South Ayrshire: population and statistics
South Ayrshire has a population of 112,280 (2025) across 1,224.4 km², or 91.7 people per km². It ranks 269 of 361 local authorities by population. Its population is stable: 0.0% between 2015 and 2025.
- 112,280 residents
- 1,224.4 km²
- 92 people/km²
South Ayrshire in numbers
Population of South Ayrshire over time
South Ayrshire had 112,260 residents in 2015 and 112,280 in 2025.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 111,470 |
| 2021 | 111,560 |
| 2022 | 111,560 |
| 2023 | 112,050 |
| 2024 | 112,270 |
| 2025 | 112,280 |
All indicators for South Ayrshire
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 | South Ayrshire | Scotland | UK | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Share of residents aged 65 and over (2025) | 28.0% | 21.0% | 20.4% | ranked 27 of 361 | |
| Share of residents aged under 16 (2025) | 14.7% | 15.8% | 17.4% | ranked 332 of 361 |
Housing
| Indicator | South Ayrshire | Scotland | UK | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average house price (2026) | £171,905 | £200,272 | £272,474 | ranked 327 of 360 | |
| House price change over 12 months (2026) | 8.5% | 3.0% | 2.2% | ranked 11 of 360 |
Economy
| Indicator | South Ayrshire | Scotland | UK | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business sites (local units) (2026) | 4,390 sites | 219,565 | 3,232,440 | ranked 292 of 361 | |
| Business sites per 1,000 residents (2026) | 39.1 per 1,000 | 39.6 per 1,000 | 44.4 per 1,000 | ranked 252 of 361 | |
| Registered businesses (enterprises) (2026) | 3,500 businesses | 176,000 | 2,786,975 | ranked 308 of 361 | |
| Median annual pay, full-time residents (gross) (2025) | £43,076 | £39,890 | £38,490 | ranked 86 of 348 |
Jobs
| Indicator | South Ayrshire | Scotland | UK | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employment rate, aged 16-64 (2025-2026) | 74.3% | 74.5% | 76.3% | ranked 221 of 347 | |
| Out-of-work benefit claimants, share of residents aged 16-64 (2026) | 3.2% | 3.2% | 3.2% | ranked 169 of 361 |
Key points
Among the 32 local authorities in Scotland, South Ayrshire ranks 20 by population.
House price change over 12 months: 8.5% in South Ayrshire, compared with an average of 3.0% in Scotland and 1.9% across the UK.
Share of residents aged 65 and over: 28.0% in South Ayrshire, compared with an average of 21.0% in Scotland and 19.4% across the UK.
Largest business sector: Wholesale and retail trade, with 18.6% of the area's business sites.
Did you know?
- Number 1 in Scotland for “House price change over 12 months”.
- “House price change over 12 months”: higher than in 97% of local authorities.
- “Share of residents aged 65 and over”: higher than in 92% of local authorities.
- Its area is roughly equal to 171,480 football pitches.
- 3.1 times less dense than the UK average.
- The nearest local authority is East Ayrshire, 37.3 km away.
- The nearest larger neighbour is South Lanarkshire (334,330 residents), 68 km away.
Business sectors: South Ayrshire
Share of each sector in total business sites; “×1.5” means the sector is 1.5 times more common than across the UK.
- Wholesale and retail trade18.6% ×1.2
- Construction11.1% ×0.9
- Professional, scientific and technical10.9% ×0.8
- Agriculture, forestry and fishing9.1% ×2.0
- Accommodation and food services8.1% ×1.1
- Administrative and support services6.3% ×0.8
- Health and social work6.3% ×1.1
- Other service activities5.1% ×1.3
Where is South Ayrshire?
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of South Ayrshire?
South Ayrshire has 112,280 residents (2025), ranking 269 of 361 local authorities.
How big is South Ayrshire?
South Ayrshire covers 1,224.4 km², with a density of 92 people per km².
Is the population of South Ayrshire growing?
Between 2015 and 2025, the population of South Ayrshire went from 112,260 to 112,280, a change of 0.0%.
Where is South Ayrshire?
South Ayrshire is in Scotland (region). Latitude 55.283, longitude −4.700.
House price change over 12 months: what is the figure for South Ayrshire?
In South Ayrshire, “House price change over 12 months” stands at 8.5% (2026), ranking 11 of 360 local authorities; the UK median is 2.2%.
Share of residents aged 65 and over: what is the figure for South Ayrshire?
In South Ayrshire, “Share of residents aged 65 and over” stands at 28.0% (2025), ranking 27 of 361 local authorities; the UK median is 20.4%.
Which local authorities border South Ayrshire?
The nearest to South Ayrshire are East Ayrshire (37 km), North Ayrshire (43 km), East Renfrewshire (63 km), South Lanarkshire (68 km), Inverclyde (69 km).