Religion in Birmingham
Birmingham is one of England's most religiously diverse major cities. In the 2021 Census, Christianity was the largest religious affiliation at 34.0%, closely followed by Islam at 29.9%. A further 24.1% reported no religion. Sikhism accounted for 2.9%, Hinduism 1.9%, Buddhism 0.4%, Judaism 0.1%, and other religions 0.6%; 6.1% did not answer the voluntary religion question. The Muslim population has grown particularly strongly since 2011, while the proportion identifying as Christian has fallen substantially.
Religion Percentages in Birmingham
Census 2011 to 2021 Demographic Trends
Community & Cultural Highlights
- Birmingham's 2021 religious profile is unusually balanced for a major English city: 34.0% identified as Christian, 29.9% as Muslim and 24.1% as having no religion.
- Islam experienced Birmingham's largest major religious-group increase between 2011 and 2021, rising from 21.8% to 29.9%, an increase of about 8 percentage points.
- Christian affiliation fell from 46.1% in 2011 to 34.0% in 2021, while the number and proportion reporting no religion also increased.
- Birmingham has one of the UK's largest and most established Sikh communities, particularly associated with Handsworth and the Soho Road area.
- Birmingham's major Eid gathering takes place at Small Heath Park, not Cannon Hill Park. The event has historically attracted exceptionally large crowds and has been described as one of Europe's largest Eid celebrations.
- Small Heath Park hosts one of Europe's largest Eid prayer gatherings, while Cannon Hill Park is home to the popular annual Birmingham Eid Mela and cultural celebrations.
- Handsworth and the Soho Road corridor are particularly important to Birmingham's Sikh and wider South Asian heritage, while Sparkbrook, Small Heath and neighbouring districts have strong Muslim and South Asian community identities.
Community Geographic Distributions in Birmingham
Muslims form a particularly large share of Birmingham's population, with major concentrations across inner east and south-east Birmingham.
Birmingham has a long-established Sikh community, with Handsworth and the Soho Road area particularly important for Sikh religious, cultural and community life.
Hindu communities and temples are distributed across south and east Birmingham, with several long-established mandirs and cultural organisations.
Christian communities remain widespread across the city and include Anglican, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Pentecostal and other traditions.
Birmingham has a smaller but longstanding Jewish community supported by synagogues and community institutions.
Birmingham Religious Landscape & Demographic Analysis
According to official figures from the ONS Census 2021, Religion, England and Wales, Birmingham (total population: 1,144,900 across West Midlands) exhibits a distinct religious profile. Christianity represents 34% of the population. A substantial 24.1% of residents report having no religious affiliation. The Muslim community comprises 29.9% of local residents. Hindu residents account for 1.9%. The Sikh population represents 2.9%.
Local Places of Worship & Community Centers
Spiritual and community life in Birmingham is supported by recognized places of worship across various neighborhoods, including Birmingham Cathedral (St Philip's) (Anglican Cathedral located in City Centre), Birmingham Central Mosque (Mosque located in Balsall Heath / Highgate, B12), Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha Gurdwara (Sikh Gurdwara located in Handsworth, Soho Road), Shree Laxmi Narayan Mandir (Hindu Temple located in Tyseley, Birmingham), Shree Geeta Bhawan (Hindu Temple located in Birmingham B19), and Green Lane Masjid & Community Centre (Mosque and Community Centre located in Small Heath).
Neighborhood & Diaspora Insights in Birmingham
Birmingham's 2021 religious profile is unusually balanced for a major English city: 34.0% identified as Christian, 29.9% as Muslim and 24.1% as having no religion. Islam experienced Birmingham's largest major religious-group increase between 2011 and 2021, rising from 21.8% to 29.9%, an increase of about 8 percentage points. Christian affiliation fell from 46.1% in 2011 to 34.0% in 2021, while the number and proportion reporting no religion also increased. Birmingham has one of the UK's largest and most established Sikh communities, particularly associated with Handsworth and the Soho Road area. Birmingham's major Eid gathering takes place at Small Heath Park, not Cannon Hill Park. The event has historically attracted exceptionally large crowds and has been described as one of Europe's largest Eid celebrations. Small Heath Park hosts one of Europe's largest Eid prayer gatherings, while Cannon Hill Park is home to the popular annual Birmingham Eid Mela and cultural celebrations. Handsworth and the Soho Road corridor are particularly important to Birmingham's Sikh and wider South Asian heritage, while Sparkbrook, Small Heath and neighbouring districts have strong Muslim and South Asian community identities.
Practical Living & Community Guidance in Birmingham
- •The 1,144,900 population figure is the 2021 Census population for Birmingham local authority.
- •The 2021 Census remains the latest full census dataset for Birmingham's religion profile.
- •The 24.1% reporting no religion must not be combined with the 6.1% who did not answer the religion question.
- •A Census religion response indicates the religion a person identifies or connects with; it does not establish whether they practise that religion.
- •Small Heath Park is the appropriate location for Birmingham's major large-scale Eid gathering. Cannon Hill Park is associated with the Birmingham Mela/Eid Mela rather than that principal Eid prayer event.
- •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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