Welcome to Waltham Forest

The London Borough of Waltham Forest is a fantastic and exciting place to work. 

We are a highly ambitious borough. Driven by culture and the innate creativity of our residents, we have developed new and innovative ways to build our communities. Our Council is relentlessly resident-focused, insight-led, digitally driven and commercially minded; a Council focused on meeting the needs of our existing and future residents. 

Waltham Forest is a lively and distinctive part of northeast London, known for its mix of cultural character, green spaces, heritage, and a strong sense of community. Spread across four main neighbourhoods - Chingford, Leyton, Leytonstone and Walthamstow - the area offers a blend of historic high streets, independent shops, creative hubs, and welcoming local centres. Each neighbourhood has its own personality, yet all share a similar energy, shaped by the people who live and work here.

One of Waltham Forest’s defining features is its diversity. Residents come from a wide range of cultural backgrounds, bringing languages, traditions, and perspectives that enrich daily life. This diversity is visible everywhere - from local markets and schools to food culture, festivals, and community events.

The borough has built a strong reputation for creativity and culture, with landmarks like the William Morris Gallery, Walthamstow Wetlands, Soho Theatre Walthamstow, and a thriving grassroots scene, where local artists, makers, and small businesses play a central role in shaping the borough’s identity.

Waltham Forest also benefits from its balance of urban living and access to nature. With Epping Forest to the north and the Lea Valley to the west, residents enjoy extensive green spaces, walking routes, and outdoor activities. This connection to nature sits comfortably alongside good transport links into central London, making the borough appealing to a wide range of people.

Above all, Waltham Forest is known for its community spirit. Whether through local initiatives, neighbourhood groups, or cultural celebrations, people come together to support one another and take pride in the place they call home.

About Waltham Forest

• An estimated 276,000 residents call Waltham Forest home
• The median age of residents is 36.3 years compared to the England average of 40 years. 
• Our borough is one of the most diverse areas in the country. An estimated 47 per cent of our residents are from a minority ethnic background. 
• The top five languages spoken locally other than English are Romanian, Urdu, Bulgarian, Polish, Turkish and Spanish.
• 94.3 per cent of enterprises in the borough are micro businesses employing fewer than ten people
• As of September 2024, 84 per cent of working age residents between the ages of 16 to 64 are in employment as either employees or self-employed. This is lower than the figure for London which stands at 74.6 per cent and lower than the England average of 75.8 per cent.
• In 2024, the median weekly earnings for full-time working residents was £839.70 per week. This was lower than the median income for London £853.40 and higher than the median income for England £732.00.
• Waltham Forest has a deprivation score of 25.209, it is ranked number 12 most deprived out of all London Boroughs (excluding the City of London) and number 79 most deprived out of all 317 authorities in England. (LG inform) (2019 Indices of Deprivation)

What Our Residents Think About Us

Our latest Resident Insight Survey (spring 2025) tells us:

• 75 per cent of residents trust the Council, surpassing the national benchmark by 25 percentage points.
• 85 per cent of residents are satisfied with their local area.
• 68 per cent think the Council does well at keeping residents informed (national benchmark of 47 per cent).
• 64 per cent believe the Council acts on the concerns of local residents.
• 52 per cent agree the Council provides value for money (national benchmark of 36 per cent).
• 68 per cent believe people in the borough have an equal chance of succeeding regardless of their background.