Religion in Slough
Slough has one of the UK's most distinctive religious profiles, with very large Muslim, Sikh and Hindu communities alongside Christianity. In the 2021 Census, 32.0% of residents identified as Christian, 29.4% as Muslim, 11.3% as Sikh, 7.8% as Hindu and 13.1% reported no religion. Buddhism accounted for 0.5%, Judaism 0.1% and other religions 0.5%; 5.4% did not answer the voluntary religion question. Slough's Muslim, Sikh and Hindu shares are all substantially above the England averages, while its no-religion share is far below the national figure.
Religion Percentages in Slough
Census 2011 to 2021 Demographic Trends
Community & Cultural Highlights
- Slough possesses one of the most religiously diverse populations in the UK, with 32.0% Christian, 29.4% Muslim, 13.1% No Religion, 11.3% Sikh, and 7.8% Hindu in the 2021 Census.
- Hindu residents account for 7.8% (12,343 people) in Slough, more than four times the England national average of 1.8%.
- Buddhist is 0.5%, Jewish 0.1% and other religion 0.5%.
- Slough's Christian proportion fell from 41.2% in 2011 to 32.0% in 2021, while no religion rose from 12.1% to 13.1%.
- Muslim affiliation increased from 23.3% to 29.4%, a 6.1-point rise and the largest percentage-point increase among Slough's broad religious groups.
- Sikh affiliation increased from 10.6% to 11.3%, while Hindu affiliation increased from 6.2% to 7.8%.
- Slough's 11.3% Sikh share is the highest proportion among South East local authorities, making Sikh identity a particularly distinctive feature of the borough's demographic profile.
- Together, Slough's Muslim (29.4%), Sikh (11.3%), Hindu (7.8%), and Buddhist (0.5%) populations represent nearly half of the town's total residents.
- Slough's 13.1% no-religion share is exceptionally low compared with 36.7% across England and 40.2% across the South East.
- Slough's religious profile is closely linked to its large Asian population: the 2021 Census recorded about 59% of residents as Asian or Asian British.
- Slough's population is highly international, with 44% of residents born outside the UK and more than 150 languages and dialects spoken in the borough.
- The town's religious diversity is not solely the product of recent migration. Sikh, Hindu, Muslim and Christian institutions have developed over decades and now form established community infrastructure.
- Bury Park-style shorthand should not be imported from Luton: Slough's religious and South Asian population is distributed across several neighbourhoods rather than being concentrated in a single nationally recognisable district.
- Slough Hindu Mandir has unusual historical importance: its official history states that the purpose-built temple opened in 1981 and was the first of its kind in the British Isles.
- Slough's high religious-affiliation rate should not be interpreted as proof that 81.6% of residents actively practise a religion; the Census measures affiliation rather than worship frequency or intensity of belief.
Community Geographic Distributions in Slough
Slough has the highest Sikh population proportion of any local authority in the South East, at 11.3% in the 2021 Census. Sikh institutions and community activity are distributed across several parts of the borough.
Slough's Muslim community is substantial and geographically distributed across the borough, with mosques, Islamic schools, halal businesses and community organisations forming an extensive local network.
Slough's Hindu population is unusually large for South East England, representing 7.8% of residents in 2021. The Slough Hindu Mandir on Keel Drive is a major community institution.
Slough has long-established Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and other South Asian communities, with extensive commercial, family, educational, religious and cultural networks.
Slough is one of England's most internationally connected local authorities. Census data show 44% of residents were born outside the UK, and the borough uses more than 150 languages and dialects.
Slough Religious Landscape & Demographic Analysis
According to official figures from the ONS Census 2021, Religion, England and Wales, Slough (total population: 158,500 across South East) exhibits a distinct religious profile. Christianity represents 32% of the population. A substantial 13.1% of residents report having no religious affiliation. The Muslim community comprises 29.4% of local residents. Hindu residents account for 7.8%. The Sikh population represents 11.3%.
Local Places of Worship & Community Centers
Spiritual and community life in Slough is supported by recognized places of worship across various neighborhoods, including Sri Guru Singh Sabha Slough (Sikh Gurdwara located in Sheehy Way), Jamia Masjid & Islamic Centre Slough (Mosque and Islamic Centre located in Stoke Poges Lane), Slough Hindu Mandir (Hindu Mandir and Community Centre located in Keel Drive), St Mary's Church (Anglican Parish Church located in Church Street), and Ramgarhia Sikh Gurdwara (Sikh Gurdwara located in Woodland Avenue).
Neighborhood & Diaspora Insights in Slough
Slough possesses one of the most religiously diverse populations in the UK, with 32.0% Christian, 29.4% Muslim, 13.1% No Religion, 11.3% Sikh, and 7.8% Hindu in the 2021 Census. Hindu residents account for 7.8% (12,343 people) in Slough, more than four times the England national average of 1.8%. Buddhist is 0.5%, Jewish 0.1% and other religion 0.5%. Slough's Christian proportion fell from 41.2% in 2011 to 32.0% in 2021, while no religion rose from 12.1% to 13.1%. Muslim affiliation increased from 23.3% to 29.4%, a 6.1-point rise and the largest percentage-point increase among Slough's broad religious groups. Sikh affiliation increased from 10.6% to 11.3%, while Hindu affiliation increased from 6.2% to 7.8%. Slough's 11.3% Sikh share is the highest proportion among South East local authorities, making Sikh identity a particularly distinctive feature of the borough's demographic profile. Together, Slough's Muslim (29.4%), Sikh (11.3%), Hindu (7.8%), and Buddhist (0.5%) populations represent nearly half of the town's total residents. Slough's 13.1% no-religion share is exceptionally low compared with 36.7% across England and 40.2% across the South East. Slough's religious profile is closely linked to its large Asian population: the 2021 Census recorded about 59% of residents as Asian or Asian British. Slough's population is highly international, with 44% of residents born outside the UK and more than 150 languages and dialects spoken in the borough. The town's religious diversity is not solely the product of recent migration. Sikh, Hindu, Muslim and Christian institutions have developed over decades and now form established community infrastructure. Bury Park-style shorthand should not be imported from Luton: Slough's religious and South Asian population is distributed across several neighbourhoods rather than being concentrated in a single nationally recognisable district. Slough Hindu Mandir has unusual historical importance: its official history states that the purpose-built temple opened in 1981 and was the first of its kind in the British Isles. Slough's high religious-affiliation rate should not be interpreted as proof that 81.6% of residents actively practise a religion; the Census measures affiliation rather than worship frequency or intensity of belief.
Practical Living & Community Guidance in Slough
- •Slough had the highest Sikh population proportion among South East local authorities in the 2021 Census.
- •The 13.1% reporting no religion is separate from the 5.4% who did not answer the voluntary religion question.
- •Census religion statistics measure affiliation or identification and do not establish active religious practice.
- •Avoid treating Muslim, Sikh, Hindu and Buddhist residents as one ethnic group; religion and ethnicity are separate Census concepts.
- •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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