Brixton is a district in the heart of the South London borough of Lambeth and is positioned between the areas of Streatham, Camberwell, Tulse Hill, Herne Hill, Balham, Stockwell and Clapham. It is one of London's 35 major centres and is known for both its diverse community and strong retail sector.
The average price for property in Brixton in 2021 was £597,438. This is notably more expensive than the area of Streatham Vale, which recorded an average price of £455,769. However property in Brixton was more affordable than in Clapham Common, where the average sold price was £917,290.
Most of the properties sold in Brixton in 2021 were flats, which fetched an average price of £476,845. There were also a number of terraced properties sold in the district which averaged £903,352, and Brixton's semi-detached properties recorded an average that just nudged into seven figures at £1,029,326.
While Brixton's property prices fell by 2% between 2020 and 2021, they are still 7% higher than in 2016 when the peak average was £557,958.
What is it like living in Brixton?
There is some debate as to whether the renaissance Brixton has experienced in recent decades is simply regeneration or gentrification. There is no denying that Brixton's central location and bohemian art scene has attracted wealthier residents, however the district is still incredibly diverse and benefits from the variety of shops, restaurants, pop up street food vendors, cafés, delicatessens and more that only thrive in genuinely diverse areas. Brixton's religious sites reflect this diversity, and includes numerous Christian churches and Brixton Mosque, which is one of the oldest in South London.
Brixton is home to several of the largest housing estates in inner London, including Stockwell Park, Somerleyton and Loughborough. There are also numerous smaller housing estates, including Caldwell Gardens and Church Manor, and a significant percentage of Brixton's population live on one of the estates. Brixton is also home to a variety of Victorian terraces and semi-detached properties, some of which remain as complete homes and some of which have been converted into apartments.
One of the most famous parts of Brixton is the market, which is open daily and is renowned for its selection of produce from Africa and the Caribbean. There are also Vietnamese and Indian supermarkets around the market, as well as South American butchers. A farmers' market is open every Sunday, with vendors offering a wide variety of local produce.
Living in Brixton pros and cons
Pro: Brixton is served by an extensive transport network
Brixton station is on the Victoria line which offers connectivity to Walthamstow Central in East London. It is served by numerous bus routes, including five night buses that provide an all-night service.
Brixton railway station is positioned on the Chatham Main Line and is served by Southeastern services offering connections to London Victoria, Bromley South and Orpington.
Road connectivity in the area is also excellent, as Brixton is on several main roads. The A2217, A204 and A203 offers routes to Vauxhall Bridge, and the A23 connects the capital to Brighton.
Con: Brixton is within the ULEZ zone
This excellent road connectivity does have some downsides. As the district is within the expanded ULEZ zone, daily charges apply to vehicles that don't meet emissions standards. This £12.50 fee can quickly add up, making vehicle ownership significantly more expensive that it would otherwise be.
Pro: Brixton has a strong cultural scene
Following the 1980s riots, the council funded a series of murals and Brixton is now renowned for its street art depicting everything from nature to politics and community. One of the most notable murals in recent years featured Michelle Obana and was completed by Dreph in 2018.
The Grade II listed Ritzy Cinema is on Coldharbour Lane and was one of the first purpose-build cinemas in England. Today it is no longer independent, however it continues to be a popular entertainment venue in the area. In terms of nightlife, the district has a lot to offer, including Brixton Academy which has hosted an array of musicians from Madonna to BABYMETAL, Bob Dylan and Arcade Fire. Additionally the area's smaller venues, such as Jamm and The Windmill, play a significant role in the capital's live music scene.
Another notable location in Brixton is the Stockwell Skatepark, which is also referred to as 'Brixton Beach' or 'Brixton Bowls' and has been welcoming new and experienced skaters since the late 1970s. As such, it has been recognised by Lambeth Borough Council as an 'Asset of Community Value'.
Is Brixton a safe place to live?
Brixton is primarily situated within the Coldharbour SNT area, which saw 5,538 criminal offences recorded between February 2020 and January 2022. This indicates that while crime in the area was higher than in many other Lambeth districts, it was lower than the levels seen in Bishop's, which is Lambeth's most northerly SNT area.
When breaking down that figure in a bit more detail, we can see that there were 1,683 violent crimes recorded alongside 1,307 cases of theft, 627 drug offences and 451 public order offences. Crime peaked in August 2020, when more than 300 crimes were reported during a four-week period. Notably crime decreased significantly between November and December 2021, falling from 262 to 193 reports.
Looking at November 2021 in more depth, it becomes clear that there were 42 reports of violent crime, 33 cases categorised as miscellaneous theft and 32 drug incidents. The area around Brixton station is a particular crime hotspot, with the Loughborough Road area seeing several drug offences. Overall, there were 15 crimes per 1,000 residents recorded in Brixton during this month. This compares to nine crimes per 1,000 residents across the borough of Lambeth, and eight crimes per 1,000 residents in London.
Which celebrities live in Brixton?
There are several English Heritage blue plaques in Brixton marking the residences of music hall comedian Dan Leno and activist and writer C. L. R. James, however Brixton also has numerous other celebrity connections.
Musician David Bowie was born in a property on Stansfield Road, poet Linton Kwesi Johnson has resided in Brixton for many years as has drum and bass producer Jumpin Jack Frost. Two members of The Clash, Mick Jones and Paul Simonon are from Brixton, Basement Jaxx formed in the area in the early 1990s, and Sharon Osbourne was born in Brixton in 1952. The area's musical connections don't end there as Big Narstie, several members of So Solid Crew and singers La Roux, Lisa Maffia and Skin grew up in Brixton.
Several politicians have also lived in the area, including former Mayor of London Ken Livingstone and former Prime Minister John Major.
Things to consider when moving to Brixton
If there's one thing you need to know about Brixton residents, it's that they are extremely passionate about the district they call home. It's not perfect, but it does have a level of diversity and community that you just can't find in many other places. It's also one of those few precious locations where everything you need is easily accessible in the local area.
The area is home to numerous flats and apartments, which combined with its central location makes it ideal for commuters. Just note that the Victoria line gets extremely busy at peak times. There are also many advantages to living in Brixton for growing families, including several 'Outstanding' rated schools such as Sudbourne Primary, Platanos College and Jessop Primary.