Balham
vs Northcote

Balham has the younger population: 30% of residents are aged 15–29, against 19% in Northcote. Homes in Northcote sold for a median of £1,250,000, 66% above Balham. Northcote has more green space nearby (19% within 500 m, against 7%).

Balham

319 postcodes

Northcote

206 postcodes

Wandsworth

city average

People

Balham has 17,709 residents in 7,410 households; Northcote has 12,859 in 4,614. Balham has the higher share of residents aged 65 and over: 10%, 1.3 percentage points more than Northcote (Wandsworth: 10%). Balham has the higher share of people living alone: 28%, 8.4 percentage points more than Northcote (Wandsworth: 30%).

17,709Residents (2021)

12,859Residents (2021)

327,506Residents (2021)

7,410Households

4,614Households

137,392Households

30.2%Aged 15–29

18.6%Aged 15–29

25.8%Aged 15–29

9.6%Aged 65 and over

8.3%Aged 65 and over

9.6%Aged 65 and over

27.9%Living alone

19.5%Living alone

29.9%Living alone

Homes and prices

The most common type of home is flats in Balham (29%) and terraced houses in Northcote (49%). Northcote has the higher share of owner-occupied homes: 62%, 12.5 percentage points more than Balham (Wandsworth: 43%). Balham has the higher share of private renting: 38%, 8.3 percentage points more than Northcote (Wandsworth: 36%). Over two years, homes sold for a median of £752,000 in Balham and £1,250,000 in Northcote, against £640,000 across Wandsworth.

£752,000Median sale price

£1,250,000Median sale price

£640,000Median sale price

49.6%Owner-occupied

62.1%Owner-occupied

42.5%Owner-occupied

37.6%Private renting

29.3%Private renting

36.3%Private renting

11.8%Social renting

8.3%Social renting

19.3%Social renting

2.0%Detached houses

2.1%Detached houses

2.2%Detached houses

9.5%Semi-detached houses

7.0%Semi-detached houses

27.9%Terraced houses

49.3%Terraced houses

22.2%Terraced houses

29.2%Flats

10.5%Flats

48.1%Flats

Surroundings

Northcote has the higher share of land within 500 m that is green space: 19%, 11.4 percentage points more than Balham (Wandsworth: 12%). A typical postcode has 279 everyday shops and services within a 15-minute walk in Balham, and 351 in Northcote. The typical postcode is 232 m from the nearest school in Balham and 239 m in Northcote. The typical postcode is 388 m from the nearest tram stop or railway station in Balham and 853 m in Northcote. Gigabit-capable broadband reaches 94% of premises in Balham and 99% in Northcote.

7.2%Green space within 500 m

18.6%Green space within 500 m

11.6%Green space within 500 m

279Services within 15 min (median)

351Services within 15 min (median)

346Services within 15 min (median)

232 mNearest school (median)

239 mNearest school (median)

–Nearest school (median)

388 mNearest tram or rail (median)

853 mNearest tram or rail (median)

–Nearest tram or rail (median)

0Postcodes in flood risk areas

1,194Postcodes in flood risk areas

94.4%Gigabit broadband (premises)

98.5%Gigabit broadband (premises)

89.5%Gigabit broadband (premises)

Safety

Over 12 months, police recorded 124 crimes and incidents per 1,000 residents in Balham and 52 in Northcote, against 101 across Wandsworth. Police.uk records crimes by approximate location, not by where victims or offenders live. Busy streets, shops, stations and nightlife record more. Figures are counts, not a measure of personal risk.

124Recorded crime per 1,000 residents

52Recorded crime per 1,000 residents

101Recorded crime per 1,000 residents

Sources: Census 2021 (ONS) · HM Land Registry Price Paid Data · official school registers · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Environment Agency · data.police.uk, 12 months to Aug 2026 · Ofcom Connected Nations

In brief.

Each ward in a few lines, from its own page.

Balham

Balham is one of 22 wards in Wandsworth, home to 17,709 people in 7,410 households (Census 2021). Homes sold for a median of £752,000 over the past two years, 18% above the Wandsworth median. On average 7% of the land within 500 metres of a home postcode is green space — 38% below the Wandsworth average.

Northcote

Northcote is one of 22 wards in Wandsworth, home to 12,859 people in 4,614 households (Census 2021). Homes sold for a median of £1,250,000 over the past two years, 95% above the Wandsworth median. On average 19% of the land within 500 metres of a home postcode is green space — 60% above the Wandsworth average.

More comparisons.

Balham and Northcote next to other wards of Wandsworth.

Balham vs Trinity Balham vs South Balham Balham vs Lavender Northcote vs Lavender Northcote vs Falconbrook Northcote vs Trinity All wards of Wandsworth

Balhamvs Northcote