# People and census in Argyll and Bute

West Scotland. 87,310 people (mid-2025 estimate) in 7,005 square kilometres, the 3rd most sparsely populated council in the UK.

15 layers about people and census for Argyll and Bute, each at the level its publisher released it, with its own date and source.

In: [Scotland](https://openindex.co.uk/scotland)

## What is the population of Argyll and Bute?

Argyll and Bute had 85,948 usual residents at the census.
Argyll and Bute is the 34th least populated of 361 in the UK.

## Population

Argyll and Bute: **85,948** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026.

Argyll and Bute had 85,948 usual residents at the census.
Argyll and Bute is the 34th least populated of 361 in the UK.

[Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/population?place=S12000035) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/population) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/population/scotland) · https://openindex.co.uk/argyll-and-bute/people#l-population

## Population estimate

Argyll and Bute: **87,310** (2025, council level). Source: ONS population estimates. Published 1 October 2026.

Argyll and Bute’s population was an estimated 87,310 in mid-2025.
The population fell 0.5% in the year to mid-2025.
Argyll and Bute is 33rd least populated of 361 for population.

[Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/population-estimate?place=S12000035) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/population-estimate) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/population-estimate/scotland) · https://openindex.co.uk/argyll-and-bute/people#l-population-estimate

## Aged 15 to 64

Argyll and Bute: **59.1%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026.

59.1% of residents in Argyll and Bute were aged 15 to 64 at the census.
In Scotland the figure is 64.6%.

- Against Scotland: 9% lower (64.6%)

[Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/age-15-to-64?place=S12000035) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/age-15-to-64) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/age-15-to-64/scotland) · https://openindex.co.uk/argyll-and-bute/people#l-age-15-to-64

## Aged 65 and over

Argyll and Bute: **27.2%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026.

27.2% of residents in Argyll and Bute were aged 65 or over at the census.
In Scotland the figure is 20.0%.

- Against Scotland: 36% higher (20.0%)

[Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/age-65-and-over?place=S12000035) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/age-65-and-over) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/age-65-and-over/scotland) · https://openindex.co.uk/argyll-and-bute/people#l-age-65-and-over

## Aged under 15

Argyll and Bute: **13.7%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026.

13.7% of residents in Argyll and Bute were aged under 15 at the census.
In Scotland the figure is 15.3%.

- Against Scotland: 10% lower (15.3%)

[Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/age-under-15?place=S12000035) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/age-under-15) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/age-under-15/scotland) · https://openindex.co.uk/argyll-and-bute/people#l-age-under-15

## Born outside the UK

Argyll and Bute: **6.4%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026.

6.4% of residents in Argyll and Bute were born outside the UK.
In Scotland the figure is 10.2%.

- Against Scotland: 37% lower (10.2%)

[Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/born-outside-uk?place=S12000035) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/born-outside-uk) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/born-outside-uk/scotland) · https://openindex.co.uk/argyll-and-bute/people#l-born-outside-uk

## Disability

Argyll and Bute: **25.3%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026.

25.3% of residents in Argyll and Bute had their day-to-day activities limited by a long-term health problem or disability.
In Scotland the figure is 24.1%.

- Against Scotland: 5% higher (24.1%)

[Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/disability?place=S12000035) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/disability) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/disability/scotland) · https://openindex.co.uk/argyll-and-bute/people#l-disability

## Good or very good health

Argyll and Bute: **78.2%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026.

78.2% of residents in Argyll and Bute said their health was good or very good.
In Scotland the figure is 78.8%.

- Against Scotland: 1% lower (78.8%)

[Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/good-health?place=S12000035) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/good-health) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/good-health/scotland) · https://openindex.co.uk/argyll-and-bute/people#l-good-health

## Households

Argyll and Bute: **41,885** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026.

Argyll and Bute had 41,885 households at the census.
Argyll and Bute is 70th lowest of 361 for the number of households.

[Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/households?place=S12000035) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/households) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/households/scotland) · https://openindex.co.uk/argyll-and-bute/people#l-households

## Households without a car or van

Argyll and Bute: **20.3%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026.

20.3% of households in Argyll and Bute had no car or van at the census.
In Scotland the figure is 26.4%.

- Against Scotland: 23% lower (26.4%)

[Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/no-car-or-van?place=S12000035) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/no-car-or-van) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/no-car-or-van/scotland) · https://openindex.co.uk/argyll-and-bute/people#l-no-car-or-van

## Owner-occupied homes

Argyll and Bute: **67.3%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026.

67.3% of households in Argyll and Bute owned their home at the census.
In Scotland the figure is 63.2%.

- Against Scotland: 6% higher (63.2%)

[Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/owner-occupied?place=S12000035) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/owner-occupied) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/owner-occupied/scotland) · https://openindex.co.uk/argyll-and-bute/people#l-owner-occupied

## Population density

Argyll and Bute: **12 per km²** (2021, council level). Source: Worked out by Open Index from census population counts and the area of each place. Published 21 July 2026.

Argyll and Bute had 12 people per square kilometre at the census.
In Scotland the figure is 69 per km².

- Against Scotland: 83% lower (69 per km²)

[Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/population-density?place=S12000035) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/population-density) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/population-density/scotland) · https://openindex.co.uk/argyll-and-bute/people#l-population-density

## Private rented homes

Argyll and Bute: **11.6%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026.

11.6% of households in Argyll and Bute rented privately at the census.
In Scotland the figure is 12.9%.

- Against Scotland: 10% lower (12.9%)

[Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/private-rented?place=S12000035) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/private-rented) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/private-rented/scotland) · https://openindex.co.uk/argyll-and-bute/people#l-private-rented

## Social rented homes

Argyll and Bute: **19.0%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026.

19.0% of households in Argyll and Bute rented from a council or housing association at the census.
In Scotland the figure is 22.5%.

- Against Scotland: 16% lower (22.5%)

[Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/social-rented?place=S12000035) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/social-rented) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/social-rented/scotland) · https://openindex.co.uk/argyll-and-bute/people#l-social-rented

## Annual population change

Argyll and Bute: **−0.5%** (2025, council level). Source: Worked out by Open Index from the mid-year population estimates. Published 1 October 2026.

Argyll and Bute’s estimated population changed by −0.5% in the year to mid-2025.

[Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/population-change?place=S12000035) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/population-change) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/population-change/scotland) · https://openindex.co.uk/argyll-and-bute/people#l-population-estimate-change-1y

## More on this place

- [Overview](https://openindex.co.uk/argyll-and-bute)
- [Housing](https://openindex.co.uk/argyll-and-bute/housing) (8)
- [Crime](https://openindex.co.uk/argyll-and-bute/crime) (6)
- [Deprivation](https://openindex.co.uk/argyll-and-bute/deprivation) (2)
- [Health](https://openindex.co.uk/argyll-and-bute/health) (4)
- [Education](https://openindex.co.uk/argyll-and-bute/education) (2)
- [Environment](https://openindex.co.uk/argyll-and-bute/environment) (5)
- [Transport](https://openindex.co.uk/argyll-and-bute/transport) (4)
- [Connectivity](https://openindex.co.uk/argyll-and-bute/connectivity) (5)
- [Economy](https://openindex.co.uk/argyll-and-bute/economy) (4)
- [Council tax](https://openindex.co.uk/argyll-and-bute/council-tax) (2)
- [Elections](https://openindex.co.uk/argyll-and-bute/elections) (7)
- [Local services](https://openindex.co.uk/argyll-and-bute/services) (1)
- [Sources](https://openindex.co.uk/argyll-and-bute/sources) (22)

The same figures as JSON: https://openindex.co.uk/v1/places/S12000035/data?family=people

## How to cite

Source: Open Index, openindex.co.uk. Link to this page, https://openindex.co.uk/argyll-and-bute/people, or to one figure with its anchor, https://openindex.co.uk/argyll-and-bute/people#l-population.

Open Index's own text and the figures it works out are licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Source data keeps its publishers' licences, named with each figure. Give each figure's period and source with it.

Snapshot 2026.10.9. The HTML page: https://openindex.co.uk/argyll-and-bute/people