Resident population
Richmond upon Thames had about 195,200 residents at the 2021 Census, up from 186,990 in 2011, forming a large 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.
Richmond upon Thames had about 195,200 residents at the 2021 Census, up from 186,990 in 2011, forming a large customer base and workforce in South West London.
Population at the 2021 CensusRichmond and Kew Gardens are served by the District line and the London Overground (Mildmay line), while National Rail stations including Twickenham, Teddington, Barnes and Hampton connect the borough with Central London and the wider region.
Tube, Overground and rail connectedThe council divides the borough into 14 loosely bounded villages, including Ham and Petersham, Hampton Hill, Hampton Wick, Strawberry Hill and Whitton, alongside main centres such as Richmond, Twickenham, Teddington, Kew and Barnes.
Key business locations across the boroughRichmond upon Thames is an Outer London borough and the only one to straddle the River Thames, with 21 miles of river frontage, bordering Kingston upon Thames, Wandsworth and Hounslow.
Approximately 57 square kilometresRichmond Park, Bushy Park and Old Deer Park sit alongside Kew Gardens, Hampton Court Palace and Twickenham Stadium, with roughly half the borough made up of parkland.
Parks, heritage and sportThe London Borough of Richmond upon Thames was created on 1 April 1965 under the London Government Act 1963, merging the municipal boroughs of Richmond, Barnes and Twickenham.
Only London borough to straddle the Thames
The London Borough of Richmond upon Thames is an Outer London borough on both banks of the River Thames, home to around 195,000 residents. Created in 1965 from the municipal boroughs of Richmond, Barnes and Twickenham, it brings together Richmond, Twickenham, Teddington, Hampton, Kew, Barnes, Mortlake and East Sheen, giving the borough a mix of riverside towns, historic villages, parks and busy local high streets.
For customers, Richmond upon Thames offers busy town centres, independent retailers, restaurants, cafés, healthcare providers, property specialists and professional services across its main business areas. For businesses, the borough provides access to a large local population, visitors drawn by Kew Gardens, Hampton Court Palace, Richmond Park and Twickenham Stadium, and Underground, Overground and National Rail links into Central London.
Richmond upon Thames combines District line, Overground and National Rail links, major parks and heritage attractions, busy town centres and riverside, and a large local customer base, creating opportunities for businesses of different sizes and sectors.
The District line and London Overground (Mildmay line) at Richmond and Kew Gardens, together with National Rail stations including Twickenham, Teddington, Barnes and Hampton, give businesses convenient access to Central London and the wider region.
Kew Gardens, Hampton Court Palace, Twickenham Stadium, Richmond Park and the WWT London Wetlands Centre draw visitors from across London and beyond, supporting demand for hospitality, retail, catering and local services.
Richmond, Twickenham, Teddington, Hampton, Kew, Barnes, Mortlake and East Sheen offer local high streets close to customers, and the council’s 14 villages give businesses a choice of neighbourhood locations.
Richmond Theatre, the Orange Tree Theatre, Richmond upon Thames College and the German School London add to local activity and bring people to the area who support restaurants, cafés and service providers.
Richmond Park, Bushy Park, Old Deer Park and 21 miles of Thames frontage give businesses, residents and visitors access to open space alongside busy town centres, with roughly half the borough made up of parkland.
With about 195,200 residents at the 2021 Census, up from 186,990 in 2011, plus visitors and employers such as the National Physical Laboratory and The National Archives, Richmond upon Thames offers businesses a large local market in South West London.
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Richmond upon Thames combines riverside towns, historic villages, major parks and green space, and District line, Overground and National Rail links, with access to employment across retail, hospitality, leisure, education, tourism, professional services and public bodies.
Richmond upon Thames offers a varied mix of housing across its riverside towns and villages, from Richmond, Twickenham and Teddington to Kew, Barnes, Hampton and East Sheen. Residential use is the predominant land use in the borough.
Riverside towns and villagesHousing, retail and commercial costs can vary across the borough, with Richmond, Barnes, East Sheen and parts of Twickenham among the higher house-price areas in Outer London, so residents and businesses should compare costs carefully when choosing a location.
Costs vary by areaResidents, workers and visitors benefit from the District line and London Overground (Mildmay line) at Richmond and Kew Gardens, plus National Rail stations including Twickenham, Teddington, Barnes, Mortlake and Hampton, with services towards central London and Reading and many TfL bus routes. Underground coverage is more limited than in other West London boroughs.
District line, Overground and railRichmond Park, Bushy Park, Old Deer Park, Hampton Court Park and the Thames riverside are among the borough’s best-known open spaces, with roughly half the borough made up of parkland and over 100 parks and open spaces for exercise, recreation and community events.
Parks and Thames riversideRichmond upon Thames has a wide range of schools and colleges, including Richmond upon Thames College, and is home to the German School London. Education is also an important local employer and a source of skills and talent for businesses across the borough.
Schools, colleges and skillsEmployment spans retail, property and professional services, tourism around Kew Gardens, Hampton Court Palace and Twickenham Stadium, and major institutions such as the National Physical Laboratory and The National Archives, alongside education and local services.
Diverse employment opportunitiesLocal consideration: Richmond upon Thames combines riverside towns, historic villages and extensive parkland on both banks of the Thames. Property costs, transport access, customer footfall and the character of local business areas can vary between Richmond, Twickenham, Teddington and other parts of the borough.
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Explore common questions about living, working and doing business in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.
Richmond upon Thames is an Outer London borough in South West London with around 195,000 residents, known for Richmond Park, Kew Gardens, Hampton Court Palace and Twickenham Stadium. It is the only London borough to straddle the River Thames.
Richmond, Twickenham, Teddington, Hampton, Kew, Barnes, Mortlake and East Sheen are the borough’s main communities and business areas. The council also groups the borough into 14 villages, including Ham and Petersham, Hampton Hill, Hampton Wick, Strawberry Hill and Whitton, along with local parades and high streets across the borough.
Richmond, Twickenham, Teddington and Barnes have busy local high streets, restaurants and cafés, while Richmond Theatre and the Orange Tree Theatre offer live performance. Kew Gardens, Hampton Court Palace, Twickenham Stadium, the WWT London Wetlands Centre and Richmond Park attract leisure visitors.
Richmond upon Thames supports businesses across retail, property development and professional services, tourism, education, scientific and public institutions such as the National Physical Laboratory and The National Archives, and a wide range of local professional and personal services.
Yes. The District line and London Overground (Mildmay line) serve Richmond and Kew Gardens, while National Rail stations including Twickenham, Teddington, Barnes, Mortlake and Hampton link the borough with central London and Reading. Underground coverage is more limited than in other West London boroughs, but many TfL bus routes connect the main town centres.
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