More than 420,000 people removed their usual residence from London in the year to June 2025, according to a detailed analysis of Office for National Statistics data, with large flows to neighbouring counties changing transport, housing and public-service pressures across the region.
Where Londoners went
The ONS breakdown shows Buckinghamshire attracted the largest share of movers from the capital, with 11,414 people relocating there in the year to June 2025. Other top destinations in the home counties and nearby authorities included Thurrock (6,725), Epping Forest (6,216), Dartford (6,184) and Medway (5,811).
Within London, boroughs that experienced the greatest outflows included Newham, Lambeth, Tower Hamlets, Wandsworth, Ealing and Southwark, the ONS figures show.
- Buckinghamshire: 11,414 arrivals from London
- Thurrock (Essex): 6,725
- Epping Forest: 6,216
- Dartford: 6,184
- Medway (Kent): 5,811
Why people are leaving — and where they land
The data underlines a continued pattern since the Covid pandemic: the rise of home working has given many Londoners the option to live further from the city while keeping jobs tied to the capital. Buckinghamshire’s mix of market towns, commuter links and access to countryside around the Chilterns makes it a particular draw, according to the report.
Thurrock’s popularity reflects a different dynamic, linked in part to concentrated employment opportunities along the north bank of the Thames, including Grays and Tilbury Port. Several local authorities in Essex and Kent — historically commuter belts — also feature prominently among the top destinations.
Implications for transport and public services
Local authorities receiving significant numbers of new residents will face immediate practical consequences: pressure on school places, demand for primary care and local housing stock, and longer or new commuting patterns for those who continue to work in London.
| Destination | Number moving from London (year to June 2025) |
|---|---|
| Buckinghamshire | 11,414 |
| Thurrock (Essex) | 6,725 |
| Epping Forest | 6,216 |
| Dartford | 6,184 |
| Medway (Kent) | 5,811 |
| Basildon | 4,699 |
| Chelmsford | 3,900 |
Local consequences and context
For people still tied to London for work, the move can mean longer commutes and changed daily routines. For towns absorbing newcomers, the benefits include increased local spending and, in some cases, a replenishment of high street life — but councils must plan for additional demand on services.
Transport links will be critical. Many of the most popular destinations are on established rail and road corridors into central London. As hybrid working patterns endure for parts of the workforce, the nature of peak journeys is changing: more travel may be spread across the week rather than concentrated into weekday rush hours, but overall demand for cross-border services remains significant.
The figures also feed into wider debates about housing affordability and planning. Some families cited in the report are drawn by the prospect of larger homes and access to green space; others move for employment opportunities in expanding town centres outside the capital.
What this means for London
The capital is still attracting people overall in other years and remains a national economic hub, but the net outflow in this period will be closely watched by City Hall, transport bodies and boroughs trying to balance housing supply, infrastructure and local services with a shifting population.
For residents considering a move, the numbers underline a clear pattern: many are opting for neighbouring counties with fast connections to London or with distinct local job markets. Councils, transport operators and health providers will need to factor these continuing flows into planning and investment decisions.
These statistics cover the year to June 2025 and are taken from ONS data analysed in the recent report.
