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, 429 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.
There are significant financial differences within the borough. Three of the most deprived wards in London are in the Royal Borough. Golborne being the most deprived in London. In 2022, Kensington and Chelsea’s unemployment rate was 5.9%, similar to the London average (5%) with rates varying by area. The average annual income in Golborne is £30,000, compared to £65,000 in more affluent areas (Campden).
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 5.9%, similar to the London average (5%).
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 £22,600. This is almost three times less than the equivalent figures for the Brompton and Hans Town area (£63,900). 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 4,650 children are eligible for free school meals.
Life expectancy
Kensington and Chelsea has the highest life expectancy for females in the country, and the fifth highest for males. The average man lives to 82, the average woman to 86. However, there are big differences in life expectancy across the borough.
Kensington and Chelsea has the fourth highest life expectancy gap in the country for women. For men, the gap is the seventh highest. Men can expect to live 17 years longer in Queen's Gate ward than in Notting Dale. Women in Holland ward live 18 years longer than those in Notting Dale.
This gap is driven by very high life expectancy in some areas of the borough. Life expectancy is similar or above the national average in all wards apart from Notting Dale (for men and women) and Dalgarno (for men only).
The top causes of death are similar in both the most and least deprived areas but there are more deaths at younger ages in the deprived areas. Circulatory causes (including stroke and heart disease) account for over 20% of the difference in life expectancy between the most and least deprived areas (20% for women and 24% for men). Lung cancer accounts for 15% of the difference for men, and other cancers for a further 8%. For women, cancer accounts for 13% of the difference.