Religion in Reading
Reading has a broad and increasingly diverse religious profile, with Christianity and no religion accounting for the two largest groups. In the 2021 Census, 39.6% of residents identified as Christian, 36.3% reported no religion and 8.9% identified as Muslim. Hinduism accounted for 5.0%, Buddhism 1.7%, Sikhism 0.7%, Judaism 0.2% and other religions 0.7%; 6.9% did not answer the voluntary religion question. Reading's no-religion share increased substantially from 29.5% in 2011, while Christian affiliation fell from 50.0%.
Religion Percentages in Reading
Census 2011 to 2021 Demographic Trends
Community & Cultural Highlights
- The 2021 Census recorded 39.6% Christian, 36.3% No Religion, 8.9% Muslim, 5.0% Hindu, and 1.7% Buddhist residents in Reading.
- Reading's Buddhist proportion (1.7%) is more than three times higher than the England national benchmark (0.5%), driven by substantial Nepalese, South Asian, and international student communities.
- No religion increased significantly from 29.5% in 2011 to 36.3% in 2021 (+6.8 percentage points).
- Christian affiliation fell from 50.0% to 39.6% (-10.4 percentage points).
- Muslim affiliation rose from 7.1% to 8.9% (+1.8 percentage points), and Hindu affiliation grew from 3.6% to 5.0% (+1.4 percentage points).
- The Reading Hindu Temple on Whitley Street is housed in a former Methodist church, demonstrating adaptive reuse of historical sacred buildings.
- Reading Synagogue on Goldsmid Road is Grade II listed, dating from 1900, and is Berkshire's only purpose-built synagogue.
- The Central Jamme Mosque on Waylen Street was developed by the Bangladesh Association of Greater Reading, while the Abu Bakr Islamic Centre on Oxford Road opened in 2013 as a purpose-built facility.
Community Geographic Distributions in Reading
Reading's Muslim population is distributed across the borough, with major mosques and community institutions in the Oxford Road and central areas and established South Asian, African and Middle Eastern communities.
Reading has a comparatively high Hindu population share for the South East. The Reading Hindu Temple on Whitley Street provides a major institutional focus for Hindu worship and culture.
Reading's 1.7% Buddhist share is unusually high compared with England's 0.5%, reflecting a mixture of established residents and internationally connected university and professional communities.
Reading has an established Sikh community and gurdwara network, although Sikhism represents a smaller share of the borough's population than Hinduism or Islam.
Reading has a longstanding Jewish community and a listed synagogue dating from 1900, with community life continuing despite the relatively small 2021 Census Jewish share.
Reading Religious Landscape & Demographic Analysis
According to official figures from the ONS Census 2021, Religion, England and Wales, Reading (total population: 174,200 across South East) exhibits a distinct religious profile. Christianity represents 39.6% of the population. A substantial 36.3% of residents report having no religious affiliation. The Muslim community comprises 8.9% of local residents. Hindu residents account for 5%. Buddhist residents represent 1.7%.
Local Places of Worship & Community Centers
Spiritual and community life in Reading is supported by recognized places of worship across various neighborhoods, including Reading Minster of St Mary the Virgin (Anglican Church located in Town Centre / St Mary's Butts), Central Jamme Mosque (Mosque and Islamic Community Centre located in Waylen Street / Town Centre), Abu Bakr Islamic Centre (Mosque and Islamic Community Centre located in Oxford Road / West Reading), Reading Hindu Temple (Hindu Temple located in Whitley / Whitley Street), Reading Gurdwara (Sikh Gurdwara located in Reading), Reading Synagogue (Jewish Synagogue located in Goldsmid Road), and Reading Buddhist Centre (Buddhist Centre located in Reading).
Neighborhood & Diaspora Insights in Reading
The 2021 Census recorded 39.6% Christian, 36.3% No Religion, 8.9% Muslim, 5.0% Hindu, and 1.7% Buddhist residents in Reading. Reading's Buddhist proportion (1.7%) is more than three times higher than the England national benchmark (0.5%), driven by substantial Nepalese, South Asian, and international student communities. No religion increased significantly from 29.5% in 2011 to 36.3% in 2021 (+6.8 percentage points). Christian affiliation fell from 50.0% to 39.6% (-10.4 percentage points). Muslim affiliation rose from 7.1% to 8.9% (+1.8 percentage points), and Hindu affiliation grew from 3.6% to 5.0% (+1.4 percentage points). The Reading Hindu Temple on Whitley Street is housed in a former Methodist church, demonstrating adaptive reuse of historical sacred buildings. Reading Synagogue on Goldsmid Road is Grade II listed, dating from 1900, and is Berkshire's only purpose-built synagogue. The Central Jamme Mosque on Waylen Street was developed by the Bangladesh Association of Greater Reading, while the Abu Bakr Islamic Centre on Oxford Road opened in 2013 as a purpose-built facility.
Practical Living & Community Guidance in Reading
- •The official rounded 2021 Census population is 174,200 (174,224 exact).
- •Reading's no-religion share of 36.3% was close to England's 36.7%; its religious distinctiveness is better illustrated by its above-average Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist shares.
- •Census religion figures measure self-identified affiliation or cultural belonging rather than active worship attendance or religious observance.
- •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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