Newham Area Guide [Updated with 2024 Data]

What’s it like to live in Newham?

Living in the borough of Newham has merits as well as potential drawbacks. In terms of cost of living, the borough is generally more affordable compared to other parts of London. Housing options range from council flats and social housing to privately owned homes, with rental prices also varying based on location and property size. Areas such as Stratford and Canning Town have undergone significant redevelopment in recent years, with more new property developments on offer, and increasing property values.

Newham has a number of parks, museums, and cultural attractions. In the northwest of the borough is the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, which was built for the 2012 Olympics and is now a popular destination for sports and leisure activities. The park features a range of facilities, including the London Stadium, which is home to West Ham United Football Club, as well as a velodrome, an aquatics centre, and several playgrounds.

The area is home to Westfield Stratford City, one of the largest shopping centres in Europe, which offers a variety of shopping, dining, and entertainment options. In terms of cultural attractions, Newham has the Discover Children’s Story Centre, plus the Theatre Royal Stratford East, which hosts a range of plays, musicals, and other performances throughout the year.

While the borough has made significant progress in recent years, it still faces challenges in terms of social and economic inequality, with pockets of poverty and unemployment in certain areas. Trust for London reports that the borough scores worse than the London average for several poverty indicators.

Newham is served by many tube and train stations, as well as bus routes, providing easy access to London’s centre for commuters. This includes the new Elizabeth line which stops at four stations in the borough.

Like any urban environment, crime is an issue in Newham, and the borough has higher than average crime rates in some areas.

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 Newham?

Properties in Newham on average cost £396,662.00, ranking the borough as the 4 most affordable borough in London, according to data from HM Land Registry. 

Newham is generally one of the most affordable boroughs in London. However, like any borough, there are areas that are more expensive to buy property in compared to others.

Areas such as Stratford, West Ham, and Canning Town have seen significant redevelopment in recent years due to the 2012 Olympics and other regeneration efforts.These areas have seen an increase in property values and new, more expensive property developments have become available.

On the other hand, areas such as East Ham, Manor Park, and Plaistow are typically more affordable, with a diverse range of housing options, including flats, terraced houses, and larger family homes.

How much does it cost to rent in Newham?

According to data from the ONS:

• A studio costs on average £1,196 per month to rent which ranks 24 as the most affordable borough in London
• A one bedroom property costs on average £1,414 per month to rent which ranks 20 as the most affordable borough in London
• A two bedroom property costs on average £1,698 per month to rent which ranks 17 as the most affordable borough in London
• A three bedroom property costs on average £1,978 per month to rent which ranks 13 as the most affordable borough in London
• A four or more bedroom property costs on average £2,269 per month to rent which ranks 4 as the most affordable borough in London

How many people live in Newham?

According to the latest data from the Ministry of Housing, it has 122000 in total, ranking 13 of London boroughs by number of dwellings.

According to data from the ONS:

• 15.7% of households are owned outright
• 24.5% of households are being bought with a mortgage
• 24.3% of households are rented from the local authority of housing association
• 24.3% of households are privately rented

Is Newham 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:

• Newham ranks 17 of 32 boroughs in terms of life satisfaction (i.e. ‘how satisfied are you with your life?’)
• Newham ranks 20 of 32 boroughs in terms of ‘worthwhile’ (i.e. ‘to what extent do you feel things you do in your life are worthwhile?’)
• Newham ranks 15 of 32 boroughs in terms of happiness (i.e. ‘how happy did you feel yesterday?’)
• Newham ranks 20 of 32 boroughs in terms of anxiousness (i.e. ‘how anxious did you feel yesterday?’)

What schools are there in Newham and are they good?

In total Newham has 109 schools, which are broken down into:

• 66 state primary schools
• 23 state secondary schools
• 8 independent schools

Some of the primary schools in the area include Brampton Primary School, Portway Primary School, and St. Helen’s Catholic Primary School. For secondary education, there are several options such as Brampton Manor Academy, Cumberland School, and Forest Gate Community School. There are also several colleges and universities in the area, including Newham College and the University of East London. Additionally, Newham is home to several specialist schools, such as the Royal Docks Academy, which focuses on science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) education.

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

Is Newham polluted?

According to data from the GLA and TFL Air Quality:

• Newham ranks 22 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest NO2 concentration
• Newham ranks 23 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest PM2 concentration
• Newham ranks 24 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest PM10 concentration

What is the employment rate in Newham?

The employment rate in Newham is 76.1% which ranks 15 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 Newham a wealthy area?

The average income in Newham is £36,100 according to data from HMRC. This ranks 31 of London’s boroughs (ranked by highest average income). 

The borough of Newham is not generally considered a wealthy area. It is located in the historically working-class east of London and is one of the more economically deprived areas of the city. However, there is widespread regeneration in the area, which is attracting property buyers and further investment.

Is Newham a religious area?

Like the rest of London, Newham has a mix of cultures and religions, though the borough is home to a very large Muslim population compared to other areas. According to the ONS:

• 38.4% of the resident population identifies as Christian
• 42.1% of the resident population identifies as Muslim
• 4.6% of the resident population identifies as Hindu
• 1.8% of the resident population identifies as Sikh
• 0.0% of the resident population identifies as Jewish
• 2.1% of the resident population do not identify as religious

How large is Newham?

Newham is 36.2 km2, making it the 19th largest borough in London.

Its population is estimated as 370,004 according to data from the GLA, ranking it 4 as the most populous borough.

Its population per km2 is 10,222, ranking it 10 as the most populous per km2 borough.

Is Newham safe?

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

• 29,308 total reported crimes and 79.21 total crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Newham as 24 of boroughs with the least total number of crimes
• 1,422 total reported burglaries and 3.84 total burglaries per 1k of the population, ranking Newham as 21 of boroughs with the least number of burglaries
• 1,610 total reported cases of criminal damage and 4.35 total cases of criminal damage per 1k of the population, ranking Newham as 18 of boroughs with the least number of cases of criminal damage
• 1,048 total reported drug related crimes and 2.83 total drug related crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Newham as 27 of boroughs with the least number of drug related crimes
• 1,352 total reported robberies and 3.65 total robberies per 1k of the population, ranking Newham as 24 of boroughs with the least number of robberies
• 649 total reported sexual offences and 1.75 total sexual offences per 1k of the population, ranking Newham as 24 of boroughs with the least number of sexual offences
• 15,614 total reported thefts and 42.20 total thefts per 1k of the population, ranking Newham as 26 of boroughs with the least number of thefts
• 7,268 total reported violent crimes and 19.64 total violent crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Newham as 20 of boroughs with the least number of violent crimes

What public transport options does Newham have?

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

Newham is served by several tube lines, including the Central, Jubilee, District, Circle, Hammersmith and City and Elizabeth lines, which provide quick access to central London and other parts of the city. Stratford is the main hub station in the borough, with three underground lines serving it.

Newham is also served by several overground services, including the London Overground and the Docklands Light Railway (DLR). The London Overground runs through several stations in Newham, including Stratford and West Ham, providing connections to other parts of London. The DLR is particularly useful for getting around the Docklands area, including Canary Wharf.

Newham is well-connected by rail, with several major train stations located within the borough. These include Stratford, which provides connections to national rail services and the Eurostar, as well as Maryland and Forest Gate stations.

Finally, Newham has an extensive bus network, with several major routes running through the borough. Some notable bus routes include the 25, which runs from Ilford to Oxford Circus; the 69, which runs from Canning Town to Walthamstow; and the 238, which runs from Barking to Stratford. Newham is also served by several night bus routes, making it easy to get around at all hours of the day and night.

What places are in Newham?

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

• Stratford: A bustling hub of transportation, shopping, and entertainment, Stratford is home to the Olympic Park and Westfield shopping centre.
• East Ham: With a large South Asian community and a range of shops and restaurants, East Ham is known for its diverse cultural offerings.
• Canning Town: Once a centre of industrial activity, Canning Town is now undergoing regeneration and is home to a variety of housing developments.
• Custom House: Located near the Royal Docks, Custom House is a rapidly developing area that is seeing new investment in housing and infrastructure.
• Forest Gate: With a mix of Victorian and Edwardian homes, Forest Gate is a popular residential area.
• Manor Park: Home to various green spaces, Manor Park is a quiet residential area that offers easy access to central London.
• Plaistow: A traditional East End neighbourhood, Plaistow has a lively high street and a strong community spirit.
• Silvertown: This historic area is undergoing a major transformation, with new housing and commercial developments springing up along the waterfront.

What is Newham famous for?

Newham is is known for several cultural and social attractions that are popular with residents and visitors alike, such as:

1. The London Stadium: This impressive stadium is home to West Ham United Football Club and was the main venue for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
2. The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park: This sprawling park spans over 560 acres and features a range of attractions, including the ArcelorMittal Orbit, a giant slide, and a beautiful lake.
3. Green Street: This bustling shopping street is famous for its diverse range of shops, restaurants, and markets, which offer a taste of the local culture.
4. Westfield Stratford City: This enormous shopping centre is one of the largest in Europe and is home to over 250 stores, as well as restaurants, a cinema, and a bowling alley.
5. Stratford International Station: This modern railway station provides access to high-speed trains that connect London to continental Europe via the Channel Tunnel.
6. Abbey Mills Pumping Station: This Victorian building is a masterpiece of industrial engineering and has been featured in several films and TV shows.
7. The Brick Lane Music Hall: This lively venue is a popular spot for live music and theatre performances.
8. The Excel Centre: This vast exhibition centre hosts a range of events throughout the year, from trade shows and conferences to concerts and sporting events.
9. The River Lea: This picturesque river runs through Newham and provides a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.
10. The Royal Docks: These historic docks were once the busiest in the world, and they played a key role in the development of London as a global city.
11. The Theatre Royal Stratford East: This historic theatre has been entertaining audiences since the 19th century and is renowned for its diverse range of productions.
12. The Old Spotted Dog Ground: This small football stadium is home to Clapton Football Club and is famous for its friendly atmosphere and community spirit.
13. The Tate & Lyle sugar factory: This iconic factory has been a fixture of the East End since the 19th century and is a symbol of the area’s rich industrial heritage.
14. London City Airport: a small centrally located international airport in London that primarily serves business travellers

What boroughs are next to Newham?

Newham is bordered by several other boroughs:

• The London Borough of Hackney is to the northwest
• The London Borough of Waltham Forest is to the north
• The London Borough of Redbridge is to the north
• The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham is to the east
• The London Borough of Greenwich is to the south
• The London Borough of Tower Hamlets is to the west