Religion in Leicester
Leicester is one of England's most religiously diverse cities, with Christianity, Islam, no religion and Hinduism all representing substantial portions of the population. In the 2021 Census, 24.7% identified as Christian, 23.5% as Muslim, 23.0% as having no religion and 17.9% as Hindu. Sikhism accounted for 4.5%, Buddhism 0.3%, Judaism 0.1% and other religions 0.6%; 5.6% did not answer the voluntary religion question. Leicester had the second-highest Hindu proportion of any local authority in England after Harrow and one of England's largest Sikh communities.
Religion Percentages in Leicester
Census 2011 to 2021 Demographic Trends
Community & Cultural Highlights
- Leicester's four largest Census responses were Christian at 24.7%, Muslim at 23.5%, no religion at 23.0%, and Hindu at 17.9%, giving the city an unusually broad religious mix.
- Leicester had the second-highest Hindu proportion of any local authority in England in the 2021 Census, behind Harrow's 25.8%.
- The city's Hindu population grew from 15.2% in 2011 to 17.9% in 2021, while the number of residents identifying as Hindu reached about 65,821.
- Leicester's 4.5% Sikh share was the second-highest proportion among East Midlands local authorities after Oadby and Wigston, which recorded 7.5%. Leicester also had the largest Sikh population by number in the East Midlands.
- Muslim affiliation rose from 18.6% in 2011 to 23.5% in 2021, an increase of 4.8 percentage points and the largest percentage-point increase among Leicester's major religious groups.
- Christian affiliation fell from 32.4% in 2011 to 24.7% in 2021, while the proportion reporting no religion changed only slightly from 22.8% to 23.0%.
- The Golden Mile along Belgrave Road is a major South Asian commercial and cultural corridor and forms the centrepiece of Leicester's internationally recognised Diwali celebrations.
- Leicester's Diwali celebrations are currently described by the city's official tourism service as among the largest in the world outside India, with the Golden Mile hosting the illuminated Diwali period and major public festivities.
- The annual Sikh Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan procession begins at Guru Nanak Gurdwara on Holy Bones and travels to Guru Tegh Bahadur Gurdwara on East Park Road, drawing thousands of participants.
Community Geographic Distributions in Leicester
Leicester has one of England's largest Hindu communities by proportion. Belgrave and surrounding north and east Leicester areas are strongly associated with Hindu cultural and community life.
Muslim communities are distributed across much of Leicester, with particularly strong concentrations in inner east, north and south-east areas.
Leicester has a long-established Sikh community and several gurdwaras. The annual Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan links major Sikh institutions in the city.
Christian communities remain widespread and include Anglican, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Pentecostal and other traditions.
Leicester Religious Landscape & Demographic Analysis
According to official figures from the ONS Census 2021, Religion, England and Wales, Leicester (total population: 368,581 across East Midlands) exhibits a distinct religious profile. Christianity represents 24.7% of the population. A substantial 23% of residents report having no religious affiliation. The Muslim community comprises 23.5% of local residents. Hindu residents account for 17.9%. The Sikh population represents 4.5%.
Local Places of Worship & Community Centers
Spiritual and community life in Leicester is supported by recognized places of worship across various neighborhoods, including BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Leicester (Hindu Mandir located in Gipsy Lane / Belgrave area), Leicester Central Mosque / Islamic Centre Leicester (Mosque and Islamic Centre located in Conduit Street), Guru Nanak Gurdwara (Sikh Gurdwara located in Holy Bones, City Centre), Guru Tegh Bahadur Gurdwara (Sikh Gurdwara located in East Park Road), Leicester Cathedral (Anglican Cathedral located in City Centre), and ISKCON Leicester (Hare Krishna Temple located in Granby Street, City Centre).
Neighborhood & Diaspora Insights in Leicester
Leicester's four largest Census responses were Christian at 24.7%, Muslim at 23.5%, no religion at 23.0%, and Hindu at 17.9%, giving the city an unusually broad religious mix. Leicester had the second-highest Hindu proportion of any local authority in England in the 2021 Census, behind Harrow's 25.8%. The city's Hindu population grew from 15.2% in 2011 to 17.9% in 2021, while the number of residents identifying as Hindu reached about 65,821. Leicester's 4.5% Sikh share was the second-highest proportion among East Midlands local authorities after Oadby and Wigston, which recorded 7.5%. Leicester also had the largest Sikh population by number in the East Midlands. Muslim affiliation rose from 18.6% in 2011 to 23.5% in 2021, an increase of 4.8 percentage points and the largest percentage-point increase among Leicester's major religious groups. Christian affiliation fell from 32.4% in 2011 to 24.7% in 2021, while the proportion reporting no religion changed only slightly from 22.8% to 23.0%. The Golden Mile along Belgrave Road is a major South Asian commercial and cultural corridor and forms the centrepiece of Leicester's internationally recognised Diwali celebrations. Leicester's Diwali celebrations are currently described by the city's official tourism service as among the largest in the world outside India, with the Golden Mile hosting the illuminated Diwali period and major public festivities. The annual Sikh Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan procession begins at Guru Nanak Gurdwara on Holy Bones and travels to Guru Tegh Bahadur Gurdwara on East Park Road, drawing thousands of participants.
Practical Living & Community Guidance in Leicester
- •The official 2021 Census population of Leicester was 368,581; ONS commonly rounds this to 368,600.
- •The 23.0% reporting no religion is distinct from the 5.6% who did not answer the voluntary religion question.
- •Census religion statistics describe religious affiliation or identification and should not be interpreted as measures of worship attendance or personal observance.
- •Leicester was second nationally among England and Wales local authorities for Hindu population share in 2021, behind Harrow.
- •Leicester had the largest Sikh population by number in the East Midlands, but not the highest percentage; Oadby and Wigston had a higher Sikh proportion.
- •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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