube stations located within the borough, including Hounslow West, Hounslow Central, Hounslow East, and Osterley, all of which are on the Piccadilly Line, providing direct access to central London and Heathrow Airport. The stations of Turnham Green and Stamford Brook also sit just inside the borough’s northeast border, which are serviced by the Circle and District lines, as well as the Piccadilly line in the case of Turnham Green.
Hounslow also has several overground stations, such as Brentford and Syon Lane, which connect to Clapham Junction, Richmond, and Waterloo. Additionally, there are several National Rail stations, including Feltham and Isleworth, which provide direct links to other parts of London.
Bus routes in the borough are also plentiful, with several routes connecting the borough to other parts of London. Notable routes include the 237, which connects Hounslow to Shepherd’s Bush, and the 267, which connects Hammersmith to Fulwell.
Finally, the M4 motorway runs through the borough, providing direct access to Heathrow Airport and central London, plus several major roads, such as the A30, A316, and A312.
What places are in Hounslow?
There are several distinct areas in the borough of Hounslow, each with their own unique characteristics and attractions. This includes:
- Chiswick – an affluent area with a high street full of high-end shops and restaurants.
- Brentford – a mix of residential and commercial properties, located on the banks of the River Thames.
- Feltham – a largely residential area with a diverse population and a mix of housing options.
- Hounslow – the largest town in the borough, with a busy high street and good transport links to other parts of London.
- Isleworth – a historic area with a range of properties, from period homes to new-build developments.
- Osterley – a suburban area with plenty of green spaces, including the National Trust-owned Osterley Park.
- Cranford – a diverse area with good transport links to Heathrow Airport and other parts of London.
- Hanworth – a suburban area with a mix of housing options, including 1930s semi-detached homes and newer developments.
What is Hounslow famous for?
Although a lot of people associate Heathrow airport with Hounslow, the airport actually sits just outside of the borough in neighbouring Hillingdon. However, Hounslow is known for several things, including:
- Hounslow Urban Farm – a popular attraction with a variety of farm animals and activities for children.
- Syon House and Gardens – a historic stately home and park located in Isleworth.
- Gunnersbury Park – a large park with a mansion house and a variety of recreational facilities.
- Chiswick House and Gardens – an 18th-century villa and gardens in Chiswick, with plenty of historic and architectural significance.
- Osterley House and Park – a National Trust property with a grand house and extensive grounds.
- Brentford FC – a professional football club based in Brentford.
- Cranford Park – a historic park with plenty of natural and cultural significance.
- The Paul Robeson Theatre – a small but popular venue for performances and events.
- The Treaty Centre – a shopping centre in the heart of Hounslow.
- The Watermans Arts Centre – a cultural hub offering a range of performances, exhibitions, and screenings.
- Hounslow Heath – a former military training ground now used for recreational activities.
- The Musical Museum – a museum dedicated to the history of mechanical musical instruments, located in Brentford.
What boroughs are next to Hounslow?
Hounslow is bordered by several other boroughs:
- The London Borough of Hillingdon is to the north
- The London Borough of Ealing is to the north
- The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham is to the east
- The London Borough of Richmond upon Thames is to the south
Hounslow also borders the county of Surrey.