# People and census in Edinburgh

South east Scotland. 531,370 people (mid-2025 estimate) 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.

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

## 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

Edinburgh: **514,501** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026.

Edinburgh had 514,501 usual residents at the census.
Edinburgh is the 12th most populated of 361 in the UK.

[Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/population?place=S12000036) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/population) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/population/scotland) · https://openindex.co.uk/edinburgh/people#l-population

## Population estimate

Edinburgh: **531,370** (2025, council level). Source: ONS population estimates. Published 1 October 2026.

Edinburgh’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.

[Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/population-estimate?place=S12000036) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/population-estimate) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/population-estimate/scotland) · https://openindex.co.uk/edinburgh/people#l-population-estimate

## Aged 15 to 64

Edinburgh: **70.4%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026.

70.4% of residents in Edinburgh were aged 15 to 64 at the census.
In Scotland the figure is 64.6%.

- Against Scotland: 9% higher (64.6%)

[Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/age-15-to-64?place=S12000036) · [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/edinburgh/people#l-age-15-to-64

## Aged 65 and over

Edinburgh: **15.9%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026.

15.9% of residents in Edinburgh were aged 65 or over at the census.
In Scotland the figure is 20.0%.

- Against Scotland: 21% lower (20.0%)

[Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/age-65-and-over?place=S12000036) · [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/edinburgh/people#l-age-65-and-over

## Aged under 15

Edinburgh: **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 Edinburgh 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=S12000036) · [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/edinburgh/people#l-age-under-15

## Born outside the UK

Edinburgh: **23.5%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026.

23.5% of residents in Edinburgh were born outside the UK.
In Scotland the figure is 10.2%.

- Against Scotland: 2.3 times (10.2%)

[Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/born-outside-uk?place=S12000036) · [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/edinburgh/people#l-born-outside-uk

## Disability

Edinburgh: **19.5%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026.

19.5% 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% lower (24.1%)

[Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/disability?place=S12000036) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/disability) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/disability/scotland) · https://openindex.co.uk/edinburgh/people#l-disability

## Good or very good health

Edinburgh: **83.7%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026.

83.7% of residents in Edinburgh said their health was good or very good.
In Scotland the figure is 78.8%.

- Against Scotland: 6% higher (78.8%)

[Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/good-health?place=S12000036) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/good-health) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/good-health/scotland) · https://openindex.co.uk/edinburgh/people#l-good-health

## Households

Edinburgh: **238,934** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026.

Edinburgh had 238,934 households at the census.
Edinburgh is 7th highest of 361 for the number of households.

[Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/households?place=S12000036) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/households) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/households/scotland) · https://openindex.co.uk/edinburgh/people#l-households

## Households without a car or van

Edinburgh: **37.7%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026.

37.7% of households in Edinburgh had no car or van at the census.
In Scotland the figure is 26.4%.

- Against Scotland: 43% higher (26.4%)

[Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/no-car-or-van?place=S12000036) · [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/edinburgh/people#l-no-car-or-van

## Owner-occupied homes

Edinburgh: **60.1%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026.

60.1% of households in Edinburgh owned their home at the census.
In Scotland the figure is 63.2%.

- Against Scotland: 5% lower (63.2%)

[Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/owner-occupied?place=S12000036) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/owner-occupied) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/owner-occupied/scotland) · https://openindex.co.uk/edinburgh/people#l-owner-occupied

## Population density

Edinburgh: **1,953 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.

Edinburgh had 1,953 people per square kilometre at the census.
In Scotland the figure is 69 per km².

- Against Scotland: 28 times (69 per km²)

[Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/population-density?place=S12000036) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/population-density) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/population-density/scotland) · https://openindex.co.uk/edinburgh/people#l-population-density

## Private rented homes

Edinburgh: **23.1%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026.

23.1% of households in Edinburgh rented privately at the census.
In Scotland the figure is 12.9%.

- Against Scotland: 1.8 times (12.9%)

[Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/private-rented?place=S12000036) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/private-rented) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/private-rented/scotland) · https://openindex.co.uk/edinburgh/people#l-private-rented

## Social rented homes

Edinburgh: **15.7%** (2021, council level). Source: ONS Census 2021 and Scotland's Census 2022 and NISRA Census 2021. Published 21 July 2026.

15.7% of households in Edinburgh rented from a council or housing association at the census.
In Scotland the figure is 22.5%.

- Against Scotland: 30% lower (22.5%)

[Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/social-rented?place=S12000036) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/social-rented) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/social-rented/scotland) · https://openindex.co.uk/edinburgh/people#l-social-rented

## Annual population change

Edinburgh: **−0.1%** (2025, council level). Source: Worked out by Open Index from the mid-year population estimates. Published 1 October 2026.

Edinburgh’s estimated population changed by −0.1% in the year to mid-2025.

[Map](https://openindex.co.uk/map/population-change?place=S12000036) · [Source and method](https://openindex.co.uk/sources/population-change) · [Ranking](https://openindex.co.uk/rankings/population-change/scotland) · https://openindex.co.uk/edinburgh/people#l-population-estimate-change-1y

## More on this place

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

The same figures as JSON: https://openindex.co.uk/v1/places/S12000036/data?family=people

## How to cite

Source: Open Index, openindex.co.uk. Link to this page, https://openindex.co.uk/edinburgh/people, or to one figure with its anchor, https://openindex.co.uk/edinburgh/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/edinburgh/people