Islington Area Guide (Based on Actual 2023 Data)

What’s it like to live in Islington?

Living in the borough of Islington can offer a very different experience depending on the area, though generally the borough is close to London’s centre and has a lot of what you’d expect from a big city environment. The cost of living can be quite high, particularly in areas such as Angel and Highbury, but there are also more affordable areas such as Finsbury Park and Holloway.

There are plenty of amenities on offer, including a wide range of shops, restaurants, and bars, as well as numerous parks and green spaces such as Highbury Fields (plus nearby Finsbury park and Clissold park). There are also several gyms, swimming pools, and sports facilities throughout the borough.

Transport links are generally good, with several underground stations (including Angel, Finsbury Park, Farringdon and Holloway Road) and numerous bus routes connecting the area to the rest of London. There are also several Overground stations, providing easy access to other parts of the city.

The borough of Islington has a good range of schools, with several highly respected primary and secondary schools, including William Tyndale Primary School, St Mary Magdalene Academy, and Highbury Grove School. There are also several independent schools in the area, including The City of London School for Girls and The North London Collegiate School.

Here is 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 Islington?

Properties in Islington on average cost £645,134.00, ranking the borough as the 27 most affordable borough in London, according to data from HM Land Registry. 

Buying a property in Islington is typically more expensive than the London average, though it does vary area-to-area. Highbury, Canonbury and Angel are highly sought after areas and are typically much more expensive, whereas areas such as Holloway and Archway are usually more affordable, in the context of London house prices.

How much does it cost to rent in Islington?

According to data from the ONS:

• A studio costs on average £1,274 per month to rent which ranks 28 as the most affordable borough in London
• A one bedroom property costs on average £1,821 per month to rent which ranks 30 as the most affordable borough in London
• A two bedroom property costs on average £2,296 per month to rent which ranks 29 as the most affordable borough in London
• A three bedroom property costs on average £2,938 per month to rent which ranks 28 as the most affordable borough in London
• A four or more bedroom property costs on average £4,047 per month to rent which ranks 28 as the most affordable borough in London

How many people live in Islington?

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:

• 22.6% of households are owned outright
• 18.3% of households are being bought with a mortgage
• 38.3% of households are rented from the local authority of housing association
• 38.3% of households are privately rented

Is Islington 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:

• Islington ranks 23 of 32 boroughs in terms of life satisfaction (i.e. ‘how satisfied are you with your life?’)
• Islington ranks 30 of 32 boroughs in terms of ‘worthwhile’ (i.e. ‘to what extent do you feel things you do in your life are worthwhile?’)
• Islington ranks 29 of 32 boroughs in terms of happiness (i.e. ‘how happy did you feel yesterday?’)
• Islington ranks 23 of 32 boroughs in terms of anxiousness (i.e. ‘how anxious did you feel yesterday?’)

What schools are there in Islington and are they good?

In total Islington has 78 schools, which are broken down into:

• 46 state primary schools
• 11 state secondary schools
• 8 independent schools

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

Is Islington polluted?

According to data from the GLA and TFL Air Quality:

• Islington ranks 28 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest NO2 concentration
• Islington ranks 29 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest PM2 concentration
• Islington ranks 28 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest PM10 concentration

What is the employment rate in Islington?

The employment rate in Islington is 77.6% which ranks 11 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 Islington a wealthy area?

The average income in Islington is £76,600 according to data from HMRC. This ranks 7 of London’s boroughs (ranked by highest average income). 

The borough of Islington is generally considered to be a relatively affluent area, particularly in comparison to some other parts of London. The area is known for its high property prices, expensive restaurants and bars, and boutique shops.

However, it’s worth noting that while there are certainly wealthy pockets of the borough, there are also areas that are more affordable and diverse. For example, areas such as Archway and Holloway tend to be more affordable and attract a more diverse range of residents.

Is Islington a religious area?

Like the rest of London, Islington has a mix of cultures and religions. According to the ONS:

• 38.4% of the resident population identifies as Christian
• 7.8% 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
• 5.0% of the resident population do not identify as religious

How large is Islington?

Islington is 14.9 km2, making it the 31th largest borough in London.

Its population is estimated as 245,839 according to data from the GLA, ranking it 25 as the most populous borough.

Its population per km2 is 16,547, ranking it 2 as the most populous per km2 borough.

Is Islington safe?

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

• 25,592 total reported crimes and 104.10 total crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Islington as 29 of boroughs with the least total number of crimes
• 1,460 total reported burglaries and 5.94 total burglaries per 1k of the population, ranking Islington as 28 of boroughs with the least number of burglaries
• 1,247 total reported cases of criminal damage and 5.07 total cases of criminal damage per 1k of the population, ranking Islington as 28 of boroughs with the least number of cases of criminal damage
• 627 total reported drug related crimes and 2.55 total drug related crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Islington as 22 of boroughs with the least number of drug related crimes
• 1,285 total reported robberies and 5.23 total robberies per 1k of the population, ranking Islington as 29 of boroughs with the least number of robberies
• 471 total reported sexual offences and 1.92 total sexual offences per 1k of the population, ranking Islington as 27 of boroughs with the least number of sexual offences
• 13,469 total reported thefts and 54.79 total thefts per 1k of the population, ranking Islington as 29 of boroughs with the least number of thefts
• 6,481 total reported violent crimes and 26.36 total violent crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Islington as 29 of boroughs with the least number of violent crimes

What public transport options does Islington have?

As it is situated close to London’s centre, Islington is well-connected to the rest of the city by various public transport options.

The borough has several Tube stations that provide access to the London Underground network. These stations include Archway, Tufnell Park, Angel and Old Street (which lives just inside Islington’s boundaries) on the Northern Line, Holloway Road and Arsenal on the Piccadilly Line, and Highbury & Islington on the Victoria Line. Farringdon station, situated in the south of the borough, is serviced by the Metropolitan, Hammersmith and City, Circle and Elizabeth lines.

In addition to the Tube, Islington is also served by overground services. The Overground line runs through the borough, stopping at stations such as Highbury & Islington, Caledonian Road and Barnsbury, Canonbury, Upper Holloway and Crouch Hill. These stations provide links to other parts of London, as well as connecting Islington to other areas of North London such as Hackney and Tottenham.

Highbury and Islington, Essex Road, Drayton Park, Finsbury Park, Farringdon and Old Street also provide rail services to destinations including Moorgate and Kings Cross, as well as areas outside of London such as Stevenage, Luton, Welwyn Garden City and Cambridge. Kings Cross Station, which is located just outside the borough boundary, provides access to national rail services, as well as the Eurostar service to Paris and Brussels.

Finally, Islington has a range of bus services that operate throughout the borough. Some of the key bus routes that serve Islington include the 4, 19, 30, 43, and 73. These routes provide access to various parts of the borough, as well as connecting Islington to other parts of London.

What places are in Islington?

There are several distinct areas in the borough of Islington, each with their own unique characteristics and attractions. This includes:

• Angel: Known for its trendy bars, restaurants, and independent shops.
• Finsbury Park: A vibrant and diverse neighbourhood with a large park at its heart. The area is split between the boroughs of Islington, Haringey and Hackney.
• Highbury: A quiet residential area with a strong sense of community, Highbury is home to many families and boasts several beautiful green spaces.
• Holloway: A bustling area with a wide range of shops, restaurants, and bars, Holloway is also home to the Emirates Stadium, the home of Arsenal Football Club.
• Canonbury: A picturesque neighbourhood with charming Georgian architecture and leafy streets, Canonbury is a sought-after residential area.
• Barnsbury: A quiet and affluent residential area with attractive period properties, Barnsbury is known for its peaceful streets and community spirit.
• Caledonian Road: A busy and diverse area with a mix of shops, restaurants, and bars, Caledonian Road is a popular destination for students and young professionals.
• Islington: The heart of the borough, Islington is a vibrant and diverse area with a rich cultural heritage, boasting many theatres, music venues, and galleries.
• Tufnell Park: A peaceful residential area with good transport links and easy access to Hampstead Heath, Tufnell Park is popular with families and young professionals.
• Archway: A lively and diverse area situated close to Highgate and the popular Parkland Walk.

What is Islington famous for?

Islington is a popular borough and is well-known and well-visited for a number of reasons. Some of its attractions include:

1. The Emirates Stadium: Home to Arsenal Football Club, the Emirates Stadium is one of the most iconic landmarks in Islington.
2. Upper Street: Known as the “High Street of the North”, Upper Street is a bustling thoroughfare lined with shops, restaurants, and bars.
3. The Almeida Theatre: A renowned theatre located in the heart of Islington, the Almeida Theatre has hosted many acclaimed productions over the years.
4. Chapel Market: A lively street market that has been trading since the 19th century.
5. Camden Passage: A charming pedestrianised street lined with antique shops, vintage boutiques, and independent cafes.
6. The Business Design Centre: A distinctive Grade II listed building that hosts a variety of exhibitions, conferences, and events throughout the year.
7. The London Metropolitan University: A leading institution of higher education that is located in Holloway.
8. The Screen on the Green: A historic cinema that has been showing films since 1913. Now operated as an Everyman cinema.
9. The Union Chapel: A stunning Victorian church that has been converted into a music venue.
10. The Park Theatre: A contemporary theatre that showcases new writing and innovative productions.
11. The King’s Head Theatre: A historic pub theatre that has been entertaining audiences since the 1970s.
12. The Angel Comedy Club: A renowned comedy venue that hosts free shows every night of the week.
13. The Islington Assembly Hall: A grand Edwardian venue that has hosted concerts, weddings, and political rallies over the years.

What boroughs are next to Islington?

Islington is bordered by several other boroughs:

• The London Borough of Haringey is to the north
• The London Borough of Hackney is to the east
• The City of London is to the south
• The London Borough of Camden is to the west