People and census in Waltham Forest
London boroughNorth east London. 283,713 people in 39 square kilometres.
24 layers about people and census for Waltham Forest, each at the level its publisher released it, with its own date and source.
Population by output area
Census 2021, England and Wales
Waltham Forest’s 771 output areas range from 100 to 794.
What is the population of Waltham Forest?
Waltham Forest had 278,426 usual residents at the census.
Waltham Forest is the 65th most populated of 361 in the UK.
Population
CouncilWaltham Forest had 278,426 usual residents at the census.
Waltham Forest is the 65th most populated of 361 in the UK.
Population estimate
CouncilWaltham Forest’s population was an estimated 283,713 in mid-2025.
The population held steady in the year to mid-2025.
Waltham Forest is 68th most populated of 361 for population.
Aged 15 to 64
Council70.8% of residents in Waltham Forest were aged 15 to 64 at the census.
In London the figure is 70.0%.
- Against London
- 1% higher70.0%
Aged 65 and over
Council10.2% of residents in Waltham Forest were aged 65 or over at the census.
In London the figure is 11.9%.
- Against London
- 14% lower11.9%
Aged under 15
Council19.0% of residents in Waltham Forest were aged under 15 at the census.
In London the figure is 18.1%.
- Against London
- 5% higher18.1%
Born outside the UK
Council38.6% of residents in Waltham Forest were born outside the UK.
In London the figure is 40.6%.
- Against London
- 5% lower40.6%
Disability
Council13.2% of residents in Waltham Forest had their day-to-day activities limited by a long-term health problem or disability.
In London the figure is 13.2%.
- Against London
- About the same13.2%
Good or very good health
Council85.0% of residents in Waltham Forest said their health was good or very good.
In London the figure is 85.4%.
- Against London
- About the same85.4%
Households
CouncilWaltham Forest had 102,901 households at the census.
Waltham Forest is 85th highest of 361 for the number of households.
Households without a car or van
Council42.1% of households in Waltham Forest had no car or van at the census.
In London the figure is 42.1%.
- Against London
- About the same42.1%
Owner-occupied homes
Council50.6% of households in Waltham Forest owned their home at the census.
In London the figure is 46.8%.
- Against London
- 8% higher46.8%
Population density
CouncilWaltham Forest had 7,174 people per square kilometre at the census.
In London the figure is 5,593 per km².
Worked out by Open Index from census population counts and the area of each place.
- Against London
- 28% higher5,593 per km²
Private rented homes
Council27.8% of households in Waltham Forest rented privately at the census.
In London the figure is 30.0%.
- Against London
- 7% lower30.0%
Social rented homes
Council21.5% of households in Waltham Forest rented from a council or housing association at the census.
In London the figure is 23.1%.
- Against London
- 7% lower23.1%
Degree-level qualifications
CouncilEngland, Wales and Northern Ireland only43.2% of residents aged 16 and over in Waltham Forest had a degree-level qualification at the census.
In London the figure is 46.7%.
- Against London
- 7% lower46.7%
Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh
CouncilEngland and Wales only19.9% of residents in Waltham Forest identified with the Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh ethnic group.
In London the figure is 20.7%.
- Against London
- 4% lower20.7%
Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African
CouncilEngland and Wales only15.0% of residents in Waltham Forest identified with the Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African ethnic group.
In London the figure is 13.5%.
- Against London
- 11% higher13.5%
Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups
CouncilEngland and Wales only6.5% of residents in Waltham Forest identified with a Mixed or Multiple ethnic group.
In London the figure is 5.7%.
- Against London
- 14% higher5.7%
Other ethnic group
CouncilEngland and Wales only5.8% of residents in Waltham Forest identified with another ethnic group, including Arab.
In London the figure is 6.3%.
- Against London
- 8% lower6.3%
White ethnic groups
CouncilEngland and Wales only52.8% of residents in Waltham Forest identified with a White ethnic group.
In London the figure is 53.8%.
- Against London
- 2% lower53.8%
Christian
CouncilEngland and Wales only39.0% of residents in Waltham Forest said they were Christian.
In London the figure is 40.7%.
- Against London
- 4% lower40.7%
No religion
CouncilEngland and Wales only27.9% of residents in Waltham Forest said they had no religion.
In London the figure is 27.1%.
- Against London
- 3% higher27.1%
Working mainly from home
CouncilEngland and Wales only37.6% of working residents in Waltham Forest worked mainly from home in March 2021.
In London the figure is 42.1%.
- Against London
- 11% lower42.1%
Annual population change
CouncilWaltham Forest’s estimated population changed by 0.0% in the year to mid-2025.
Worked out by Open Index from the mid-year population estimates.
- Against the UK
- 100% lower0.3%