South Ayrshire population, 2001–2024
South Ayrshire has an estimated population of 112,260 (mid-2024), up 0.1% since 2001. Official ONS mid-year estimates for the South Ayrshire local authority area.
112,260
population, mid-2024
+0.1%
since 2001
-0.2%
last 10 years
2011
peak year (112,980)
Year by year
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 112,260 | +0.3% |
| 2023 | 111,940 | +0.3% |
| 2022 | 111,560 | +0.0% |
| 2021 | 111,560 | +0.1% |
| 2020 | 111,470 | -0.5% |
| 2019 | 112,010 | +0.0% |
| 2018 | 111,990 | -0.4% |
| 2017 | 112,400 | +0.2% |
| 2016 | 112,200 | -0.1% |
| 2015 | 112,260 | -0.2% |
| 2014 | 112,440 | -0.2% |
| 2013 | 112,710 | -0.2% |
| 2012 | 112,900 | -0.1% |
| 2011 | 112,980 | +0.3% |
| 2010 | 112,600 | +0.1% |
| 2009 | 112,490 | -0.1% |
| 2008 | 112,610 | +0.2% |
| 2007 | 112,380 | +0.2% |
| 2006 | 112,100 | +0.1% |
| 2005 | 112,030 | +0.2% |
| 2004 | 111,840 | +0.3% |
| 2003 | 111,550 | -0.1% |
| 2002 | 111,690 | -0.4% |
| 2001 | 112,160 | — |
High street businesses
South Ayrshire has 95 hairdressers and beauty salons, 45 pubs and bars, 50 licensed restaurants, 75 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 South Ayrshire local authority area (code S12000028), which can differ from the population of a town of the same name. Sources & method.
Common questions
What is the population of South Ayrshire?
112,260, on the NRS mid-2024 estimate for the South Ayrshire 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 South Ayrshire growing or shrinking?
Growing: up 0.1% since 2001, from 112,160 to 112,260. The peak year in the series so far is 2011. Year-by-year figures and the chart are on this page.