Merton Area Guide [Updated with 2024 Data]

What’s it like to live in Merton?

Living in Merton can offer a variety of benefits, with Wimbledon in particular being a sought after area to live. Overall house prices in the borough are inline with the London average, though Wimbledon and parts of Colliers Wood can be significantly more expensive.

The borough offers a range of amenities, including shops, restaurants, parks, and leisure facilities, catering to a diverse range of interests. In terms of shopping, Wimbledon town centre is home to a number of popular shops, including Centre Court Shopping Centre, which features a mix of high street and designer stores. Other shopping areas in the borough include Mitcham town centre and Colliers Wood. Wimbledon is also known for its upmarket dining options, with several Michelin-starred restaurants in the area. However, there are also plenty of more affordable options available, including cafes, pubs, and fast food outlets.

There is plenty of green space in the borough: Wimbledon Common covers over 1,100 acres and is a popular spot for outdoor activities. Other parks in the area include Morden Hall Park, which features a rose garden, wetlands, and a water mill, Cannizaro Park, which has formal gardens and a tennis court, plus Mitcham Common, an expansive space with woods and pond. 

Merton has a range of leisure facilities, including sports centres, swimming pools, and gyms. Wimbledon Leisure Centre and Spa is a popular facility in the area, with a swimming pool, gym, and spa. The borough is also home to several golf courses, including the Wimbledon Park Golf Club and the Royal Wimbledon Golf Club.

There are various public transport options in the borough, including underground stations served by the Northern and District lines, rail stations connecting to hub stations in central London, trams which connect to Croydon and Beckenham, and bus services throughout the area.

For families, Merton offers a range of highly-regarded schools, both state and private, many of which have achieved outstanding Ofsted ratings.

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 Merton?

Properties in Merton on average cost £538,411.00, ranking the borough as the 21 most affordable borough in London, according to data from HM Land Registry. 

Areas like Wimbledon and Coombe Hill are known for being some of the most expensive parts of the borough, with high average house prices. However, other areas in Merton, such as Mitcham and Colliers Wood, may be considered more affordable.

How much does it cost to rent in Merton?

According to data from the ONS:

• A studio costs on average £918 per month to rent which ranks 5 as the most affordable borough in London
• A one bedroom property costs on average £1,363 per month to rent which ranks 16 as the most affordable borough in London
• A two bedroom property costs on average £1,664 per month to rent which ranks 15 as the most affordable borough in London
• A three bedroom property costs on average £2,177 per month to rent which ranks 20 as the most affordable borough in London
• A four or more bedroom property costs on average £2,997 per month to rent which ranks 18 as the most affordable borough in London

How many people live in Merton?

According to the latest data from the Ministry of Housing, it has 86000 in total, ranking 29 of London boroughs by number of dwellings.

According to data from the ONS:

• 30.1% of households are owned outright
• 29.9% of households are being bought with a mortgage
• 10.0% of households are rented from the local authority of housing association
• 10.0% of households are privately rented

Is Merton 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:

• Merton ranks 3 of 32 boroughs in terms of life satisfaction (i.e. ‘how satisfied are you with your life?’)
• Merton ranks 2 of 32 boroughs in terms of ‘worthwhile’ (i.e. ‘to what extent do you feel things you do in your life are worthwhile?’)
• Merton ranks 12 of 32 boroughs in terms of happiness (i.e. ‘how happy did you feel yesterday?’)
• Merton ranks 17 of 32 boroughs in terms of anxiousness (i.e. ‘how anxious did you feel yesterday?’)

What schools are there in Merton and are they good?

In total Merton has 73 schools, which are broken down into:

• 44 state primary schools
• 9 state secondary schools
• 16 independent schools

There are many primary schools in Merton, including state-funded schools and private schools. Some of the popular state-funded primary schools include Wimbledon Chase Primary School, Dundonald Primary School, and Poplar Primary School. There are also several independent primary schools in the area, such as The Study Preparatory School.

There are also a range of secondary schools in Merton, including state-funded schools and academies. Some of the popular state-funded secondary schools include Wimbledon College, Ricards Lodge High School, and Rutlish School. Ursuline High School is a Roman Catholic school for girls that is also popular in the area.

In addition, Merton is home to a number of further education institutions, including Wimbledon College of Arts, which is part of the University of the Arts London.

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

Is Merton polluted?

According to data from the GLA and TFL Air Quality:

• Merton ranks 13 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest NO2 concentration
• Merton ranks 15 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest PM2 concentration
• Merton ranks 11 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest PM10 concentration

What is the employment rate in Merton?

The employment rate in Merton is 83.8% which ranks 3 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 Merton a wealthy area?

The average income in Merton is £63,000 according to data from HMRC. This ranks 8 of London’s boroughs (ranked by highest average income). 

In general, areas like Wimbledon and Coombe Hill are known for being some of the wealthiest parts of the borough, with large houses and desirable properties. Wimbledon in particular is home to some of the most expensive properties in London.

However, there are also areas in Merton that are less affluent, such as Mitcham and parts of Colliers Wood. These areas tend to have more social housing and lower average incomes than some of the more affluent areas.

Is Merton a religious area?

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

• 51.7% of the resident population identifies as Christian
• 6.1% of the resident population identifies as Muslim
• 5.3% 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
• 3.5% of the resident population do not identify as religious

How large is Merton?

Merton is 37.6 km2, making it the 17th largest borough in London.

Its population is estimated as 216,662 according to data from the GLA, ranking it 27 as the most populous borough.

Its population per km2 is 5,758, ranking it 19 as the most populous per km2 borough.

Is Merton safe?

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

• 9,576 total reported crimes and 44.20 total crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Merton as 5 of boroughs with the least total number of crimes
• 464 total reported burglaries and 2.14 total burglaries per 1k of the population, ranking Merton as 4 of boroughs with the least number of burglaries
• 668 total reported cases of criminal damage and 3.08 total cases of criminal damage per 1k of the population, ranking Merton as 4 of boroughs with the least number of cases of criminal damage
• 302 total reported drug related crimes and 1.39 total drug related crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Merton as 7 of boroughs with the least number of drug related crimes
• 419 total reported robberies and 1.93 total robberies per 1k of the population, ranking Merton as 10 of boroughs with the least number of robberies
• 211 total reported sexual offences and 0.97 total sexual offences per 1k of the population, ranking Merton as 6 of boroughs with the least number of sexual offences
• 4,620 total reported thefts and 21.32 total thefts per 1k of the population, ranking Merton as 4 of boroughs with the least number of thefts
• 2,746 total reported violent crimes and 12.67 total violent crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Merton as 4 of boroughs with the least number of violent crimes

What public transport options does Merton have?

There are numerous public transport options available in Merton, with connections to other parts of London via tube, overground, rail, tram, and bus services.

Merton is served by the Northern Line, with stations at Colliers Wood, South Wimbledon, and Morden, providing quick access to central London, with connections to major stations such as King’s Cross, Leicester Square, and London Bridge. The District line also stretches to Wimbledon and Wimbledon Park stations.

There are several rail stations in the borough, including Wimbledon, Raynes Park, Motspur Park, and Morden South. These stations are served by several rail companies, including South Western Railway and Thameslink. These rail services connect Merton to other areas of London and the South East, with direct trains to London Waterloo, London Bridge, and Gatwick Airport.

Merton is also home to the Tramlink, which has stops at Wimbledon, Dundonald Road, and Merton Park. This tram system connects Wimbledon with other areas in south London, including Croydon and Beckenham Junction.

Finally, Merton has an extensive network of bus routes that cover the entire borough and beyond. The most popular routes include the 57, which runs between Kingston and Tooting, the 200, which connects Raynes Park with Mitcham, and the 163, which provides a direct link between Wimbledon and Morden. In addition, there are night buses that operate in the borough, including the N87, which runs from Aldwych to Kingston.

What places are in Merton?

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

• Wimbledon – This area is known for the Wimbledon Tennis Championships and has a mix of residential and commercial properties, with a variety of shops, restaurants, and bars.
• Morden – Morden is a more residential area, with several parks and green spaces, and is well connected to other parts of London via the Northern line.
• Mitcham – Located in the eastern part of the borough, Mitcham has a diverse population and a mix of residential and commercial areas, with a variety of shops, restaurants, and pubs.
• Colliers Wood – This area has undergone significant redevelopment in recent years and has a mix of residential and commercial properties, with a large shopping centre and easy access to the Northern line.
• Raynes Park – Located in the western part of the borough, Raynes Park is a largely residential area with good transport links and a variety of shops, restaurants, and cafes.
• Merton Park – This area is known for its beautiful tree-lined streets and Victorian architecture, and has a mix of residential and commercial properties.

What is Merton famous for?

Merton is a popular destination with Londonders and visitors, and is known for several cultural and social attractions, such as:

1. Wimbledon Tennis Championships – The world-famous tennis tournament is held annually at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon.
2. Merton Abbey Mills – A historical site that has been transformed into a popular destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment.
3. Morden Hall Park – A National Trust property that includes a variety of gardens, a river, and a restored watermill.
4. Mitcham Common – A large open space that provides opportunities for walking, cycling, and wildlife watching.
5. Deen City Farm – A community farm that offers educational programs and activities for children and adults.
6. The Wandle Trail – A scenic walking and cycling route that follows the River Wandle through Merton.
7. The New Wimbledon Theatre – An Edwardian theatre that hosts a variety of productions, from plays to musicals.
8. Wimbledon Village – An affluent area with a range of boutique shops, cafes, and restaurants.
9. Merton Priory – A mediaeval monastery that played an important role in the history of the borough.
10. AFC Wimbledon – The borough is home to the football club AFC Wimbledon, which was founded by fans after the original Wimbledon FC relocated to Milton Keynes.

What boroughs are next to Merton?

Merton is bordered by several other boroughs:

• The London Borough of Wandsworth is to the north
• The London Borough of Lambeth is to the northeast
• The London Borough of Croydon is to the east
• The London Borough of Sutton is to the south
• The London Borough of Kingston upon Thames is to the west