Place
Kensington and Chelsea is rich in culture and heritage. Kensington Palace, the Victoria & Albert, Natural History, Science and Design Museums are just some of our landmark institutions.
At a glance
- The council manages over 30 parks and open spaces. However, over half of the borough’s open space is in just four wards with Queen’s Gate ward having the least amount of open space.
- There is a busy road network within the borough and air quality is a health risk for all, especially children and those with underlying health conditions. Two thirds of the borough does not meet World Health Organisation guidelines for levels of particulate matter. Find out what the council is doing on air quality.
- There are 18,430 social rented households (28%). These are mostly concentrated in Golborne, Dalgarno, Notting Dale, St. Helen’s, Colville, Chelsea Riverside and in Brompton and Hans Town.
- The life expectancy for someone sleeping on the streets is 30-40 years less than average. Street homelessness is relatively low in the borough. However, 443 people are also being supported by the council in homelessness accommodation.
- We have some of the best schools in London, but nearly a quarter of children live in poverty. There are significant disadvantages for families to overcome to ensure that children have the best start in life.
- Not having access to digital services contributes to poor health and wellbeing. For example, it can cause social isolation, economic exclusion and lead to not being able to access services and support
Deprivation
Health is closely linked to deprivation. If you are struggling financially, don’t have a good job, education, or a safe place to live, it can be harder to stay healthy.
The cost of housing means that deprivation is often concentrated in areas with a large proportion of social housing. While many residents in these areas face challenges, these are also areas bursting with creativity and community life. Three of the most deprived wards in London are in the Royal Borough. These are Golborne, Notting Dale and Dalgarno, with Golborne and Chelsea Riverside being the most deprived ward in London.
Local support can be found on the Cost of Living Support Hub.
Find out more about help to find a job and career advice.
Social housing
There are 18,430 households living in social housing (28%). These are mostly concentrated in Golborne, Dalgarno, Notting Dale, St. Helen’s, Colville, Chelsea Riverside and in Brompton and Hans Town.
Employment
Employment outcomes are poor in deprived areas of the borough, despite relatively high levels of skills and training. In 2023, the unemployment rate in Kensington and Chelsea was 5.8%, similar to the London average (4.8%).
Income
Kensington and Chelsea is an area of huge social and cultural diversity, which includes significant differences in income, employment and skills levels. Most employed residents are in highly skilled professional jobs, but the borough has areas where people are on low incomes, particularly in north Kensington and parts of the south and west of the borough.
Household income in Golborne after housing costs is estimated at £28,500. This is less than half the equivalent figures for South Kensington (£63,700). 1 in 4 homes in London are at risk of the cost of living crisis;
Local support can be found on the Cost of Living Support Hub.
Children living in poverty
Almost 1 in 4 children live in poverty and 4,760 children are eligible for free school meals.
Life expectancy
Kensington and Chelsea has the highest life expectancy for females in the country, and the fourth highest for males. The average man lives to 82, the average woman to 87. However, there are big differences in life expectancy across the borough.
The most recent data from 2019-2023 shows that life expectancy for men in South Kensington is 11 years higher than it is for men in Ladbroke Grove. For women in Hans Town, it is 10 years higher than it is for women in Ladbroke Grove. This is a substantial decrease on the previously published data. It should be recognised that the Grenfell tragedy in 2017, where 72 residents sadly lost their lives had a marked impact on local life expectancy inequalities during those years where those deaths were part of analysis.
The gap is predominantly driven by exceptionally high life expectancy in areas of the borough. For men, it is similar or above the national average in all areas apart from Ladbroke Grove, Golborne & Swinbrook, Portobello and Chelsea Riverside West. For women, no areas are below the national average. Life expectancy for women in Hans Town is the fifth highest in the country (91 years).
A higher mortality rate among those aged 60 to 79 in deprived areas contribute the most to inequality in life expectancy. Mortality from cardiovascular disease, cancer and respiratory disease accounts for nearly 60% of the life expectancy gap nationally, and these are also the main contributors in Kensington and Chelsea. Heart disease, chronic lower respiratory disease and lung cancer are the biggest specific causes. Smoking and obesity are the key risk factors driving these conditions.