The area has a history of student inhabitation, with Leeds Metropolitan University having a campus at Beckett Park in Headingley. Much of the housing around Kirkstall Lane is rented to students. The conversion of Leeds Polytechnic into a University and its subsequent growth has brought about an increased student population in Headingley in the last ten years.

Throughout Headingley's modern era, the Rugby and Cricket stadiums have been significant in the fabric of the area. A major England test match or a Rugby League derby brings many spectators to the area. The cricket ground has been enlarged in recent years to maintain its eligibility for test matches while in 2006 the Eastern terraces on the Rugby ground was replaced with the current Carnegie stand. The winter shed cricket pavilion is currently (as of May 2009) being replaced with a new stand and media centre.

Headingley has two renowned fish and chip shops/ fish restaurants who have been serving since the 1930s: Brett's, a 19th century stone building on North Lane, and Bryan's, a more modern building on Weetwood Lane. There are several pubs and bars plus extensive shopping areas. The pub Headingley Taps is so called because it was formerly a water pumping station. In the Headingley Arndale Centre there is a Sainsbury's, Wilkinson and several other chain shops as well as a small multi-storey car park. There are many banks, building societies, restaurants, cafes and charity shops. Along Otley Road there is a Boots the Chemist.