Religion in Nottingham
Nottingham has a strongly secular and highly diverse religious profile. In the 2021 Census, 41.2% of residents reported no religion, making it the largest response, while 34.7% identified as Christian and 12.2% as Muslim. Hinduism accounted for 1.7%, Sikhism 1.3%, Buddhism 0.5%, Judaism 0.3% and other religions 0.7%; 7.4% did not answer the voluntary religion question. Since 2011, no religion has increased substantially while Christian affiliation has fallen, and Muslim, Hindu and other minority-faith populations have grown.
Religion Percentages in Nottingham
Census 2011 to 2021 Demographic Trends
Community & Cultural Highlights
- In the 2021 Census, 41.2% of Nottingham residents reported no religion, while 34.7% identified as Christian and 12.2% identified as Muslim.
- Buddhist affiliation was 0.5%, Jewish affiliation 0.3%, other religion 0.7%, and religion not stated 7.4%.
- No religion increased from 35.0% in 2011 to 41.2% in 2021, while Christian affiliation fell from 44.2% to 34.7%.
- Muslim affiliation increased from 8.8% to 12.2%, making Islam Nottingham's largest non-Christian religious affiliation.
- Hindu affiliation increased from 1.5% to 1.7%, while Sikh affiliation remained relatively high at 1.3% despite a slight fall from 1.4%.
- Nottingham's 2021 ethnic profile was also highly diverse: 65.9% identified as White, 14.9% as Asian or Asian British or Asian Welsh, and 10.0% as Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African.
- Lenton and the Arboretum are strongly influenced by Nottingham's university population, but describing them as simply 'multi-faith student populations' understates their much broader international, ethnic and secular character.
- Nottingham has one of England's youngest local-authority population structures: its median age was about 31 in 2021, and nearly half of residents were under 30.
- The city's Sikh community is unusually institutionally extensive for a city of Nottingham's size, with seven gurdwaras represented through the Nottingham Sikhs network.
- The Hindu Temple on Carlton Road was established in the early 1970s and remains a multifunctional religious and cultural institution, hosting Hindu festivals, religious teaching, yoga and community events.
- The Nottingham Islam Information Centre is correctly associated with Radford, but it should not be described simply as Nottingham's primary mosque. Its own current materials describe a broader Islamic information, education and community role.
- Nottingham's religious landscape is therefore shaped by three major elements: a large secular population, substantial Muslim and Christian communities, and a broad network of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jewish and other faith organisations.
Community Geographic Distributions in Nottingham
Nottingham's Muslim population is concentrated particularly in inner-city neighbourhoods north and east of the city centre, with strong mosque, community, business and family networks.
Nottingham's South Asian population includes substantial Pakistani and Indian communities and contributes strongly to the city's religious, commercial and cultural life.
Black African, Caribbean and wider Black communities are an important part of Nottingham's contemporary population. In 2021, 10.0% of Nottingham residents identified within the Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African ethnic group.
Nottingham has an established Sikh community supported by a substantial gurdwara network. A citywide Sikh organisation brings together seven Nottingham gurdwaras and Sikh community services.
Nottingham's Hindu community is supported by the long-established Hindu Temple Cultural and Community Centre on Carlton Road and university Hindu organisations.
Nottingham Religious Landscape & Demographic Analysis
According to official figures from the ONS Census 2021, Religion, England and Wales, Nottingham (total population: 323,700 across East Midlands) exhibits a distinct religious profile. Christianity represents 34.7% of the population. A substantial 41.2% of residents report having no religious affiliation. The Muslim community comprises 12.2% of local residents. Hindu residents account for 1.7%. The Sikh population represents 1.3%.
Local Places of Worship & Community Centers
Spiritual and community life in Nottingham is supported by recognized places of worship across various neighborhoods, including Nottingham Cathedral (St Barnabas) (Roman Catholic Cathedral located in Derby Road), St Mary's Church, Nottingham (Anglican Parish Church located in Lace Market), Nottingham Islam Information Centre (Islamic Community and Da'wah Centre located in Radford), Nottingham Central Mosque and Islamic Centre (Mosque and Islamic Centre located in Forest Fields), Hindu Temple Cultural and Community Centre of Nottingham (Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre located in Carlton Road), and Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara (Sikh Gurdwara located in Nottingham Road).
Neighborhood & Diaspora Insights in Nottingham
In the 2021 Census, 41.2% of Nottingham residents reported no religion, while 34.7% identified as Christian and 12.2% identified as Muslim. Buddhist affiliation was 0.5%, Jewish affiliation 0.3%, other religion 0.7%, and religion not stated 7.4%. No religion increased from 35.0% in 2011 to 41.2% in 2021, while Christian affiliation fell from 44.2% to 34.7%. Muslim affiliation increased from 8.8% to 12.2%, making Islam Nottingham's largest non-Christian religious affiliation. Hindu affiliation increased from 1.5% to 1.7%, while Sikh affiliation remained relatively high at 1.3% despite a slight fall from 1.4%. Nottingham's 2021 ethnic profile was also highly diverse: 65.9% identified as White, 14.9% as Asian or Asian British or Asian Welsh, and 10.0% as Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African. Lenton and the Arboretum are strongly influenced by Nottingham's university population, but describing them as simply 'multi-faith student populations' understates their much broader international, ethnic and secular character. Nottingham has one of England's youngest local-authority population structures: its median age was about 31 in 2021, and nearly half of residents were under 30. The city's Sikh community is unusually institutionally extensive for a city of Nottingham's size, with seven gurdwaras represented through the Nottingham Sikhs network. The Hindu Temple on Carlton Road was established in the early 1970s and remains a multifunctional religious and cultural institution, hosting Hindu festivals, religious teaching, yoga and community events. The Nottingham Islam Information Centre is correctly associated with Radford, but it should not be described simply as Nottingham's primary mosque. Its own current materials describe a broader Islamic information, education and community role. Nottingham's religious landscape is therefore shaped by three major elements: a large secular population, substantial Muslim and Christian communities, and a broad network of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jewish and other faith organisations.
Practical Living & Community Guidance in Nottingham
- •The Census religion question was voluntary.
- •Religion Census statistics describe religious affiliation rather than active practice or frequency of worship.
- •The figures apply to Nottingham City local authority, not the wider Greater Nottingham conurbation.
- •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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