People and census in East Ayrshire
Council areaSouth west Scotland. 121,350 people (mid-2025 estimate) in 1,270 square kilometres.
15 layers about people and census for East Ayrshire, each at the level its publisher released it, with its own date and source.
Population by neighbourhood
Census 2021, England and Wales
East Ayrshire’s 166 neighbourhoods range from 441 to 1,223.
What is the population of East Ayrshire?
East Ayrshire’s population was an estimated 121,350 in mid-2025.
The population held steady in the year to mid-2025.
East Ayrshire is 117th least populated of 361 for population.
Population estimate
CouncilEast Ayrshire’s population was an estimated 121,350 in mid-2025.
The population held steady in the year to mid-2025.
East Ayrshire is 117th least populated of 361 for population.
Population
CouncilEast Ayrshire had 120,320 usual residents at the census.
East Ayrshire is the 128th least populated of 361 in the UK.
Aged 15 to 64
Council62.7% of residents in East Ayrshire were aged 15 to 64 at the census.
In Scotland the figure is 64.6%.
- Against Scotland
- 3% lower64.6%
Aged 65 and over
Council21.4% of residents in East Ayrshire were aged 65 or over at the census.
In Scotland the figure is 20.0%.
- Against Scotland
- 7% higher20.0%
Aged under 15
Council15.9% of residents in East Ayrshire were aged under 15 at the census.
In Scotland the figure is 15.3%.
- Against Scotland
- 4% higher15.3%
Born outside the UK
Council3.2% of residents in East Ayrshire were born outside the UK.
In Scotland the figure is 10.2%.
- Against Scotland
- 69% lower10.2%
Disability
Council27.1% of residents in East Ayrshire had their day-to-day activities limited by a long-term health problem or disability.
In Scotland the figure is 24.1%.
- Against Scotland
- 12% higher24.1%
Good or very good health
Council75.8% of residents in East Ayrshire said their health was good or very good.
In Scotland the figure is 78.8%.
- Against Scotland
- 4% lower78.8%
Households
CouncilEast Ayrshire had 55,437 households at the census.
East Ayrshire is 149th lowest of 361 for the number of households.
Households without a car or van
Council23.7% of households in East Ayrshire had no car or van at the census.
In Scotland the figure is 26.4%.
- Against Scotland
- 10% lower26.4%
Owner-occupied homes
Council63.5% of households in East Ayrshire owned their home at the census.
In Scotland the figure is 63.2%.
- Against Scotland
- About the same63.2%
Population density
CouncilEast Ayrshire had 95 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.
- Against Scotland
- 38% higher69 per km²
Private rented homes
Council9.5% of households in East Ayrshire rented privately at the census.
In Scotland the figure is 12.9%.
- Against Scotland
- 26% lower12.9%
Social rented homes
Council25.7% of households in East Ayrshire rented from a council or housing association at the census.
In Scotland the figure is 22.5%.
- Against Scotland
- 14% higher22.5%
Annual population change
CouncilEast Ayrshire’s estimated population changed by 0.0% in the year to mid-2025.
Worked out by Open Index from the mid-year population estimates.
- Against the UK
- 100% lower0.3%