City of Edinburgh population, 2001–2024
City of Edinburgh has an estimated population of 530,680 (mid-2024), up 18.2% since 2001. Official ONS mid-year estimates for the City of Edinburgh local authority area.
530,680
population, mid-2024
+18.2%
since 2001
+9.4%
last 10 years
2024
peak year (530,680)
Year by year
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 530,680 | +1.2% |
| 2023 | 524,140 | +1.9% |
| 2022 | 514,570 | +1.7% |
| 2021 | 505,750 | -0.7% |
| 2020 | 509,550 | +0.2% |
| 2019 | 508,280 | +0.9% |
| 2018 | 503,920 | +0.6% |
| 2017 | 500,770 | +0.9% |
| 2016 | 496,200 | +1.2% |
| 2015 | 490,280 | +1.0% |
| 2014 | 485,270 | +0.5% |
| 2013 | 482,650 | +0.5% |
| 2012 | 480,420 | +0.5% |
| 2011 | 477,940 | +1.7% |
| 2010 | 469,930 | +1.4% |
| 2009 | 463,230 | +1.0% |
| 2008 | 458,520 | +0.5% |
| 2007 | 456,040 | +0.9% |
| 2006 | 452,040 | +0.6% |
| 2005 | 449,470 | +0.8% |
| 2004 | 445,870 | +0.1% |
| 2003 | 445,300 | -0.5% |
| 2002 | 447,500 | -0.3% |
| 2001 | 449,020 | — |
High street businesses
City of Edinburgh has 405 hairdressers and beauty salons, 255 pubs and bars, 460 licensed restaurants, 385 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 City of Edinburgh local authority area (code S12000036), which can differ from the population of a town of the same name. Sources & method.
Common questions
What is the population of City of Edinburgh?
530,680, on the NRS mid-2024 estimate for the City of Edinburgh 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 City of Edinburgh growing or shrinking?
Growing: up 18.2% since 2001, from 449,020 to 530,680. The peak year in the series so far is 2024. Year-by-year figures and the chart are on this page.