People and census in Highland

Highland had 235,330 usual residents at the census.

Highland is the 88th most populated of 361 in the UK.

Highland’s population was an estimated 237,260 in mid-2025.

The population fell 0.1% in the year to mid-2025.

Highland is 93rd most populated of 361 for population.

61.5% of residents in Highland were aged 15 to 64 at the census.

In Scotland the figure is 64.6%.

23.7% of residents in Highland were aged 65 or over at the census.

In Scotland the figure is 20.0%.

14.8% of residents in Highland were aged under 15 at the census.

In Scotland the figure is 15.3%.

7.5% of residents in Highland were born outside the UK.

In Scotland the figure is 10.2%.

23.8% of residents in Highland had their day-to-day activities limited by a long-term health problem or disability.

In Scotland the figure is 24.1%.

79.8% of residents in Highland said their health was good or very good.

In Scotland the figure is 78.8%.

Highland had 111,721 households at the census.

Highland is 69th highest of 361 for the number of households.

18.1% of households in Highland had no car or van at the census.

In Scotland the figure is 26.4%.

67.8% of households in Highland owned their home at the census.

In Scotland the figure is 63.2%.

Highland had 9 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.

10.7% of households in Highland rented privately at the census.

In Scotland the figure is 12.9%.

19.4% of households in Highland rented from a council or housing association at the census.

In Scotland the figure is 22.5%.

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

Worked out by Open Index from the mid-year population estimates.