Resident population
Kingston upon Thames had 168,065 residents at the 2021 Census, up from 160,060 in 2011, forming a growing customer base and workforce in South West London.
Population at the 2021 Census
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Explore key facts covering the borough’s population, transport links, business areas, geographical area, heritage and borough identity.
Kingston upon Thames had 168,065 residents at the 2021 Census, up from 160,060 in 2011, forming a growing customer base and workforce in South West London.
Population at the 2021 CensusNine South Western Railway stations, including Kingston, Surbiton, New Malden, Norbiton and Tolworth, offer regular services to London Waterloo and connect the borough’s businesses and customers with Central London and the wider region.
Well connected South West London boroughKingston town centre is the principal shopping and commercial hub, with Surbiton, New Malden, Tolworth and Chessington among the other main business and high street areas.
Key business locations across the boroughKingston upon Thames is an outer London borough on the south bank of the Thames, stretching from Kingston and Surbiton to Tolworth and Chessington and combining a major town centre, riverside walks and suburban high streets.
Approximately 37 square kilometresThe Coronation Stone outside Kingston’s Guildhall marks where seven Anglo-Saxon kings are said to have been crowned, alongside landmarks such as All Saints’ Church, the Rose Theatre and the Thames riverside.
Heritage and riversideThe Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames was created in 1965 under the London Government Act 1963, bringing together the former municipal boroughs of Kingston upon Thames, Malden and Coombe, and Surbiton.
Oldest of England’s four royal boroughs
The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames is one of South West London’s best-known boroughs, home to around 168,000 residents on the banks of the River Thames. Kingston, Surbiton, New Malden and Tolworth are its main commercial centres, giving the borough a mix of a historic market town, major shopping, riverside streets and busy suburban high streets.
For customers, Kingston upon Thames offers a large shopping centre, a historic market, independent retailers, restaurants, cafés, healthcare providers, property specialists and professional services across its main business areas. For businesses, the borough provides access to a growing local population, visitors drawn by its riverside, heritage and attractions, and direct rail links into Central London.
Kingston upon Thames combines direct rail links to Waterloo, a major shopping centre and historic market, riverside and heritage attractions, a growing local customer base and open green space, creating opportunities for businesses of different sizes and sectors.
Nine South Western Railway stations, including Kingston, Surbiton, New Malden and Tolworth, offer direct services to London Waterloo, while local bus routes and road links connect businesses with Central London and the wider South West London region.
Chessington World of Adventures, the Rose Theatre, the Coronation Stone, the Thames riverside and the Kingston Gate of Richmond Park draw visitors from across London and beyond, supporting demand for hospitality, retail, catering and local services.
Kingston town centre, Surbiton, New Malden, Tolworth and Chessington are among the main commercial areas, giving businesses a choice of high street locations close to local customers.
The Bentall Centre and Kingston’s historic market make the town centre one of South West London’s main shopping destinations, bringing shoppers who support restaurants, cafés and service providers.
All Saints’ Church, the Coronation Stone, the Thames riverside and Richmond Park give businesses, residents and visitors access to heritage and green space alongside busy shopping streets.
With 168,065 residents at the 2021 Census, up from 160,060 in 2011, plus students at Kingston University and employers such as Sega Amusements International and Lidl GB, Kingston upon Thames offers businesses a growing local market in South West London.
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Kingston upon Thames combines a historic riverside market town, suburban neighbourhoods, major shopping, direct rail links to Waterloo and open green space, with access to employment across retail, hospitality, leisure, education, healthcare and professional services.
Kingston upon Thames offers a varied mix of housing, from riverside flats and period homes around Kingston town centre to the Victorian streets of Surbiton and the suburban neighbourhoods of New Malden, Tolworth and Chessington. Residential areas include Kingston, Surbiton, New Malden, Tolworth, Chessington, Norbiton and Ham.
Riverside and suburban homesHousing, retail and commercial costs can vary across the borough. Kingston town centre and riverside locations can differ from Tolworth, New Malden and Chessington, so residents and businesses should compare costs carefully when choosing a location.
Costs vary by areaResidents, workers and visitors benefit from nine South Western Railway stations, including Kingston, Surbiton, New Malden, Norbiton, Berrylands, Tolworth, Malden Manor and Chessington North and South, with services to London Waterloo. The borough has no Underground stations, and local bus routes link the main town centres.
Direct rail to WaterlooRichmond Park (via the Kingston Gate) and the River Thames are among the borough’s best-known open spaces, alongside local parks and riverside walks, with room for exercise, recreation, family activities and community events.
Riverside and open spacesKingston University is a major local institution, alongside a wide range of schools and colleges. Education is also an important local employer and a source of skills and talent for businesses across Kingston, Surbiton and the wider borough.
University, schools and skillsEmployment spans retail and hospitality in Kingston town centre, leisure and tourism at Chessington World of Adventures, offices and headquarters such as Lidl GB in Tolworth and Sega Amusements International in Chessington, education, healthcare and local professional services.
Diverse employment opportunitiesLocal consideration: Kingston upon Thames combines a historic market town with suburban neighbourhoods, major shopping and green space beside the Thames. Property costs, transport access, customer footfall and the character of local business areas can vary between Kingston, Surbiton, New Malden, Tolworth and other parts of the borough.
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Explore common questions about living, working and doing business in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames.
Kingston upon Thames is a Royal Borough in South West London with around 168,000 residents, known for its historic market town centre on the Thames, the Coronation Stone, the Bentall Centre shopping centre, the Rose Theatre, Chessington World of Adventures and the Kingston Gate of Richmond Park. It is the oldest of England’s four royal boroughs.
Kingston town centre is the borough’s principal commercial and shopping centre, with Surbiton, New Malden, Tolworth and Chessington among the other main business areas. Businesses can also be found around Norbiton, Berrylands, Malden Manor, Kingston Vale and Ham, along with local parades and high streets across the borough.
Kingston town centre is the main destination for shopping, with the Bentall Centre, the historic market and riverside cafés and restaurants, while the Rose Theatre offers live performance. Surbiton, New Malden and Tolworth have busy local high streets, New Malden is known for its Korean restaurants, and Chessington World of Adventures attracts leisure visitors.
Kingston upon Thames supports businesses across retail, hospitality and leisure, tourism, education, healthcare, property, professional services, offices and headquarters, and a wide range of local professional and personal services.
Yes. The borough has nine South Western Railway stations, including Kingston, Surbiton, New Malden, Norbiton, Berrylands, Tolworth, Malden Manor and Chessington North and South, with services to London Waterloo. There are no Underground stations, but local bus routes and road links connect the main town centres with Central London and the wider region.
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