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Rural Population Spread

Examples From Scotland

Scotland makes up over 30% of the area of the United Kingdom (with less than 10% of the UK population).

Scotland's population was 1.6 million at the first official Census in 1801. It had doubled to 3.2 million in 1861. In 1801, The outer and mainly rural areas of Scotland contained around 58% of the population, but by 1971 this had dropped to 26%. The island regions accounted for 37.5 % of the population in 1801 but by 1971 this had decreased to 30.4%.

The Scottish population in 2006: Facts and figures
Definition of Rurality: Scottish Executive definitions and maps
History of population: Early settlers, migration and invasion, why population changes
St Kilda: A very remote rural part of Scotland
References: Websites and further reading

The Scottish Population In 2006

Figures released by the Registrar General for Scotland estimate Scotland's population to have been 5,094,800 on 27 April 2006, an increase of 16,400 on the previous year and an increase of 30,600 since mid-2001.

Definition of Rurality

The Scottish Executive core definition of rurality classifies settlements of 3000 or less people to be rural.

History of Population

It is believed that the first humans arrived in Scotland around 7,000 BC.

St Kilda

St Kilda is a group of islands situated 41km west of Eilean Siar.

References

There are a number of texts and websites that can provide you with further information on rural population spread in Scotland.