Southwark area report

Highlights

Southwark is a London borough with a population of 307637. The median property price is 517040, with flats comprising 78.0 per cent of housing stock. Prices have remained relatively stable over five years, rising 1.1 per cent. The affordability ratio stands at 10.8, improving from a five-year average of 12.3. Crime recorded 4229 incidents in May 2026, equivalent to 13.7 per thousand residents, with anti-social behaviour and violent crime the most prevalent categories. Educational attainment is strong, with 54.9 per cent of residents holding level 4 or above qualifications. The area has 68 primary schools and 19 secondary schools; 49 of 51 Ofsted-rated schools are rated good or better. Life expectancy is 79.6 years for males and 83.7 years for females. Employment stands at 65.2 per cent, with 48.4 per cent working from home. The area experiences elevated nitrogen dioxide levels at 22.8 annual mean, and 69.2 per cent falls within flood zones. Public transport connectivity is strong, with 18 rail stations and 0.7 kilometres to the nearest station.

Data updated 2026/27 (tax); 2025 (control). Southwark, London — a free, sourced local-area report from Acreright. Every figure shows its source and date; where the data isn't reliable we say so rather than guess.

Within London, Southwark ranks 16th cheapest of 33, 27th safest and 5th most affordable.

What does it cost?

• £518,000 median home price (HM Land Registry Price Paid + UK HPI, Apr 2026)

Sold prices in Southwark have risen 1% over the last five years (UK House Price Index).

How safe is it?

• 13.7 recorded crimes per 1,000 people (police.uk, May 2026)

Who lives here?

• 307,635 residents (ONS Census 2021 (Nomis), 2021)

About 35% of neighbourhoods in England are more deprived than Southwark (English Indices of Deprivation, decile 4 of 10, national basis).

Schools

• 96% of inspected schools rated Good or Outstanding (Get Information About Schools (GIAS) + Ofsted inspections MI, 2026)

Health

• 79.6 · 83.7 yrs life expectancy (men · women) (NHS ODS register (GP/dentist/pharmacy) + OSM (hospitals) + IoD2025 health domain + OHID Fingertips (outcomes), 2026/2025)

Getting around

• ≈10 min fastest train to London (OpenStreetMap + National Rail timetable (ATOC/RDG, GTFS), 2026)
• 82% of premises can get gigabit broadband (Ofcom Connected Nations 2024, Jul 2024)

Has it been a good investment?

Of homes in Southwark that changed hands in the last five years, 16.2% sold for less than the previous owner paid — 1.5 points below London (17.7%) (nominal, not inflation-adjusted). Across those resales the typical gain was 21.36% over 8.71 years held.

Investment context: a gross rental yield of about 6.1% (area median rent against the median sold price) — appraise a specific property at /appraisal/southwark.

Compare every area in London: London area guide & rankings.

Nearby areas we cover: City of London, Lambeth, Tower Hamlets.