People and census in North Ayrshire
Council areaSouth west Scotland. 133,660 people (mid-2025 estimate) in 885 square kilometres.
15 layers about people and census for North Ayrshire, each at the level its publisher released it, with its own date and source.
Population by output area
Census 2021, England and Wales
North Ayrshire’s 1,155 output areas range from 56 to 272.
What is the population of North Ayrshire?
North Ayrshire had 133,425 usual residents at the census.
North Ayrshire is the 154th least populated of 361 in the UK.
Population
CouncilNorth Ayrshire had 133,425 usual residents at the census.
North Ayrshire is the 154th least populated of 361 in the UK.
Population estimate
CouncilNorth Ayrshire’s population was an estimated 133,660 in mid-2025.
The population fell 0.1% in the year to mid-2025.
North Ayrshire is 142nd least populated of 361 for population.
Aged 15 to 64
Council61.4% of residents in North Ayrshire were aged 15 to 64 at the census.
In Scotland the figure is 64.6%.
- Against Scotland
- 5% lower64.6%
Aged 65 and over
Council23.8% of residents in North Ayrshire were aged 65 or over at the census.
In Scotland the figure is 20.0%.
- Against Scotland
- 19% higher20.0%
Aged under 15
Council14.8% of residents in North Ayrshire were aged under 15 at the census.
In Scotland the figure is 15.3%.
- Against Scotland
- 3% lower15.3%
Born outside the UK
Council3.4% of residents in North Ayrshire were born outside the UK.
In Scotland the figure is 10.2%.
- Against Scotland
- 67% lower10.2%
Disability
Council28.6% of residents in North 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
- 19% higher24.1%
Good or very good health
Council74.1% of residents in North Ayrshire said their health was good or very good.
In Scotland the figure is 78.8%.
- Against Scotland
- 6% lower78.8%
Households
CouncilNorth Ayrshire had 64,164 households at the census.
North Ayrshire is 165th highest of 361 for the number of households.
Households without a car or van
Council27.5% of households in North Ayrshire had no car or van at the census.
In Scotland the figure is 26.4%.
- Against Scotland
- 4% higher26.4%
Owner-occupied homes
Council62.4% of households in North Ayrshire owned their home at the census.
In Scotland the figure is 63.2%.
- Against Scotland
- 1% lower63.2%
Population density
CouncilNorth Ayrshire had 151 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
- 2.2 times69 per km²
Private rented homes
Council10.0% of households in North Ayrshire rented privately at the census.
In Scotland the figure is 12.9%.
- Against Scotland
- 22% lower12.9%
Social rented homes
Council26.4% of households in North Ayrshire rented from a council or housing association at the census.
In Scotland the figure is 22.5%.
- Against Scotland
- 17% higher22.5%
Annual population change
CouncilNorth Ayrshire’s estimated population changed by −0.1% in the year to mid-2025.
Worked out by Open Index from the mid-year population estimates.