Aberdeenshire population, 2001–2024
Aberdeenshire has an estimated population of 265,080 (mid-2024), up 16.8% since 2001. Official ONS mid-year estimates for the Aberdeenshire local authority area.
265,080
population, mid-2024
+16.8%
since 2001
+1.4%
last 10 years
2024
peak year (265,080)
Year by year
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 265,080 | +0.2% |
| 2023 | 264,610 | +0.3% |
| 2022 | 263,750 | +0.2% |
| 2021 | 263,140 | +0.6% |
| 2020 | 261,510 | -0.1% |
| 2019 | 261,900 | -0.1% |
| 2018 | 262,220 | -0.3% |
| 2017 | 262,920 | -0.2% |
| 2016 | 263,460 | +0.1% |
| 2015 | 263,250 | +0.7% |
| 2014 | 261,350 | +1.2% |
| 2013 | 258,130 | +0.9% |
| 2012 | 255,750 | +0.8% |
| 2011 | 253,650 | +0.9% |
| 2010 | 251,430 | +1.0% |
| 2009 | 249,020 | +0.9% |
| 2008 | 246,830 | +1.0% |
| 2007 | 244,390 | +1.3% |
| 2006 | 241,180 | +1.5% |
| 2005 | 237,570 | +1.2% |
| 2004 | 234,690 | +1.5% |
| 2003 | 231,250 | +1.1% |
| 2002 | 228,830 | +0.8% |
| 2001 | 226,940 | — |
High street businesses
Aberdeenshire has 140 hairdressers and beauty salons, 70 pubs and bars, 75 licensed restaurants, 150 takeaways on the ONS business register (2025). Compare across the UK.
Rounded to the nearest 5, which is how ONS protects individual businesses from being identified.
Figures are ONS mid-year population estimates for the Aberdeenshire local authority area (code S12000034), which can differ from the population of a town of the same name. Sources & method.
Common questions
What is the population of Aberdeenshire?
265,080, on the NRS mid-2024 estimate for the Aberdeenshire local authority area. This page charts the full annual series back to 2001, so the figure sits in its twenty-year context rather than alone.
Is Aberdeenshire growing or shrinking?
Growing: up 16.8% since 2001, from 226,940 to 265,080. The peak year in the series so far is 2024. Year-by-year figures and the chart are on this page.