Religion in Harrow
Harrow has one of the most distinctive religious profiles of any London borough and is the local authority with the highest Hindu population proportion in England and Wales (25.8%). In the 2021 Census, 33.9% of residents identified as Christian, 25.8% as Hindu, 15.9% as Muslim and 10.6% reported no religion. Judaism accounted for 2.8%, Buddhism 1.1%, Sikhism 1.1%, Jainism 2.4% and other religions 2.9%; 5.9% did not answer the voluntary religion question. Harrow's Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Jain communities are exceptionally prominent compared with national averages.
Religion Percentages in Harrow
Census 2011 to 2021 Demographic Trends
Community & Cultural Highlights
- Harrow has the highest proportion of Hindu residents of any local authority in England and Wales, with 25.8% identifying as Hindu in the 2021 Census.
- Christianity is Harrow's largest religious affiliation at 33.9%, followed by Hinduism at 25.8% and Islam at 15.9%, reflecting the borough's exceptional multicultural profile.
- Harrow also recorded 2.8% Jewish residents, 1.1% Sikh, and 1.1% Buddhist, with 10.6% reporting no religion.
- Jainism is an especially important omission from the original profile. Harrow's 2021 Census recorded 2.4% Jain, around 6,246 residents, and Harrow Council identifies the borough as having the highest density of Jains in the UK.
- Christian affiliation fell from 37.3% in 2011 to 33.9% in 2021, while Muslim affiliation increased from 12.5% to 15.9%.
- Hindu affiliation rose from 25.3% to 25.8%, showing that the borough retained its extraordinary Hindu concentration while also experiencing Muslim population growth.
- Jewish affiliation declined from 4.4% to 2.8%, but Harrow still had the eighth-highest Jewish population proportion among local authorities in England and Wales.
- No religion increased only slightly from 9.6% to 10.6%, leaving Harrow with one of the lowest non-religious shares among major English urban local authorities.
- Harrow's religious profile differs sharply from London overall: the borough had 25.8% Hindu compared with 5.1% across London and 15.9% Muslim compared with 15.0% across London.
- The borough's 10.6% no-religion share is far below London's 27.1% and England's 36.7%, making religious affiliation unusually prevalent in Harrow.
- Harrow's religious diversity is broader than Hindu, Muslim, Christian and Jewish communities. Jainism is particularly significant, while Buddhist and Sikh communities are also well established.
- Harrow Council's current religious-education syllabus identifies synagogues in Stanmore and Canons Park, Kenton, Belmont and Pinner, together with Kol Chai Reform and Mosaic Jewish communities.
- The borough contains major Jain institutions including Mahavir Foundation Kenton Derasar, the Digambar Jain temple in Wealdstone and Jain Vishva Bharati London's Peace Centre in Pinner.
- Harrow is also notable for its very large Indian-origin population: the council reports around 28.6% of residents as having Asian-Indian heritage.
- The borough's diversity is institutional as well as demographic, with Hindu mandirs, Jain derasars, synagogues, mosques, gurdwaras and Christian churches distributed across multiple neighbourhoods.
Community Geographic Distributions in Harrow
Harrow has the highest Hindu proportion of any local authority in England and Wales. Hindu community life is particularly visible across Kenton, Wealdstone, Pinner, Rayners Lane and neighbouring north-west London districts.
Harrow's Muslim population is large and distributed across the borough, with mosques, Islamic schools, businesses and community organisations supporting a substantial local Muslim population.
Harrow's Jewish population is concentrated particularly in the north-east and north of the borough. The council identifies Stanmore and Canons Park, Kenton, Belmont, Pinner and Reform/Masorti institutions among the borough's synagogue network.
Harrow has an exceptionally high concentration of Jain residents and institutions. Key centres include Mahavir Foundation Kenton Derasar, the Digambar Jain temple in Wealdstone and Jain Vishva Bharati London in Pinner.
Harrow has an established Sikh community, supported by gurdwaras and community organisations, although its 1.1% Sikh share is substantially smaller than its Hindu, Muslim or Jewish proportions.
Harrow Religious Landscape & Demographic Analysis
According to official figures from the ONS Census 2021, Religion, England and Wales, Harrow (total population: 261,200 across Greater London) exhibits a distinct religious profile. Christianity represents 33.9% of the population. A substantial 10.6% of residents report having no religious affiliation. The Muslim community comprises 15.9% of local residents. Hindu residents account for 25.8%. The Sikh population represents 1.1%. The Jewish community accounts for 2.8%. Buddhist residents represent 1.1%.
Local Places of Worship & Community Centers
Spiritual and community life in Harrow is supported by recognized places of worship across various neighborhoods, including BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London (Neasden Temple) (Hindu Mandir located in Neasden), Shree Kutch Satsang Swaminarayan Temple (Hindu Mandir located in Kenton), Harrow Central Mosque & Masood Islamic Centre (Mosque and Islamic Centre located in Harrow Town Centre), Stanmore and Canons Park Synagogue (Orthodox Jewish Synagogue located in Stanmore), Marlborough Shri Sithi Vinayagar Temple (Hindu Temple located in Marlborough / Nibthwaite Road), Mahavir Foundation Kenton Derasar (Jain Temple / Derasar located in Kenton), and Guru Nanak Gurdwara South Harrow (Sikh Gurdwara located in South Harrow).
Neighborhood & Diaspora Insights in Harrow
Harrow has the highest proportion of Hindu residents of any local authority in England and Wales, with 25.8% identifying as Hindu in the 2021 Census. Christianity is Harrow's largest religious affiliation at 33.9%, followed by Hinduism at 25.8% and Islam at 15.9%, reflecting the borough's exceptional multicultural profile. Harrow also recorded 2.8% Jewish residents, 1.1% Sikh, and 1.1% Buddhist, with 10.6% reporting no religion. Jainism is an especially important omission from the original profile. Harrow's 2021 Census recorded 2.4% Jain, around 6,246 residents, and Harrow Council identifies the borough as having the highest density of Jains in the UK. Christian affiliation fell from 37.3% in 2011 to 33.9% in 2021, while Muslim affiliation increased from 12.5% to 15.9%. Hindu affiliation rose from 25.3% to 25.8%, showing that the borough retained its extraordinary Hindu concentration while also experiencing Muslim population growth. Jewish affiliation declined from 4.4% to 2.8%, but Harrow still had the eighth-highest Jewish population proportion among local authorities in England and Wales. No religion increased only slightly from 9.6% to 10.6%, leaving Harrow with one of the lowest non-religious shares among major English urban local authorities. Harrow's religious profile differs sharply from London overall: the borough had 25.8% Hindu compared with 5.1% across London and 15.9% Muslim compared with 15.0% across London. The borough's 10.6% no-religion share is far below London's 27.1% and England's 36.7%, making religious affiliation unusually prevalent in Harrow. Harrow's religious diversity is broader than Hindu, Muslim, Christian and Jewish communities. Jainism is particularly significant, while Buddhist and Sikh communities are also well established. Harrow Council's current religious-education syllabus identifies synagogues in Stanmore and Canons Park, Kenton, Belmont and Pinner, together with Kol Chai Reform and Mosaic Jewish communities. The borough contains major Jain institutions including Mahavir Foundation Kenton Derasar, the Digambar Jain temple in Wealdstone and Jain Vishva Bharati London's Peace Centre in Pinner. Harrow is also notable for its very large Indian-origin population: the council reports around 28.6% of residents as having Asian-Indian heritage. The borough's diversity is institutional as well as demographic, with Hindu mandirs, Jain derasars, synagogues, mosques, gurdwaras and Christian churches distributed across multiple neighbourhoods.
Practical Living & Community Guidance in Harrow
- •The official rounded 2021 Census population is approximately 261,200.
- •Jainism should be added as a separate detailed religion because 2.4% of Harrow residents—about 6,246 people—were Jain in the 2021 Census.
- •The 10.6% reporting no religion is separate from the 5.9% who did not answer the voluntary religion question.
- •Census religion statistics measure affiliation or identification rather than religious belief, observance or worship attendance.
- •Neasden Temple is a major regional Hindu institution immediately outside Harrow in the London Borough of Brent; Harrow residents use and identify strongly with it, but it is not geographically within Harrow borough.
- •The Shri Sithi Vinayagar Temple on Nibthwaite Road is functioning while replacement-building plans are being progressed; it should not be described as closed.
- •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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