Kensington and Chelsea Area Guide [Updated with 2024 Data]

What’s it like to live in Kensington and Chelsea?

The borough of Kensington and Chelsea has a lot to offer, though the cost of living in the area can be extremely high, with property prices being some of the highest in London.

One of the most appealing aspects of living in Kensington and Chelsea is the area’s history and charm. The borough boasts some of the most elegant and iconic buildings in the city, including Kensington Palace, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Royal Albert Hall.

In terms of amenities, the borough is known for its high-end shops and restaurants, with numerous designer boutiques, gourmet food markets, and Michelin-starred restaurants.. The area is also home to several green spaces, including Holland Park and Kensington Gardens, plus Hyde Park just next to the borough.

Being centrally located, Kensington and Chelsea is very well-connected to London’s tube network, with the Circle, District, Hammersmith and City, Piccadilly and Central lines stopping at stations within the area. There are also several bus routes and bike rental stations throughout the borough.

When it comes to schools, the borough has several highly regarded state and private schools. Some popular schools in the area include Holland Park School, Kensington Aldridge Academy, and the Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle.

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 Kensington and Chelsea?

Properties in Kensington and Chelsea on average cost £1,154,639.00, ranking the borough as the 32 most affordable borough in London, according to data from HM Land Registry. 

The area is one of the most affluent in London and is known for its high property prices. The average price for a property in the borough is well above the London average, with many properties costing millions of pounds.

How much does it cost to rent in Kensington and Chelsea?

According to data from the ONS:

• A studio costs on average £1,608 per month to rent which ranks 31 as the most affordable borough in London
• A one bedroom property costs on average £2,499 per month to rent which ranks 32 as the most affordable borough in London
• A two bedroom property costs on average £3,276 per month to rent which ranks 32 as the most affordable borough in London
• A three bedroom property costs on average £5,159 per month to rent which ranks 32 as the most affordable borough in London
• A four or more bedroom property costs on average £7,819 per month to rent which ranks 32 as the most affordable borough in London

How many people live in Kensington and Chelsea?

According to the latest data from the Ministry of Housing, it has 89000 in total, ranking 27 of London boroughs by number of dwellings.

According to data from the ONS:

• 28.9% of households are owned outright
• 12.0% of households are being bought with a mortgage
• 31.7% of households are rented from the local authority of housing association
• 31.7% of households are privately rented

Is Kensington and Chelsea 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:

• Kensington and Chelsea ranks 31 of 32 boroughs in terms of life satisfaction (i.e. ‘how satisfied are you with your life?’)
• Kensington and Chelsea ranks 32 of 32 boroughs in terms of ‘worthwhile’ (i.e. ‘to what extent do you feel things you do in your life are worthwhile?’)
• Kensington and Chelsea ranks 23 of 32 boroughs in terms of happiness (i.e. ‘how happy did you feel yesterday?’)
• Kensington and Chelsea ranks 32 of 32 boroughs in terms of anxiousness (i.e. ‘how anxious did you feel yesterday?’)

What schools are there in Kensington and Chelsea and are they good?

In total Kensington and Chelsea has 78 schools, which are broken down into:

• 27 state primary schools
• 6 state secondary schools
• 38 independent schools

Some of the borough’s primary schools include Fox Primary School, St Thomas’ CofE Primary School, and Thomas’s Battersea. For secondary education, there are several highly regarded schools such as Holland Park School, The Kensington Aldridge Academy, and Chelsea Academy.

In addition to state schools, there are also several prestigious private schools in the area, including the independent boarding school, The Godolphin and Latymer School, and the French school, Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle.

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

Is Kensington and Chelsea polluted?

According to data from the GLA and TFL Air Quality:

• Kensington and Chelsea ranks 30 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest NO2 concentration
• Kensington and Chelsea ranks 30 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest PM2 concentration
• Kensington and Chelsea ranks 30 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest PM10 concentration

What is the employment rate in Kensington and Chelsea?

The employment rate in Kensington and Chelsea is 69.8% which ranks 30 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 Kensington and Chelsea a wealthy area?

The average income in Kensington and Chelsea is £208,000 according to data from HMRC. This ranks 1 of London’s boroughs (ranked by highest average income). 

Kensington and Chelsea is widely regarded as one of the wealthiest areas in London, and indeed, the UK. The borough is home to many affluent residents, including high-net-worth individuals, celebrities, and business leaders.

Is Kensington and Chelsea a religious area?

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

• 48.9% of the resident population identifies as Christian
• 10.3% of the resident population identifies as Muslim
• 1.7% of the resident population identifies as Hindu
• 0.0% of the resident population identifies as Sikh
• 4.7% of the resident population identifies as Jewish
• 6.0% of the resident population do not identify as religious

How large is Kensington and Chelsea?

Kensington and Chelsea is 12.1 km2, making it the 32th largest borough in London.

Its population is estimated as 162,446 according to data from the GLA, ranking it 32 as the most populous borough.

Its population per km2 is 13,399, ranking it 4 as the most populous per km2 borough.

Is Kensington and Chelsea safe?

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

• 21,413 total reported crimes and 131.82 total crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Kensington and Chelsea as 30 of boroughs with the least total number of crimes
• 1,113 total reported burglaries and 6.85 total burglaries per 1k of the population, ranking Kensington and Chelsea as 30 of boroughs with the least number of burglaries
• 910 total reported cases of criminal damage and 5.60 total cases of criminal damage per 1k of the population, ranking Kensington and Chelsea as 30 of boroughs with the least number of cases of criminal damage
• 395 total reported drug related crimes and 2.43 total drug related crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Kensington and Chelsea as 19 of boroughs with the least number of drug related crimes
• 595 total reported robberies and 3.66 total robberies per 1k of the population, ranking Kensington and Chelsea as 25 of boroughs with the least number of robberies
• 398 total reported sexual offences and 2.45 total sexual offences per 1k of the population, ranking Kensington and Chelsea as 30 of boroughs with the least number of sexual offences
• 13,431 total reported thefts and 82.68 total thefts per 1k of the population, ranking Kensington and Chelsea as 30 of boroughs with the least number of thefts
• 4,337 total reported violent crimes and 26.70 total violent crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Kensington and Chelsea as 30 of boroughs with the least number of violent crimes

What public transport options does Kensington and Chelsea have?

Kensington and Chelsea is well connected to the rest of London, with numerous public transport options available.

There are several tube stations in the borough, including:

• Earl’s Court (District and Piccadilly lines)
• Gloucester Road (Circle, District, and Piccadilly lines)
• High Street Kensington (Circle and District lines)
• Holland Park (Central line)
• Kensington (Olympia) (District line)
• Knightsbridge (Piccadilly line)
• Latimer Road (Circle, Hammersmith and City lines)
• Notting Hill Gate (Central, Circle, and District lines)
• Sloane Square (Circle and District lines)
• South Kensington (Circle, District, and Piccadilly lines)
• West Brompton (District line)

In addition to the tube, there are also overground services available at West Brompton and Kensington Olympia stations. These services connect to destinations such as Clapham Junction and Stratford.

For those who prefer to travel by bus, there are numerous routes that pass through the borough, including:

• 9 – runs from Aldwych to Hammersmith
• 10 – runs from Hammersmith to King’s Cross
• 27 – runs from Chalk Farm to Turnham Green
• 28 – runs from Kensal Rise to Wandsworth
• 49 – runs from White City to Clapham Junction
• 211 – runs from Waterloo to Hammersmith
• 328 – runs from Chelsea to Golders Green
• C1 – runs from Victoria to White City

Finally, both Heathrow and Gatwick airports are easily accessible from the borough, with the Piccadilly line providing direct connections to all terminals of Heathrow, and nearby Victoria station providing fast trains to Gatwick. 

What places are in Kensington and Chelsea?

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

• Kensington – An affluent area known for its grand period properties, designer boutiques, and high-end restaurants.
• Chelsea – A trendy area with a mix of upscale shops, bars, and restaurants, as well as cultural attractions such as the Saatchi Gallery.
• Holland Park – A leafy residential area with large houses and access to the beautiful Holland Park itself.
• Notting Hill – A fashionable area with a lively atmosphere, a famous carnival, and a mix of independent shops and restaurants.
• Earl’s Court – A bustling residential and commercial area with excellent transport links and a mix of shops, cafes, and restaurants.
• South Kensington – A popular area for tourists and locals alike, known for its museums, galleries, and grand architecture.
• West Brompton – A quieter residential area with a mix of large houses and flats and access to Brompton Cemetery and Fulham Cemetery.

What is Kensington and Chelsea famous for?

Kensington and Chelsea is famous for many things, including its wealthy and fashionable residents, its stunning period architecture, and its rich cultural heritage. It is also home to many world-famous attractions that draw visitors from around the globe, such as:

1. Kensington Palace – The official residence of several members of the British royal family, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
2. Notting Hill Carnival – A vibrant annual celebration of Caribbean culture that takes place in the streets of Notting Hill.
3. Portobello Road Market – A famous street market in Notting Hill that sells antiques, clothing, and food.
4. Harrods – A world-famous luxury department store in Knightsbridge.
5. The Saatchi Gallery – A contemporary art gallery in Chelsea that exhibits emerging artists and hosts innovative exhibitions.
6. The Natural History Museum – A museum in South Kensington that houses a vast collection of specimens and artefacts from the natural world.
7. The Victoria and Albert Museum – A museum in South Kensington that specialises in decorative arts and design.
8. King’s Road – A trendy shopping street in Chelsea that is known for its designer boutiques and fashionable shops.
9. Chelsea Flower Show – An annual event that showcases stunning displays of flowers and plants in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
10. The Design Museum – A museum in Kensington that explores the history and impact of design on society.
11. Holland Park – A beautiful park in Holland Park that features woodlands, gardens, and a stunning Japanese-style Kyoto Garden.
12. The Ivy Chelsea Garden – A popular restaurant in Chelsea that is known for its beautiful garden setting and celebrity clientele.
13. Kensington High Street – A bustling shopping street in Kensington that offers a mix of high-end shops, restaurants, and cafes.

What boroughs are next to Kensington and Chelsea?

Kensington and Chelsea is bordered by several other boroughs:

• The London Borough of Brent is to the north
• The London Borough of City of Westminster is to the east
• The London Borough of Wandsworth is to the south
• The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham is to the west