Religion in Barnet
Barnet has one of the most distinctive religious profiles in London, with the borough's Jewish population particularly prominent (14.5%). In the 2021 Census, 36.6% of residents identified as Christian, 20.2% reported no religion, 14.5% identified as Jewish and 12.2% as Muslim. Hinduism accounted for 5.7%, Buddhism 1.1%, Sikhism 0.4% and other religions 1.3%; 8.0% did not answer the voluntary religion question. Barnet had the highest Jewish population proportion of any London borough and the second-highest Hindu population proportion in London after Harrow.
Religion Percentages in Barnet
Census 2011 to 2021 Demographic Trends
Community & Cultural Highlights
- Barnet recorded the highest proportion of Jewish residents of any London borough in the 2021 Census: 14.5% (56,616 residents).
- Across England and Wales, Barnet has the second-highest Jewish percentage among all local authorities, behind only adjacent Hertsmere (17.0%).
- Christian affiliation fell from 41.2% in 2011 to 36.6% in 2021 (-4.6 percentage points), while No Religion increased from 16.1% to 20.2% (+4.1 percentage points).
- Muslim affiliation rose from 10.3% to 12.2% (+1.9 percentage points, +10,949 residents), making Islam one of the fastest-growing communities in the borough.
- Barnet has the second-highest Hindu proportion in London at 5.7% (22,105 residents), following only Harrow (25.8%).
- The borough's No Religion share of 20.2% is markedly lower than London (27.1%) and England (36.7%), demonstrating that residents in Barnet maintain high levels of active religious affiliation.
- Golders Green, Hendon, Edgware, and Finchley form the historic institutional core of British Jewry, containing dozens of synagogues, yeshivas, kosher grocers, and community welfare hubs.
- Hendon Mosque & Islamic Centre and North Finchley Mosque serve as vital religious and educational pillars for the borough's 47,000+ Muslim residents.
- Barnet Council actively celebrates cultural diversity, organizing official borough Diwali celebrations in partnership with BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir.
Community Geographic Distributions in Barnet
Barnet has the largest Jewish population proportion of any London borough. Jewish community life is particularly concentrated across north-west and north Barnet, with a dense network of synagogues, schools, community organisations, kosher businesses and other institutions.
Barnet's Muslim community is distributed across several northern and north-western neighbourhoods, with mosques and Islamic community organisations in Hendon, Finchley and other parts of the borough.
Barnet has London's second-highest Hindu population proportion after Harrow. Hindu community infrastructure includes the Hindu Cultural Society in Friern Barnet and numerous organisations across the wider north-west London area.
Barnet has a smaller Sikh population than its Jewish, Muslim and Hindu communities, but established Sikh community institutions and activities operate across the borough.
Barnet Religious Landscape & Demographic Analysis
According to official figures from the ONS Census 2021, Religion, England and Wales, Barnet (total population: 389,300 across Greater London) exhibits a distinct religious profile. Christianity represents 36.6% of the population. A substantial 20.2% of residents report having no religious affiliation. The Muslim community comprises 12.2% of local residents. Hindu residents account for 5.7%. The Jewish community accounts for 14.5%. Buddhist residents represent 1.1%.
Local Places of Worship & Community Centers
Spiritual and community life in Barnet is supported by recognized places of worship across various neighborhoods, including Barnet Synagogue (Orthodox Jewish Synagogue located in New Barnet), Edgware United Synagogue (Orthodox Jewish Synagogue located in Edgware), Hendon Mosque and Islamic Centre (Mosque and Islamic Community Centre located in West Hendon), North Finchley Mosque (Mosque and Islamic Community Centre located in North Finchley), Hindu Cultural Society, North London (Hindu Cultural and Religious Centre located in Friern Barnet / North Finchley), and BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London (Hindu Mandir located in Neasden, Brent).
Neighborhood & Diaspora Insights in Barnet
Barnet recorded the highest proportion of Jewish residents of any London borough in the 2021 Census: 14.5% (56,616 residents). Across England and Wales, Barnet has the second-highest Jewish percentage among all local authorities, behind only adjacent Hertsmere (17.0%). Christian affiliation fell from 41.2% in 2011 to 36.6% in 2021 (-4.6 percentage points), while No Religion increased from 16.1% to 20.2% (+4.1 percentage points). Muslim affiliation rose from 10.3% to 12.2% (+1.9 percentage points, +10,949 residents), making Islam one of the fastest-growing communities in the borough. Barnet has the second-highest Hindu proportion in London at 5.7% (22,105 residents), following only Harrow (25.8%). The borough's No Religion share of 20.2% is markedly lower than London (27.1%) and England (36.7%), demonstrating that residents in Barnet maintain high levels of active religious affiliation. Golders Green, Hendon, Edgware, and Finchley form the historic institutional core of British Jewry, containing dozens of synagogues, yeshivas, kosher grocers, and community welfare hubs. Hendon Mosque & Islamic Centre and North Finchley Mosque serve as vital religious and educational pillars for the borough's 47,000+ Muslim residents. Barnet Council actively celebrates cultural diversity, organizing official borough Diwali celebrations in partnership with BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir.
Practical Living & Community Guidance in Barnet
- •The official rounded 2021 Census population is 389,300 (389,344 exact).
- •Barnet has the highest Jewish proportion among all London boroughs; among all local authorities in England and Wales, it ranks second to Hertsmere (17.0%).
- •BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is geographically located in Neasden (Brent), but Barnet Council officially partners with it for borough-wide cultural and faith celebrations.
- •Census religion figures measure self-identified affiliation or cultural belonging rather than active worship attendance or religious observance.
- •The religion question in the UK Census is voluntary; respondents who chose not to answer are recorded separately under 'not answered' and are distinct from 'no religion'.
- •Halal, Kosher, and vegetarian food products are widely accessible in major supermarkets and independent community grocery stores across the city.
- •Under the UK Equality Act 2010, religious belief and practice are protected characteristics against discrimination in workplaces, education, and housing.
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