Religion in Cambridge
Cambridge is strongly secular while retaining a substantial Christian community and a broad range of minority faiths. In the 2021 Census, 44.7% of residents reported no religion, 35.2% identified as Christian and 5.1% as Muslim. Hinduism accounted for 2.3%, Buddhism 1.1%, Judaism 0.7%, other religions 0.8% and Sikhism 0.2%; 9.8% did not answer the voluntary religion question. Cambridge's no-religion share rose substantially from 37.8% in 2011, while Christian affiliation fell from 44.8%. Its Hindu and Buddhist shares are notably above the England averages.
Religion Percentages in Cambridge
Census 2011 to 2021 Demographic Trends
Community & Cultural Highlights
- In the 2021 Census, no religion was the largest response in Cambridge at 44.7%, followed by Christianity at 35.2%.
- Cambridge has an active Muslim community representing 5.1% of usual residents, and a Hindu population of 2.3% (above the England national average of 1.8%).
- Buddhist residents represent 1.1% of Cambridge residents, more than double the national average of 0.5%, supported by the Cambridge Buddhist Centre on Newmarket Road.
- Cambridge Central Mosque on Mill Road is widely celebrated as Europe's first purpose-built eco-mosque, featuring sustainable timber architecture, zero carbon operational emissions, solar panels, and rainwater harvesting.
- No religion increased from 37.8% in 2011 to 44.7% in 2021, while Christian affiliation fell from 44.8% to 35.2%.
- Islam increased from 4.0% to 5.1%, while Hindu affiliation rose from 1.7% to 2.3%.
- Cambridge's 9.8% not-answered figure is comparatively high. It should not be combined with no religion: respondents who did not answer the voluntary question form a separate category.
- Cambridge had a higher Hindu share than the England average in 2021: 2.3% compared with 1.8%. Its Buddhist share of 1.1% was more than twice the England average of 0.5%.
- Cambridge Central Mosque provides active daily worship, youth and community services, nikah and janaza facilities, and regular guided educational tours.
- The city's current Sikh worship centre is Cambridge Gurdwara at 150 Arbury Road, not a Mill Road or city-centre institution.
- Cambridge's Jewish community has both Reform and Orthodox institutions: Beth Shalom on Auckland Road and Cambridge Traditional Jewish Congregation on Thompson's Lane.
- King's College Chapel and Great St Mary's are both active Christian institutions, but they are different types of institution: King's is the college chapel of King's College, while Great St Mary's is the historic University Church and an active parish church.
- Cambridge's high no-religion rate should be understood alongside its substantial international and university population. ONS notes that relocation for work or education and changes in the age structure can influence local religious profiles.
- With two major universities and a global research cluster, Cambridge combines high rates of non-religious residents with diverse international faith communities.
Community Geographic Distributions in Cambridge
Cambridge's Muslim community is distributed across the city, with the Cambridge Central Mosque on Mill Road providing a major institutional centre and student and international communities contributing to the city's Muslim population.
Cambridge has a comparatively high Hindu population share for England, reflecting both established residents and substantial international and university-linked communities.
Cambridge's Jewish community is supported by both Reform and Orthodox congregations and has especially strong connections with the university population.
Cambridge has a relatively prominent Buddhist population for an English local authority, supported by the Cambridge Buddhist Centre and university-linked Buddhist groups.
Cambridge's Sikh population is comparatively small at 0.2%, but the city has an established gurdwara and an active Sikh community.
Cambridge Religious Landscape & Demographic Analysis
According to official figures from the ONS Census 2021, Religion, England and Wales, Cambridge (total population: 145,700 across East of England) exhibits a distinct religious profile. Christianity represents 35.2% of the population. A substantial 44.7% of residents report having no religious affiliation. The Muslim community comprises 5.1% of local residents. Hindu residents account for 2.3%. Buddhist residents represent 1.1%.
Local Places of Worship & Community Centers
Spiritual and community life in Cambridge is supported by recognized places of worship across various neighborhoods, including Cambridge Central Mosque (Mosque and Islamic Centre located in Mill Road), King's College Chapel (Christian Chapel located in King's Parade), Great St Mary's Church (Anglican University Church located in Senate House Hill / King's Parade), Beth Shalom Reform Synagogue (Reform Jewish Synagogue located in Auckland Road), Cambridge Traditional Jewish Congregation (Orthodox Jewish Congregation located in Thompson's Lane), Cambridge Gurdwara (Sikh Gurdwara located in Arbury), and Cambridge Buddhist Centre (Buddhist Centre located in Newmarket Road).
Neighborhood & Diaspora Insights in Cambridge
In the 2021 Census, no religion was the largest response in Cambridge at 44.7%, followed by Christianity at 35.2%. Cambridge has an active Muslim community representing 5.1% of usual residents, and a Hindu population of 2.3% (above the England national average of 1.8%). Buddhist residents represent 1.1% of Cambridge residents, more than double the national average of 0.5%, supported by the Cambridge Buddhist Centre on Newmarket Road. Cambridge Central Mosque on Mill Road is widely celebrated as Europe's first purpose-built eco-mosque, featuring sustainable timber architecture, zero carbon operational emissions, solar panels, and rainwater harvesting. No religion increased from 37.8% in 2011 to 44.7% in 2021, while Christian affiliation fell from 44.8% to 35.2%. Islam increased from 4.0% to 5.1%, while Hindu affiliation rose from 1.7% to 2.3%. Cambridge's 9.8% not-answered figure is comparatively high. It should not be combined with no religion: respondents who did not answer the voluntary question form a separate category. Cambridge had a higher Hindu share than the England average in 2021: 2.3% compared with 1.8%. Its Buddhist share of 1.1% was more than twice the England average of 0.5%. Cambridge Central Mosque provides active daily worship, youth and community services, nikah and janaza facilities, and regular guided educational tours. The city's current Sikh worship centre is Cambridge Gurdwara at 150 Arbury Road, not a Mill Road or city-centre institution. Cambridge's Jewish community has both Reform and Orthodox institutions: Beth Shalom on Auckland Road and Cambridge Traditional Jewish Congregation on Thompson's Lane. King's College Chapel and Great St Mary's are both active Christian institutions, but they are different types of institution: King's is the college chapel of King's College, while Great St Mary's is the historic University Church and an active parish church. Cambridge's high no-religion rate should be understood alongside its substantial international and university population. ONS notes that relocation for work or education and changes in the age structure can influence local religious profiles. With two major universities and a global research cluster, Cambridge combines high rates of non-religious residents with diverse international faith communities.
Practical Living & Community Guidance in Cambridge
- •The religion question was voluntary.
- •Census religion statistics measure affiliation or identification rather than frequency of religious practice.
- •Cambridge has both a Reform synagogue at Auckland Road and an Orthodox congregation at Thompson's Lane.
- •Cambridge Central Mosque is currently operating at 309-313 Mill Road and provides prayer, education, community and visitor services.
- •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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