Religion in Southampton
Southampton has a predominantly non-religious population alongside a substantial Christian community and established Muslim, Sikh and Hindu communities. In the 2021 Census, 43.4% of residents reported no religion, 40.1% identified as Christian and 5.6% as Muslim. Sikhism accounted for 1.7%, Hinduism 1.3%, Buddhism 0.5%, Judaism 0.1% and other religions 0.7%; 6.6% did not answer the voluntary religion question. No religion was the most common response, increasing from 33.5% in 2011, while Christian affiliation fell from 51.5%.
Religion Percentages in Southampton
Census 2011 to 2021 Demographic Trends
Community & Cultural Highlights
- Southampton's 2021 Census profile recorded 43.4% reporting no religion, 40.1% Christian, and 5.6% Muslim, with established Sikh (1.7%) and Hindu (1.3%) communities.
- No religion increased from 33.5% in 2011 to 43.4% in 2021, while Christian affiliation fell from 51.5% to 40.1%.
- Muslim affiliation increased from 4.2% to 5.6%, while Sikh affiliation increased from 1.5% to 1.7% and Hindu affiliation from 1.0% to 1.3%.
- Southampton's 43.4% no-religion share was higher than the South East average of 40.2% and England's 36.7% in 2021.
- The city's 1.7% Sikh share was more than twice England's 0.9%, making Sikhism an especially prominent minority religion relative to national levels.
- Southampton's Muslim share of 5.6% was above the South East average of 3.3% but below England's 6.7%.
- St Mary's, Bevois and Portswood are diverse areas, but they have different demographic profiles and should not be treated as interchangeable or as single-identity districts.
- Southampton's port history is important to its international character, but contemporary diversity also reflects universities, employment migration and newer international settlement.
- The Vedic Society provides an established Hindu institutional presence in Southampton, with its origins in 1971 and temple inauguration in 1984.
- Gurdwara Nanaksar is an established Sikh institution on Peterborough Road with a constitution explicitly centred on Sikh religious practice and religious education.
- Southampton's Muslim religious landscape consists of several institutions rather than one single dominant mosque. The city has Medina Mosque alongside other established mosques and Islamic centres.
- The city's religious profile should be described as highly diverse and predominantly non-religious by Census affiliation rather than as evidence of actual levels of religious observance.
Community Geographic Distributions in Southampton
Southampton's Muslim community is distributed across central and eastern areas, with established mosques, Islamic organisations, businesses and community networks.
Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and other South Asian communities contribute significantly to Southampton's religious, commercial and cultural life.
Southampton has an established Sikh community represented by multiple gurdwaras. Sikh affiliation reached 1.7% of the city's population in 2021, considerably above the England average.
The Hindu community is supported by the Vedic Society Hindu Temple and other cultural and religious organisations. Hindu affiliation accounted for 1.3% of Southampton residents in the 2021 Census.
The University of Southampton and Solent University contribute substantially to Southampton's international and student population. The city's port and employment base add further international connections.
Southampton Religious Landscape & Demographic Analysis
According to official figures from the ONS Census 2021, Religion, England and Wales, Southampton (total population: 248,900 across South East) exhibits a distinct religious profile. Christianity represents 40.1% of the population. A substantial 43.4% of residents report having no religious affiliation. The Muslim community comprises 5.6% of local residents. Hindu residents account for 1.3%. The Sikh population represents 1.7%.
Local Places of Worship & Community Centers
Spiritual and community life in Southampton is supported by recognized places of worship across various neighborhoods, including Southampton Medina Mosque (Mosque and Islamic Community Centre located in St Mary's / Newtown), St Michael's Church (Anglican Parish Church located in Bugle Street / Old Town), Gurdwara Nanaksar (Sikh Gurdwara located in Northam / Peterborough Road), Vedic Society Hindu Temple (Hindu Temple and Community Centre located in Northam / Radcliffe Road), Gurdwara Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib (Sikh Gurdwara located in St Mark's Road / Newtown), and Southampton Synagogue (Jewish Synagogue located in Mordaunt Road).
Neighborhood & Diaspora Insights in Southampton
Southampton's 2021 Census profile recorded 43.4% reporting no religion, 40.1% Christian, and 5.6% Muslim, with established Sikh (1.7%) and Hindu (1.3%) communities. No religion increased from 33.5% in 2011 to 43.4% in 2021, while Christian affiliation fell from 51.5% to 40.1%. Muslim affiliation increased from 4.2% to 5.6%, while Sikh affiliation increased from 1.5% to 1.7% and Hindu affiliation from 1.0% to 1.3%. Southampton's 43.4% no-religion share was higher than the South East average of 40.2% and England's 36.7% in 2021. The city's 1.7% Sikh share was more than twice England's 0.9%, making Sikhism an especially prominent minority religion relative to national levels. Southampton's Muslim share of 5.6% was above the South East average of 3.3% but below England's 6.7%. St Mary's, Bevois and Portswood are diverse areas, but they have different demographic profiles and should not be treated as interchangeable or as single-identity districts. Southampton's port history is important to its international character, but contemporary diversity also reflects universities, employment migration and newer international settlement. The Vedic Society provides an established Hindu institutional presence in Southampton, with its origins in 1971 and temple inauguration in 1984. Gurdwara Nanaksar is an established Sikh institution on Peterborough Road with a constitution explicitly centred on Sikh religious practice and religious education. Southampton's Muslim religious landscape consists of several institutions rather than one single dominant mosque. The city has Medina Mosque alongside other established mosques and Islamic centres. The city's religious profile should be described as highly diverse and predominantly non-religious by Census affiliation rather than as evidence of actual levels of religious observance.
Practical Living & Community Guidance in Southampton
- •The 43.4% reporting no religion is separate from the 6.6% who did not answer the voluntary religion question.
- •Census religion statistics measure affiliation or identification rather than frequency of worship or strength of personal belief.
- •The Census figures apply to Southampton local authority, not the wider Southampton urban area or Hampshire.
- •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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