Resident population
Havering had 262,052 residents at the 2021 Census, up from 237,232 in 2011, forming a growing local customer base and workforce in London’s easternmost borough.
Population at the 2021 Census
Discover local businesses, shops, restaurants, professional services and growing companies across London’s easternmost borough, from Romford’s historic market to the garden suburbs of Hornchurch and Upminster and the Green Belt countryside beyond.
Explore key facts covering Havering’s population, town centres, geographical area, Green Belt, local heritage and borough identity.
Havering had 262,052 residents at the 2021 Census, up from 237,232 in 2011, forming a growing local customer base and workforce in London’s easternmost borough.
Population at the 2021 CensusRomford Market has existed since 1247 and is the founding institution of the historic town of Romford, the borough’s principal town and administrative centre.
Historic trading heritageHavering has seven town centres, with Romford as the principal town and Hornchurch and Upminster the other main retail centres, each with extensive high street shopping.
Key business locations across the boroughHavering is an outer London borough and the third largest in London by area, with a lower population density than most boroughs because large areas are parkland and Green Belt.
Approximately 111 square kilometresMore than half of Havering, around 23 square miles, is protected Metropolitan Green Belt, giving the borough extensive parkland and open countryside.
Protected Green Belt and open spaceThe London Borough of Havering was created in 1965 under the London Government Act 1963, covering the former Municipal Borough of Romford and Hornchurch Urban District.
London borough formed in April 1965
The London Borough of Havering is London’s easternmost borough, an outer London borough of around 262,000 residents and, at 43 square miles, the third largest in the capital. Romford, the principal town and home to a market dating back to 1247, is joined by Hornchurch and Upminster as main retail centres, while more than half of the borough is protected Green Belt, giving Havering a distinctive mix of busy town centres, garden suburbs and open countryside.
For customers, Havering offers high street shops, independent retailers, restaurants, hospitality venues, healthcare providers, property specialists and professional services across its seven town centres. For businesses, the borough provides access to a growing local population, established town centres and transport connections into Central London and neighbouring Essex.
Havering combines strong East London and Essex-border connectivity, historic and modern town centres, a growing local customer base, regeneration along the Thames riverside and extensive Green Belt surroundings, creating opportunities for businesses of different sizes and sectors.
Elizabeth line, District line and c2c rail services, together with bus and road connections, give businesses convenient access to Central London, neighbouring Essex and destinations across the wider region.
The southern part of Havering lies within the London Riverside area, a part of the borough seeing increasing development and population change, which creates new opportunities for local businesses.
Havering has seven town centres, with Romford as the principal town and Hornchurch and Upminster as the other main retail centres, giving businesses a choice of high street locations close to local customers.
Romford Market has existed since 1247, giving the borough’s principal town a long tradition of local trading and a strong identity for retailers, food businesses and service providers.
More than half of Havering, around 23 square miles, is protected Metropolitan Green Belt, giving businesses, residents and visitors access to parkland and countryside alongside busy town centres.
With 262,052 residents at the 2021 Census, up from 237,232 in 2011, Havering offers businesses a growing local market, and it recorded the largest increase in 0–4 year-olds of any area in England.
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Havering combines strong East London and Essex-border connectivity, garden suburbs, seven town centres, extensive Green Belt countryside and access to employment across retail, hospitality, health, logistics, education, property and construction.
Havering offers a varied mix of housing, from traditional suburban streets and garden suburbs such as Gidea Park to post-war estates in Harold Hill and modern apartments in and around Romford town centre. Residential areas include Romford, Hornchurch, Upminster, Rainham, Elm Park and Collier Row.
Garden suburbs and town centresHousing, retail and commercial costs vary across the borough. Popular locations such as Upminster, Emerson Park and Gidea Park can differ considerably from other neighbourhoods, so residents and businesses should compare costs carefully when choosing a location.
Varied outer London pricingResidents, workers and visitors benefit from Elizabeth line services at Romford, Gidea Park and Harold Wood, District line services to Hornchurch and Upminster, c2c rail services and extensive bus links, with road connections including the A12, A127 and M25.
Excellent London connectivityHavering Country Park, Bedfords Park, Raphael Park, Harrow Lodge Park and RSPB Rainham Marshes are among the local parks and open spaces, supported by Green Belt covering more than half the borough, with room for exercise, recreation, family activities and community events.
Parks and open countrysideThe borough is supported by a wide range of schools, further and higher education colleges and training providers. Education is also an important local employer and a source of skills and talent for businesses across Romford, Hornchurch, Upminster and the wider borough.
Schools, colleges and skillsEmployment spans retail and hospitality in the town centres, healthcare including Queen’s Hospital in Romford, and logistics, industry and construction along the Thames riverside, alongside education, property and professional services businesses throughout the borough.
Diverse employment opportunitiesLocal consideration: Havering combines established residential neighbourhoods with busy town centres, riverside regeneration areas and Green Belt countryside. Property costs, transport access, customer footfall and the character of local business areas can vary between Romford, Hornchurch, Upminster, Rainham and other parts of the borough.
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Explore common questions about living, working and doing business in the London Borough of Havering.
Havering is London’s easternmost borough, an outer London borough of around 262,000 residents, known for Romford and its historic market dating back to 1247, the garden suburbs of Hornchurch and Upminster, and extensive Green Belt countryside covering more than half of the borough.
Romford is the borough’s principal town and commercial centre, with Hornchurch and Upminster as the other main retail centres among Havering’s seven town centres. Businesses can also be found around Rainham, Harold Hill, Collier Row, Elm Park and Gidea Park, along with local parades and high streets across the borough.
Romford is the main destination for shopping and nightlife, with its historic market, shopping centres such as The Liberty and The Brewery, and the Brookside Theatre, while Hornchurch and Upminster have popular high streets with independent shops, cafés and restaurants. The Queen’s Theatre in Hornchurch also hosts performances and community events.
Havering supports businesses across retail and hospitality in its town centres, healthcare, education, property and construction, logistics and industry along the Thames riverside, and a wide range of local professional and personal services.
Yes. The borough benefits from Elizabeth line services at Romford, Gidea Park and Harold Wood, District line services to Hornchurch and Upminster, c2c rail services and extensive bus connections, with road links including the A12, A127 and M25. These provide convenient access to Central London, neighbouring Essex and the wider region.
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