Argyll and Bute: population and statistics
Argyll and Bute has a population of 87,310 (2025) across 7,005.5 km², or 12.5 people per km². It ranks 329 of 361 local authorities by population. Its population is falling: −0.6% between 2015 and 2025.
- 87,310 residents
- 7,005.5 km²
- 12 people/km²
Argyll and Bute in numbers
Population of Argyll and Bute over time
Argyll and Bute had 87,850 residents in 2015 and 87,310 in 2025.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 87,160 |
| 2021 | 87,960 |
| 2022 | 87,930 |
| 2023 | 88,080 |
| 2024 | 87,780 |
| 2025 | 87,310 |
All indicators for Argyll and Bute
Value for the area, then the regional average and the UK median (for counts: regional and UK totals). The gauge places the area between the lowest and highest value in the UK.
Population
| Indicator | Argyll and Bute | Scotland | UK | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Share of residents aged 65 and over (2025) | 28.4% | 21.0% | 20.4% | ranked 21 of 361 | |
| Share of residents aged under 16 (2025) | 13.6% | 15.8% | 17.4% | ranked 352 of 361 |
Housing
| Indicator | Argyll and Bute | Scotland | UK | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average house price (2026) | £189,366 | £200,272 | £272,474 | ranked 306 of 360 | |
| House price change over 12 months (2026) | 3.1% | 3.0% | 2.2% | ranked 128 of 360 |
Economy
| Indicator | Argyll and Bute | Scotland | UK | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business sites (local units) (2026) | 4,945 sites | 219,565 | 3,232,440 | ranked 261 of 361 | |
| Business sites per 1,000 residents (2026) | 56.6 per 1,000 | 39.6 per 1,000 | 44.4 per 1,000 | ranked 55 of 361 | |
| Registered businesses (enterprises) (2026) | 3,930 businesses | 176,000 | 2,786,975 | ranked 278 of 361 | |
| Median annual pay, full-time residents (gross) (2025) | £39,010 | £39,890 | £38,490 | ranked 161 of 348 |
Jobs
| Indicator | Argyll and Bute | Scotland | UK | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employment rate, aged 16-64 (2025-2026) | 68.9% | 74.5% | 76.3% | ranked 319 of 347 | |
| Out-of-work benefit claimants, share of residents aged 16-64 (2026) | 2.5% | 3.2% | 3.2% | ranked 260 of 361 |
Key points
Among the 32 local authorities in Scotland, Argyll and Bute ranks 27 by population.
Share of residents aged under 16: 13.6% in Argyll and Bute, compared with an average of 15.8% in Scotland and 17.7% across the UK.
Employment rate, aged 16-64: 68.9% in Argyll and Bute, compared with an average of 74.5% in Scotland and 75.6% across the UK.
Largest business sector: Agriculture, forestry and fishing, with 17.1% of the area's business sites.
Did you know?
- “Share of residents aged under 16”: lower than in 98% of local authorities.
- “Employment rate, aged 16-64”: lower than in 92% of local authorities.
- Its area is roughly equal to 981,167 football pitches.
- 22.7 times less dense than the UK average.
- The nearest local authority is Inverclyde, 44.6 km away.
- The nearest larger neighbour is North Ayrshire (133,660 residents), 55 km away.
Business sectors: Argyll and Bute
Share of each sector in total business sites; “×1.5” means the sector is 1.5 times more common than across the UK.
- Agriculture, forestry and fishing17.1% ×3.8
- Wholesale and retail trade14.3% ×0.9
- Accommodation and food services11.9% ×1.7
- Construction10.0% ×0.8
- Professional, scientific and technical7.7% ×0.6
- Administrative and support services5.3% ×0.6
- Health and social work5.3% ×0.9
- Manufacturing4.9% ×1.1
Where is Argyll and Bute?
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Argyll and Bute?
Argyll and Bute has 87,310 residents (2025), ranking 329 of 361 local authorities.
How big is Argyll and Bute?
Argyll and Bute covers 7,005.5 km², with a density of 12 people per km².
Is the population of Argyll and Bute growing?
Between 2015 and 2025, the population of Argyll and Bute went from 87,850 to 87,310, a change of −0.6%.
Where is Argyll and Bute?
Argyll and Bute is in Scotland (region). Latitude 55.983, longitude −5.450.
Share of residents aged under 16: what is the figure for Argyll and Bute?
In Argyll and Bute, “Share of residents aged under 16” stands at 13.6% (2025), ranking 352 of 361 local authorities; the UK median is 17.4%.
Employment rate, aged 16-64: what is the figure for Argyll and Bute?
In Argyll and Bute, “Employment rate, aged 16-64” stands at 68.9% (2025-2026), ranking 319 of 347 local authorities; the UK median is 76.3%.
Which local authorities border Argyll and Bute?
The nearest to Argyll and Bute are Inverclyde (45 km), North Ayrshire (55 km), West Dunbartonshire (58 km), Renfrewshire (67 km), East Renfrewshire (75 km).