Population statistics
The most recent figures on population for local authority areas come from the 2023 population estimates by National Records of Scotland (NRS). It was estimated that Aberdeenshire’s population was 264,320 in 2023.
This page provides more detailed information on Aberdeenshire’s population from estimates provided annually by National Records of Scotland, and Scotland’s Census 2022.
Aberdeenshire total population by year
In 2023, the NRS estimated that Aberdeenshire’s population was 264,320. This was an increase of 570 people (0.2% increase) since 2022. During the same period the population of Aberdeen City increased by 1.6% (from 224,250 to 227,750).
Since the COVID-19 pandemic there has been moderate sustained growth in Aberdeenshire. Between 2016 and 2020 the population of Aberdeenshire had been falling, following a long period of growth.
| Year | Population |
| 2023 | 264,320 |
| 2022 | 263,750 |
| 2021 | 262,690 |
| 2020 | 260,780 |
| 2019 | 261,210 |
| 2018 | 261,470 |
| 2017 | 261,800 |
| 2016 | 262,190 |
| 2015 | 261,960 |
| 2014 | 260,530 |
| 2013 | 257,770 |
| 2012 | 255,560 |
| 2011 | 253,650 |
| 2010 | 251,430 |
| 2009 | 249,020 |
| 2008 | 246,840 |
| 2007 | 244,390 |
| 2006 | 241,180 |
| 2005 | 237,570 |
| 2004 | 234,690 |
| 2003 | 231,250 |
Population of wards and administrative areas 2022
The Census (last undertaken in March 2022) provides the most recent information on the population of each administrative area and electoral ward in Aberdeenshire,
View the population of each:
- Administrative area - in the table below
- Administrative area: broken down by individual wards (PDF 158KB)
| Administrative area | Population |
| Banff and Buchan | 36,773 |
| Buchan | 42,746 |
| Formartine | 42,889 |
| Garioch | 56,676 |
| Kincardine and Mearns | 46,711 |
| Marr | 37,922 |
Population of towns and villages 2022
The following table shows the population of the 6 largest towns in Aberdeenshire, based on 2022 Census results.
| Largest towns | Population |
| Peterhead | 19,791 |
| Inverurie | 15,106 |
| Fraserburgh | 12,921 |
| Westhill | 11,750 |
| Stonehaven | 11,177 |
| Ellon | 10,126 |
You can also view figures for Aberdeenshire towns and villages with a population greater than 500 people (PDF 169KB).
Population and household estimates and projections
More detail about population, migration and households for Aberdeenshire and Scotland including projected change in the future can be found on the National Records of Scotland (NRS) website.
You can also view up to date figures for Aberdeenshire household and dwellings estimate 2024 (PDF 214KB).