West Dunbartonshire: population and statistics
West Dunbartonshire has a population of 88,340 (2025) across 177.3 km², or 498 people per km². It ranks 327 of 361 local authorities by population. Its population is falling: −1.8% between 2015 and 2025.
- 88,340 residents
- 177.3 km²
- 498 people/km²
West Dunbartonshire in numbers
Population of West Dunbartonshire over time
West Dunbartonshire had 89,930 residents in 2015 and 88,340 in 2025.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 88,990 |
| 2021 | 88,510 |
| 2022 | 88,270 |
| 2023 | 88,820 |
| 2024 | 88,820 |
| 2025 | 88,340 |
All indicators for West Dunbartonshire
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 | West Dunbartonshire | Scotland | UK | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Share of residents aged 65 and over (2025) | 21.4% | 21.0% | 20.4% | ranked 154 of 361 | |
| Share of residents aged under 16 (2025) | 16.5% | 15.8% | 17.4% | ranked 241 of 361 |
Housing
| Indicator | West Dunbartonshire | Scotland | UK | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average house price (2026) | £127,521 | £200,272 | £272,474 | ranked 359 of 360 | |
| House price change over 12 months (2026) | 4.7% | 3.0% | 2.2% | ranked 70 of 360 |
Economy
| Indicator | West Dunbartonshire | Scotland | UK | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business sites (local units) (2026) | 2,420 sites | 219,565 | 3,232,440 | ranked 351 of 361 | |
| Business sites per 1,000 residents (2026) | 27.4 per 1,000 | 39.6 per 1,000 | 44.4 per 1,000 | ranked 356 of 361 | |
| Registered businesses (enterprises) (2026) | 1,825 businesses | 176,000 | 2,786,975 | ranked 353 of 361 | |
| Median annual pay, full-time residents (gross) (2025) | £40,011 | £39,890 | £38,490 | ranked 138 of 348 |
Jobs
| Indicator | West Dunbartonshire | Scotland | UK | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employment rate, aged 16-64 (2025-2026) | 70.3% | 74.5% | 76.3% | ranked 298 of 347 | |
| Out-of-work benefit claimants, share of residents aged 16-64 (2026) | 3.9% | 3.2% | 3.2% | ranked 98 of 361 |
Key points
Among the 32 local authorities in Scotland, West Dunbartonshire ranks 26 by population.
Average house price: £127,521 in West Dunbartonshire, compared with an average of £200,272 in Scotland and £308,859 across the UK.
Business sites per 1,000 residents: 27.4 per 1,000 in West Dunbartonshire, compared with an average of 39.6 per 1,000 in Scotland and 46.5 per 1,000 across the UK.
Largest business sector: Wholesale and retail trade, with 20.7% of the area's business sites.
Did you know?
- “Average house price”: lower than in 100% of local authorities.
- “Business sites per 1,000 residents”: lower than in 99% of local authorities.
- Its area is roughly equal to 24,833 football pitches.
- The nearest local authority is Renfrewshire, 14.8 km away.
- The nearest larger neighbour is Renfrewshire (189,270 residents), 15 km away.
Business sectors: West Dunbartonshire
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 trade20.7% ×1.3
- Construction12.8% ×1.0
- Professional, scientific and technical9.1% ×0.7
- Accommodation and food services8.9% ×1.3
- Administrative and support services7.7% ×0.9
- Health and social work7.0% ×1.2
- Other service activities5.8% ×1.4
- Manufacturing5.0% ×1.2
Where is West Dunbartonshire?
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of West Dunbartonshire?
West Dunbartonshire has 88,340 residents (2025), ranking 327 of 361 local authorities.
How big is West Dunbartonshire?
West Dunbartonshire covers 177.3 km², with a density of 498 people per km².
Is the population of West Dunbartonshire growing?
Between 2015 and 2025, the population of West Dunbartonshire went from 89,930 to 88,340, a change of −1.8%.
Where is West Dunbartonshire?
West Dunbartonshire is in Scotland (region). Latitude 55.990, longitude −4.515.
Average house price: what is the figure for West Dunbartonshire?
In West Dunbartonshire, “Average house price” stands at £127,521 (2026), ranking 359 of 360 local authorities; the UK median is £272,474.
Business sites per 1,000 residents: what is the figure for West Dunbartonshire?
In West Dunbartonshire, “Business sites per 1,000 residents” stands at 27.4 per 1,000 (2026), ranking 356 of 361 local authorities; the UK median is 44.4 per 1,000.
Which local authorities border West Dunbartonshire?
The nearest to West Dunbartonshire are Renfrewshire (15 km), Inverclyde (18 km), East Dunbartonshire (20 km), Glasgow City (23 km), East Renfrewshire (25 km).