People and census in Edinburgh
Council areaSouth east Scotland. 531,370 people in 263 square kilometres.
15 layers about people and census for Edinburgh, each at the level its publisher released it, with its own date and source.
Population by output area
Census 2021, England and Wales
Edinburgh’s 4,420 output areas range from 56 to 2,299.
What is the population of Edinburgh?
Edinburgh had 514,501 usual residents at the census.
Edinburgh is the 12th most populated of 361 in the UK.
Population
CouncilEdinburgh had 514,501 usual residents at the census.
Edinburgh is the 12th most populated of 361 in the UK.
Population estimate
CouncilEdinburgh’s population was an estimated 531,370 in mid-2025.
The population fell 0.1% in the year to mid-2025.
Edinburgh is 12th most populated of 361 for population.
Aged 15 to 64
Council70.4% of residents in Edinburgh were aged 15 to 64 at the census.
In Scotland the figure is 64.6%.
- Against Scotland
- 9% higher64.6%
Aged 65 and over
Council15.9% of residents in Edinburgh were aged 65 or over at the census.
In Scotland the figure is 20.0%.
- Against Scotland
- 21% lower20.0%
Aged under 15
Council13.7% of residents in Edinburgh were aged under 15 at the census.
In Scotland the figure is 15.3%.
- Against Scotland
- 10% lower15.3%
Born outside the UK
Council23.5% of residents in Edinburgh were born outside the UK.
In Scotland the figure is 10.2%.
- Against Scotland
- 2.3 times10.2%
Disability
Council19.5% of residents in Edinburgh had their day-to-day activities limited by a long-term health problem or disability.
In Scotland the figure is 24.1%.
- Against Scotland
- 19% lower24.1%
Good or very good health
Council83.7% of residents in Edinburgh said their health was good or very good.
In Scotland the figure is 78.8%.
- Against Scotland
- 6% higher78.8%
Households
CouncilEdinburgh had 238,934 households at the census.
Edinburgh is 7th highest of 361 for the number of households.
Households without a car or van
Council37.7% of households in Edinburgh had no car or van at the census.
In Scotland the figure is 26.4%.
- Against Scotland
- 43% higher26.4%
Owner-occupied homes
Council60.1% of households in Edinburgh owned their home at the census.
In Scotland the figure is 63.2%.
- Against Scotland
- 5% lower63.2%
Population density
CouncilEdinburgh had 1,953 people per square kilometre at the census.
In Scotland the figure is 69 per km².
Worked out by Open Index from census population counts and the area of each place.
- Against Scotland
- 28 times69 per km²
Private rented homes
Council23.1% of households in Edinburgh rented privately at the census.
In Scotland the figure is 12.9%.
- Against Scotland
- 1.8 times12.9%
Social rented homes
Council15.7% of households in Edinburgh rented from a council or housing association at the census.
In Scotland the figure is 22.5%.
- Against Scotland
- 30% lower22.5%
Annual population change
CouncilEdinburgh’s estimated population changed by −0.1% in the year to mid-2025.
Worked out by Open Index from the mid-year population estimates.