# People and census in Tower Hamlets East London. 334,240 people (mid-2025 estimate) in 20 square kilometres, the most densely populated council in the UK. 24 layers about people and census for Tower Hamlets, each at the level its publisher released it, with its own date and source. In: [London](https://openindex.co.uk/london) ## What is the population of Tower Hamlets? Tower Hamlets had 310,306 usual residents at the census. Tower Hamlets is the 48th most populated of 361 in the UK. ## Population Tower Hamlets: **310,306** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. Tower Hamlets had 310,306 usual residents at the census. Tower Hamlets is the 48th most populated of 361 in the UK. [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/population?place=E09000030) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/population) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/population/london) · https://openindex.co.uk/tower-hamlets/people#l-population ## Population estimate Tower Hamlets: **334,240** (2025, council level). Source: ONS population estimates. Published 1 October 2026. Tower Hamlets’s population was an estimated 334,240 in mid-2025. The population fell 0.6% in the year to mid-2025. Tower Hamlets is 41st most populated of 361 for population. [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/population-estimate?place=E09000030) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/population-estimate) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/population-estimate/london) · https://openindex.co.uk/tower-hamlets/people#l-population-estimate ## Aged 15 to 64 Tower Hamlets: **76.9%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 76.9% of residents in Tower Hamlets were aged 15 to 64 at the census. In London the figure is 70.0%. - Against London: 10% higher (70.0%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/age-15-to-64?place=E09000030) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/age-15-to-64) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/age-15-to-64/london) · https://openindex.co.uk/tower-hamlets/people#l-age-15-to-64 ## Aged 65 and over Tower Hamlets: **5.6%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 5.6% of residents in Tower Hamlets were aged 65 or over at the census. In London the figure is 11.9%. - Against London: 53% lower (11.9%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/age-65-and-over?place=E09000030) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/age-65-and-over) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/age-65-and-over/london) · https://openindex.co.uk/tower-hamlets/people#l-age-65-and-over ## Aged under 15 Tower Hamlets: **17.4%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 17.4% of residents in Tower Hamlets were aged under 15 at the census. In London the figure is 18.1%. - Against London: 4% lower (18.1%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/age-under-15?place=E09000030) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/age-under-15) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/age-under-15/london) · https://openindex.co.uk/tower-hamlets/people#l-age-under-15 ## Born outside the UK Tower Hamlets: **46.8%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 46.8% of residents in Tower Hamlets were born outside the UK. In London the figure is 40.6%. - Against London: 15% higher (40.6%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/born-outside-uk?place=E09000030) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/born-outside-uk) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/born-outside-uk/london) · https://openindex.co.uk/tower-hamlets/people#l-born-outside-uk ## Disability Tower Hamlets: **12.9%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 12.9% of residents in Tower Hamlets had their day-to-day activities limited by a long-term health problem or disability. In London the figure is 13.2%. - Against London: 2% lower (13.2%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/disability?place=E09000030) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/disability) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/disability/london) · https://openindex.co.uk/tower-hamlets/people#l-disability ## Good or very good health Tower Hamlets: **85.1%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 85.1% of residents in Tower Hamlets said their health was good or very good. In London the figure is 85.4%. - Against London: About the same (85.4%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/good-health?place=E09000030) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/good-health) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/good-health/london) · https://openindex.co.uk/tower-hamlets/people#l-good-health ## Households Tower Hamlets: **120,539** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. Tower Hamlets had 120,539 households at the census. Tower Hamlets is 56th highest of 361 for the number of households. [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/households?place=E09000030) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/households) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/households/london) · https://openindex.co.uk/tower-hamlets/people#l-households ## Households without a car or van Tower Hamlets: **66.4%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 66.4% of households in Tower Hamlets had no car or van at the census. In London the figure is 42.1%. - Against London: 1.6 times (42.1%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/no-car-or-van?place=E09000030) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/no-car-or-van) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/no-car-or-van/london) · https://openindex.co.uk/tower-hamlets/people#l-no-car-or-van ## Owner-occupied homes Tower Hamlets: **25.7%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 25.7% of households in Tower Hamlets owned their home at the census. In London the figure is 46.8%. - Against London: 45% lower (46.8%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/owner-occupied?place=E09000030) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/owner-occupied) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/owner-occupied/london) · https://openindex.co.uk/tower-hamlets/people#l-owner-occupied ## Population density Tower Hamlets: **15,696 per km²** (2021, council level). Source: Worked out by Open Index from census population counts and the area of each place. Published 21 July 2026. Tower Hamlets had 15,696 people per square kilometre at the census. In London the figure is 5,593 per km². - Against London: 2.8 times (5,593 per km²) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/population-density?place=E09000030) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/population-density) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/population-density/london) · https://openindex.co.uk/tower-hamlets/people#l-population-density ## Private rented homes Tower Hamlets: **38.2%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 38.2% of households in Tower Hamlets rented privately at the census. In London the figure is 30.0%. - Against London: 27% higher (30.0%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/private-rented?place=E09000030) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/private-rented) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/private-rented/london) · https://openindex.co.uk/tower-hamlets/people#l-private-rented ## Social rented homes Tower Hamlets: **35.9%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026. 35.9% of households in Tower Hamlets rented from a council or housing association at the census. In London the figure is 23.1%. - Against London: 1.6 times (23.1%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/social-rented?place=E09000030) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/social-rented) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/social-rented/london) · https://openindex.co.uk/tower-hamlets/people#l-social-rented ## Degree-level qualifications Tower Hamlets: **50.3%** (2021, council level, England, Wales and Northern Ireland only). Source: ONS Census 2021 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 50.3% of residents aged 16 and over in Tower Hamlets had a degree-level qualification at the census. In London the figure is 46.7%. - Against London: 8% higher (46.7%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/degree-level-qualifications?place=E09000030) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/degree-level-qualifications) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/degree-level-qualifications/london) · https://openindex.co.uk/tower-hamlets/people#l-degree-level-qualifications ## Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh Tower Hamlets: **44.4%** (2021, council level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 44.4% of residents in Tower Hamlets identified with the Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh ethnic group. In London the figure is 20.7%. - Against London: 2.1 times (20.7%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/ethnic-group-asian?place=E09000030) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/ethnic-group-asian) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/ethnic-group-asian/london) · https://openindex.co.uk/tower-hamlets/people#l-ethnic-group-asian ## Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African Tower Hamlets: **7.3%** (2021, council level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 7.3% of residents in Tower Hamlets identified with the Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African ethnic group. In London the figure is 13.5%. - Against London: 46% lower (13.5%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/ethnic-group-black?place=E09000030) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/ethnic-group-black) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/ethnic-group-black/london) · https://openindex.co.uk/tower-hamlets/people#l-ethnic-group-black ## Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups Tower Hamlets: **5.0%** (2021, council level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 5.0% of residents in Tower Hamlets identified with a Mixed or Multiple ethnic group. In London the figure is 5.7%. - Against London: 12% lower (5.7%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/ethnic-group-mixed?place=E09000030) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/ethnic-group-mixed) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/ethnic-group-mixed/london) · https://openindex.co.uk/tower-hamlets/people#l-ethnic-group-mixed ## Other ethnic group Tower Hamlets: **3.9%** (2021, council level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 3.9% of residents in Tower Hamlets identified with another ethnic group, including Arab. In London the figure is 6.3%. - Against London: 38% lower (6.3%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/ethnic-group-other?place=E09000030) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/ethnic-group-other) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/ethnic-group-other/london) · https://openindex.co.uk/tower-hamlets/people#l-ethnic-group-other ## White ethnic groups Tower Hamlets: **39.4%** (2021, council level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 39.4% of residents in Tower Hamlets identified with a White ethnic group. In London the figure is 53.8%. - Against London: 27% lower (53.8%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/ethnic-group-white?place=E09000030) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/ethnic-group-white) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/ethnic-group-white/london) · https://openindex.co.uk/tower-hamlets/people#l-ethnic-group-white ## Christian Tower Hamlets: **22.3%** (2021, council level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 22.3% of residents in Tower Hamlets said they were Christian. In London the figure is 40.7%. - Against London: 45% lower (40.7%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/christian?place=E09000030) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/christian) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/christian/london) · https://openindex.co.uk/tower-hamlets/people#l-religion-christian ## No religion Tower Hamlets: **26.6%** (2021, council level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 26.6% of residents in Tower Hamlets said they had no religion. In London the figure is 27.1%. - Against London: 2% lower (27.1%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/no-religion?place=E09000030) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/no-religion) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/no-religion/london) · https://openindex.co.uk/tower-hamlets/people#l-religion-none ## Working mainly from home Tower Hamlets: **50.3%** (2021, council level, England and Wales only). Source: ONS Census 2021. Published 19 January 2023. 50.3% of working residents in Tower Hamlets worked mainly from home in March 2021. In London the figure is 42.1%. - Against London: 19% higher (42.1%) [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/work-from-home?place=E09000030) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/work-from-home) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/work-from-home/london) · https://openindex.co.uk/tower-hamlets/people#l-work-from-home ## Annual population change Tower Hamlets: **−0.6%** (2025, council level). Source: Worked out by Open Index from the mid-year population estimates. Published 1 October 2026. Tower Hamlets’s estimated population changed by −0.6% in the year to mid-2025. [Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/population-change?place=E09000030) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/population-change) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/population-change/london) · https://openindex.co.uk/tower-hamlets/people#l-population-estimate-change-1y ## More on this place - [Overview](https://openindex.co.uk/tower-hamlets) - [Housing](https://openindex.co.uk/tower-hamlets/housing) (17) - [Crime](https://openindex.co.uk/tower-hamlets/crime) (13) - [Deprivation](https://openindex.co.uk/tower-hamlets/deprivation) (8) - [Health](https://openindex.co.uk/tower-hamlets/health) (4) - [Education](https://openindex.co.uk/tower-hamlets/education) (2) - [Environment](https://openindex.co.uk/tower-hamlets/environment) (9) - [Transport](https://openindex.co.uk/tower-hamlets/transport) (4) - [Connectivity](https://openindex.co.uk/tower-hamlets/connectivity) (5) - [Planning](https://openindex.co.uk/tower-hamlets/planning) (3) - [Economy](https://openindex.co.uk/tower-hamlets/economy) (4) - [Council tax](https://openindex.co.uk/tower-hamlets/council-tax) (10) - [Elections](https://openindex.co.uk/tower-hamlets/elections) (7) - [Local services](https://openindex.co.uk/tower-hamlets/services) (3) - [Sources](https://openindex.co.uk/tower-hamlets/sources) (28) The same figures as JSON: https://openindex.co.uk/v1/places/E09000030/data?family=people ## How to cite Source: Open Index, openindex.co.uk. Link to this page, https://openindex.co.uk/tower-hamlets/people, or to one figure with its anchor, https://openindex.co.uk/tower-hamlets/people#l-population. Open Index's own text and the figures it works out are licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Source data keeps its publishers' licences, named with each figure. Give each figure's period and source with it. Snapshot 2026.10.8, https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23508850. The HTML page: https://openindex.co.uk/tower-hamlets/people