Religion in Luton
Luton has one of the most distinctive religious profiles in England, with Christianity and Islam both representing very large shares of the population. In the 2021 Census, 37.9% of Luton residents identified as Christian, 32.9% as Muslim and 17.6% reported no religion. Hinduism accounted for 3.3%, Sikhism 1.3%, Buddhism 0.3%, Judaism 0.1% and other religions 0.5%; 6.1% did not answer the voluntary religion question. Luton had the fourth-highest Muslim proportion of any local authority in England and Wales in 2021.
Religion Percentages in Luton
Census 2011 to 2021 Demographic Trends
Community & Cultural Highlights
- Luton has one of the UK's largest Muslim communities at 32.9% in the 2021 Census, alongside 37.9% Christian and 17.6% reporting no religion.
- Luton is one of England's most religiously distinctive urban local authorities: Christianity and Islam together account for 70.8% of residents in the 2021 Census.
- The Hindu figure of 3.3% is correct and is far above the England average of 1.8%.
- The Sikh figure of 1.3% is correct and is also above the England average of 0.9%.
- The correct 2021 Buddhist share is 0.3%, Jewish 0.1%, other religion 0.5%, and not answered 6.1%.
- Luton had the fourth-highest Muslim proportion among local authorities in England and Wales in 2021, making its Muslim population concentration exceptional for the region.
- Bury Park is one of Luton's best-known South Asian and Muslim commercial centres, but the wider town's religious geography extends across Dallow, Biscot, High Town, Farley, Lewsey and other neighbourhoods.
- The claim that Biscot, Dallow and Saints have significant Pakistani and Bangladeshi Muslim populations is broadly plausible, but it is safer not to treat those ward names as synonymous with a single ethnic or religious community without ward-level percentages.
- Luton's Sikh community is particularly visible through Guru Nanak Gurdwara on Dallow Road, while the town's Hindu community is served by Shree Sanatan Seva Samaj on Hereford Road.
- The current Hindu temple location is not Tenby Drive. Shree Sanatan Seva Samaj's official site lists Hereford Road, Luton LU4 0PS as its location.
- The current Guru Nanak Gurdwara is at 2A Dallow Road, and its new building was formally opened by King Charles III on 9 December 2022.
- Luton is better described as a highly religiously diverse and high-affiliation town than as simply one of the UK's 'most religiously active' places, because Census data do not measure frequency of worship or religious practice.
Community Geographic Distributions in Luton
Muslim communities are strongly established across Luton, with Bury Park and adjoining inner-west and central neighbourhoods containing particularly dense networks of mosques, Islamic schools, businesses and community organisations.
Luton's Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities have developed extensive family, commercial, educational and religious networks, particularly in Bury Park and adjoining neighbourhoods.
Luton has an unusually large Hindu population for the East of England, with Hindu organisations and temples supporting worship, festivals, cultural education and community life.
Luton has a longstanding Sikh community centred around gurdwaras and community organisations, with Guru Nanak Gurdwara on Dallow Road serving as a major institution.
Luton is home to established African communities alongside its South Asian population, adding to the town's multilingual and multicultural character.
Luton Religious Landscape & Demographic Analysis
According to official figures from the ONS Census 2021, Religion, England and Wales, Luton (total population: 225,262 across East of England) exhibits a distinct religious profile. Christianity represents 37.9% of the population. A substantial 17.6% of residents report having no religious affiliation. The Muslim community comprises 32.9% of local residents. Hindu residents account for 3.3%. The Sikh population represents 1.3%.
Local Places of Worship & Community Centers
Spiritual and community life in Luton is supported by recognized places of worship across various neighborhoods, including Luton Central Mosque (Mosque and Islamic Centre located in Westbourne Road / Bury Park), St Mary's Church (Anglican Parish Church located in Church Street / Town Centre), Guru Nanak Gurdwara Luton (Sikh Gurdwara located in Dallow Road), Shree Sanatan Seva Samaj (Hindu Temple located in Hereford Road / Lewsey area), Luton Islamic Centre (Mosque and Islamic Community Centre located in Luton), and Luton Synagogue (Jewish Synagogue located in Luton).
Neighborhood & Diaspora Insights in Luton
Luton has one of the UK's largest Muslim communities at 32.9% in the 2021 Census, alongside 37.9% Christian and 17.6% reporting no religion. Luton is one of England's most religiously distinctive urban local authorities: Christianity and Islam together account for 70.8% of residents in the 2021 Census. The Hindu figure of 3.3% is correct and is far above the England average of 1.8%. The Sikh figure of 1.3% is correct and is also above the England average of 0.9%. The correct 2021 Buddhist share is 0.3%, Jewish 0.1%, other religion 0.5%, and not answered 6.1%. Luton had the fourth-highest Muslim proportion among local authorities in England and Wales in 2021, making its Muslim population concentration exceptional for the region. Bury Park is one of Luton's best-known South Asian and Muslim commercial centres, but the wider town's religious geography extends across Dallow, Biscot, High Town, Farley, Lewsey and other neighbourhoods. The claim that Biscot, Dallow and Saints have significant Pakistani and Bangladeshi Muslim populations is broadly plausible, but it is safer not to treat those ward names as synonymous with a single ethnic or religious community without ward-level percentages. Luton's Sikh community is particularly visible through Guru Nanak Gurdwara on Dallow Road, while the town's Hindu community is served by Shree Sanatan Seva Samaj on Hereford Road. The current Hindu temple location is not Tenby Drive. Shree Sanatan Seva Samaj's official site lists Hereford Road, Luton LU4 0PS as its location. The current Guru Nanak Gurdwara is at 2A Dallow Road, and its new building was formally opened by King Charles III on 9 December 2022. Luton is better described as a highly religiously diverse and high-affiliation town than as simply one of the UK's 'most religiously active' places, because Census data do not measure frequency of worship or religious practice.
Practical Living & Community Guidance in Luton
- •England's 2021 averages were 46.3% Christian, 36.7% no religion and 6.7% Muslim, so Luton is substantially more Muslim and less non-religious than England overall.
- •The Census religion question was voluntary.
- •Census religion data measure affiliation or identification, not religious attendance or strength of belief.
- •The 2021 figures should be treated as the latest complete religion baseline even though later annual population estimates exist.
- •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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