Census reveals thousands of multi-faith households

 (Photo: Getty/iStock)

An analysis of data from the 2021 Census has revealed nearly 300,000 multi-faith households across England and Wales. 

Some 285,000 households in the two nations - 1.6% - were shown to have at least two different faiths under the same roof, according to the analysis by the PA news agency.

A further 81,800 homes (0.3%) had people belonging to three or more faiths. 

Hounslow and Westminster, in London, had the highest proportion of multi-faith households at 5.5% each. This was followed by Barnet and Harrow, both at 5.1%. 

The highest outside of London was Slough at 4.6%, followed by Hertsmere and Oxford (both 3.8%) and Cambridge (3.7%). 

In Wales, Cardiff was home to the highest proportion of multi-faith households (1.8%). 

Some 7.5m people - around a third of households across England and Wales - did not have any religion. 

Rev Richard Sudworth, the Church of England's national inter-religious affairs adviser, told Sky News that the findings pointed to "many stories of love, loyalty and mutual care across religious difference".

The 2021 Census revealed a further decline in the number of people identifying as Christian, falling below half for the first time. 

Figures released earlier this year also revealed that Christians are the oldest on average among people of faith in England and Wales.

While Christians had an average age of 51, Muslim were the youngest at 27 years old on average, followed by those with "no religion" - 32 years old.

News
Who was St Margaret of Scotland and why is she important?
Who was St Margaret of Scotland and why is she important?

16 November is the day when people remember St Margaret of Scotland. She was born in Hungary and became Queen of Scotland, where she restored the religious life of the country. This is her story …

What is really preventing peace between Israel and the Palestinians?
What is really preventing peace between Israel and the Palestinians?

There is a major roadblock on the way to peace but it's not what many of our church leaders think it is.

Scottish government urged to reject 'extreme' abortion up to birth proposals
Scottish government urged to reject 'extreme' abortion up to birth proposals

Christian and pro-life groups are calling on the Scottish government to reject "extreme" proposals to allow abortion up to birth.

Charity Commission tells Archbishops’ Council it 'must rapidly accelerate' safeguarding reforms
Charity Commission tells Archbishops’ Council it 'must rapidly accelerate' safeguarding reforms

The Church of England is not moving fast enough to implement promised safeguarding improvements, the Charity Commission has said.