Argyll and Bute population, 2001–2024
Argyll and Bute has an estimated population of 87,690 (mid-2024), down 4.0% since 2001. Official ONS mid-year estimates for the Argyll and Bute local authority area.
87,690
population, mid-2024
-4.0%
since 2001
-0.9%
last 10 years
2001
peak year (91,300)
Year by year
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 87,690 | -0.3% |
| 2023 | 87,960 | +0.0% |
| 2022 | 87,930 | -0.0% |
| 2021 | 87,960 | +0.9% |
| 2020 | 87,160 | -0.2% |
| 2019 | 87,360 | -0.3% |
| 2018 | 87,590 | -0.6% |
| 2017 | 88,090 | -0.2% |
| 2016 | 88,230 | +0.4% |
| 2015 | 87,850 | -0.7% |
| 2014 | 88,450 | -0.0% |
| 2013 | 88,470 | +1.5% |
| 2012 | 87,170 | -2.0% |
| 2011 | 88,930 | +0.3% |
| 2010 | 88,620 | -0.9% |
| 2009 | 89,450 | -0.5% |
| 2008 | 89,910 | -1.0% |
| 2007 | 90,790 | -0.1% |
| 2006 | 90,860 | +0.6% |
| 2005 | 90,340 | -0.3% |
| 2004 | 90,580 | -0.4% |
| 2003 | 90,930 | -0.1% |
| 2002 | 91,020 | -0.3% |
| 2001 | 91,300 | — |
High street businesses
Argyll and Bute has 45 hairdressers and beauty salons, 55 pubs and bars, 75 licensed restaurants, 55 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 Argyll and Bute local authority area (code S12000035), which can differ from the population of a town of the same name. Sources & method.
Common questions
What is the population of Argyll and Bute?
87,690, on the NRS mid-2024 estimate for the Argyll and Bute 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 Argyll and Bute growing or shrinking?
Shrinking: down 4.0% since 2001, from 91,300 to 87,690. The peak year in the series so far is 2001. Year-by-year figures and the chart are on this page.