Havering Area Guide

Borough

Essex-bordering outer London borough with a suburban character and lower prices. This guide covers everything you need to know about living in Havering — from property prices and crime statistics to school ratings and transport links. All data comes from official UK government sources and is updated regularly.

£370k

Median property price ↑ 1.8%

59

Crimes per 1,000 residents

47

Schools (35 Good/Outstanding)

Moderate

Transport rating · Romford

About Havering

Overview

Essex-bordering outer London borough with a suburban character and lower prices. Located in London, Havering has a population of approximately 262,250 residents, making it a large borough by UK standards. The primary postcode area is RM1.

Havering sits within London and is well connected to neighbouring areas. The local property market is at the affordable end of the spectrum, with a median price of £370k that is 43% below the London average of £646k. The area has a low crime rate compared to similar areas.

Key facts about Havering

Nearest station: Romford
Part of London
High proportion of Good/Outstanding schools
Region: London
Population: ~262,250
Median property price: £370k
Crime rate: 59 per 1,000
Ofsted: 74% schools Good/Outstanding

Property prices in Havering (2026)

Based on HM Land Registry Price Paid data, updated regularly.

£370k

Median price

↑ 1.8%

Year-on-year change

Property market analysis

The median property price in Havering currently stands at £370k, placing it in the affordable segment of the London market. This is 43% below the London average of £646k. Over the past twelve months, prices in Havering have been edging upward, with a year-on-year change of +1.8%.

This moderate growth is consistent with the broader London market, where demand continues to be supported by limited housing stock and sustained interest from both first-time buyers and those moving from more expensive areas.

For context, the most affordable areas in London have median prices around £304k, while the most expensive areas reach £1.9M. Havering sits towards the more affordable end of this range.

What types of property are available? At this price level, buyers can access a range of property types including flats, terraced houses, and some semi-detached homes. This makes the area attractive to both first-time buyers and young families.

Crime and safety in Havering

Crime data sourced from Police.uk, which records all crimes reported to police forces across England and Wales.

Low crime 58.8 crimes per 1,000 residents

Crime rate analysis

Havering has a low crime rate of 58.8 offences per 1,000 residents per year. This is above the national average of 55 per 1,000. This is a reassuring figure for an area of this size and suggests a relatively safe environment for residents.

Understanding crime statistics: Raw crime numbers can be misleading without context. Areas with high footfall (shopping centres, transport hubs, nightlife) naturally record more incidents. The crimes-per-1,000-residents metric normalises for population size but does not account for visitors. When assessing safety, consider the types of crime most relevant to you — residential burglary and vehicle crime are more directly relevant to homeowners than shoplifting or public order offences.

For a full breakdown by crime category, monthly trends, and year-on-year comparison, sign up for Check Local's detailed safety report for Havering. Our AI-generated analysis puts the numbers in plain English so you can make an informed decision.

Schools in Havering

School data from the Department for Education (DfE) and Ofsted.

47

Total schools

74%

Good or Outstanding

Schools analysis

Havering has 47 schools in the local area, of which 35 (74%) have been rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. This represents a strong level of school quality. While the majority of schools perform well, parents should research individual schools carefully. Ofsted ratings can change between inspections, and a school's suitability depends on your child's specific needs.

Primary and secondary schools: The area serves families with children of all ages, with both primary and secondary schools available locally. With a large number of schools, parents have genuine choice in finding the right fit for their children.

Catchment areas and admissions: Most schools in Havering use distance-based admissions criteria, meaning the closer you live to a school, the more likely your child is to gain a place. Popular schools can have very tight catchment areas. Check Local's detailed schools report shows the distance from any address to every nearby school, with full Ofsted ratings and Key Stage results.

Transport and commuting in Havering

Moderate transport Nearest station: Romford

Transport links analysis

Havering has moderate transport links. While services are available, a car may be useful for some journeys, particularly during off-peak hours. The nearest railway station is Romford, providing regular services to surrounding areas. Transport connectivity data is sourced from NaPTAN, the official UK database of public transport access points.

Commuters from Havering should factor in travel times carefully. While bus services operate in the area, the nearest rail connections may require a short journey to reach.

Impact on property values: Transport links are one of the strongest predictors of property prices. Areas within walking distance of a station typically command a premium of 10-15% over areas further away. Planned transport improvements could be a catalyst for future price growth in Havering.

Living in Havering — lifestyle and amenities

Havering is a large borough in London with a population of around 262,250. Like many London locations, it offers a dense mix of shops, restaurants, pubs, and green spaces within walking distance.

Who lives in Havering? The affordable property prices make this area popular with first-time buyers, young families, and those looking for better value. It often attracts buyers priced out of more expensive neighbouring areas.

Green spaces and recreation: London benefits from an extensive network of parks and open spaces, and residents of Havering have access to both local green spaces and the capital's major parks.

Shopping and dining: Havering has a comprehensive selection of high street retailers, independent shops, and dining options ranging from casual cafes to fine dining.

Frequently asked questions about Havering

Is Havering a good place to live?

Havering is a large borough in London with a population of approximately 262,250. It has moderate transport links, 47 schools (74% rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted), and a median property price of £370k. The crime rate of 59 per 1,000 residents is low. Whether it suits you depends on your priorities — use Check Local to compare it with similar areas.

What are property prices like in Havering?

The median property price in Havering is £370k, which is 43% below the London average of £646k. Prices have been edging upward over the past year, with a year-on-year change of +1.8%. This is based on HM Land Registry Price Paid data. Check Local's full report includes breakdowns by property type, historical trends, and new build analysis.

How safe is Havering?

Havering records approximately 59 crimes per 1,000 residents annually, which is classified as low and is above the national average of 55 per 1,000. Crime data is sourced from Police.uk and covers all reported offences. The most common categories in urban areas typically include anti-social behaviour, violence, and shoplifting. Check Local provides a full breakdown by crime category with monthly trends.

What schools are in Havering?

There are 47 schools in and around Havering, of which 35 (74%) are rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. This is considered a strong performance. School data is sourced from the Department for Education (DfE) and Ofsted. Check Local provides detailed information including individual school ratings, Key Stage results, and proximity to your chosen address.

What is the transport like in Havering?

Havering has moderate transport links. The nearest station is Romford. Transport data is sourced from NaPTAN (the National Public Transport Access Nodes database). Check Local's full transport lens includes all nearby stations, bus stops, and service frequency data.

Where does this data come from?

All data in this Havering area guide is sourced from verified official UK government and public sector data providers. We combine property transaction records, crime statistics, school inspection data, transport network data, and census information to build a complete picture of every area.

We do not scrape, estimate, or fabricate any figures. Check Local processes and combines these official datasets to produce a unified area intelligence report. Our AI then generates plain-English narratives to help you understand what the numbers actually mean for your day-to-day life.