East Lothian population, 2001–2024
East Lothian has an estimated population of 115,180 (mid-2024), up 27.7% since 2001. Official ONS mid-year estimates for the East Lothian local authority area.
115,180
population, mid-2024
+27.7%
since 2001
+12.0%
last 10 years
2024
peak year (115,180)
Year by year
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 115,180 | +1.2% |
| 2023 | 113,810 | +1.2% |
| 2022 | 112,460 | +1.0% |
| 2021 | 111,340 | +1.7% |
| 2020 | 109,510 | +0.9% |
| 2019 | 108,510 | +1.3% |
| 2018 | 107,070 | +0.9% |
| 2017 | 106,080 | +0.9% |
| 2016 | 105,170 | +1.0% |
| 2015 | 104,110 | +1.2% |
| 2014 | 102,880 | +1.0% |
| 2013 | 101,900 | +0.8% |
| 2012 | 101,080 | +1.2% |
| 2011 | 99,920 | +0.8% |
| 2010 | 99,140 | +0.8% |
| 2009 | 98,340 | +0.9% |
| 2008 | 97,480 | +2.0% |
| 2007 | 95,570 | +1.8% |
| 2006 | 93,850 | +1.2% |
| 2005 | 92,730 | +0.6% |
| 2004 | 92,170 | +0.6% |
| 2003 | 91,640 | +0.6% |
| 2002 | 91,060 | +1.0% |
| 2001 | 90,180 | — |
High street businesses
East Lothian has 65 hairdressers and beauty salons, 40 pubs and bars, 35 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 East Lothian local authority area (code S12000010), which can differ from the population of a town of the same name. Sources & method.
Common questions
What is the population of East Lothian?
115,180, on the NRS mid-2024 estimate for the East Lothian 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 East Lothian growing or shrinking?
Growing: up 27.7% since 2001, from 90,180 to 115,180. The peak year in the series so far is 2024. Year-by-year figures and the chart are on this page.