Average Household Size
type: Dataset
description: This dataset contains information on the average number of people per household ('average household size') in each council area and in Scotland. Average household size is calculated using the mid-year household estimates, the mid-year population estimates, and communal establishment rates from Scotland's Census 2001 and 2011. The first stage is to calculate the number of people living in private households (the 'private household population') rather than in communal establishments, such as student halls of residence, prisons or care homes. This is done by applying the communal establishment rates to the mid-year population estimates to estimate the communal establishment population, and subtracting this population from the mid-year population estimate. Communal establishment rates for 2002 to 2010 are estimated from the rates from Scotland's Census 2001 and 2011. The communal establishment rates from Scotland's Census 2011 are used from 2012 onwards. The second stage is to estimate average household size by dividing the private household population by the mid-year household estimate. For full details of the methods used see the 'Estimates of Households and Dwellings in Scotland' publications on the [National Records of Scotland (NRS) website](https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/households/household-estimates).
issued: 2026-08-13T09:40:45.576562
modified: 2026-08-13T09:41:55.741262
version notes: When the 2018 data was uploaded a small revision was made to the 2017 value for Aberdeen City. This revision was to account for a more accurate household estimate that takes into account the increased number of student halls in the region When the 2017 was uploaded a revision was made to values from 2012-2016 to reflect more accurate information about student accommodations. The change is small and only changes the values for City of Edinburgh, Glasgow City and Scotland Revisions were made to the household estimates for Shetland Islands (2007-2014), City of Edinburgh (2014) and West Lothian (2013-2014). For full details see the 'Estimates of households and dwellings in Scotland, 2015' publication on the NRS website. Revisions were also made to the mid-year population estimates for 2012, 2013 and 2014. For full details see the 'Mid-2015 population estimates Scotland and corrected population estimates for mid-2012, mid-2013 and mid-2014' publication on the NRS website. Revisions and corrections to previously published estimates are dealt with in accordance with the Scottish Government Statistician Group corporate policy statement on revisions and corrections - a copy of which is available on the Scottish Government website.
contact point: Organization
contact point: Kind
theme: Housing
accuracy: Figures have been rounded to the nearest two decimal places. From 2013 onwards, many councils have carried out re-classification exercises of vacant dwellings and second homes, alongside making changes to their systems to reflect new legislation surrounding such properties introduced in 2013. The definitions of a second home and a vacant property classed as 'long-term empty' were also changed with the introduction of the new legislation, leading to some dwellings switching between these categories. Users are advised to note these differences when analysing the figures. In particular, there has been an apparent increase in the rate of growth in household numbers from 2013 onwards which is not simply due to growth in the number of dwellings. This has largely been due to re-classification of properties as a result of the 2013 legislation, either following a review of such properties or simply because their definitions have changed. Because average household size is calculated by dividing the population by the number of households, an increase in households leads to a decrease in average household size, given the same population size. Therefore any apparent change in the growth in households will have influenced average household size.
comment: The average number of people per household in each council area and in Scotland
completeness: It is the policy of the NRS to make its website and products accessible according to published guidelines. More information is available in the Accessibility section of the NRS website.
confidentiality: This dataset does not contain any directly identifiable personal information.
consistency: The statistics are also provided in Excel, PDF and CSV formats on the NRS website. They are designed to be consistent, and incorporate comparable historical data where appropriate.
geographical coverage: S12
geographical coverage: S92
license id: uk-ogl
next update: 2023-06-01
quality management: Estimates are compared with earlier years' data to identify any potential issues. Household estimates and population estimates also go through their own quality assurance processes which are described in the 'Estimates of Households and Dwellings in Scotland' and 'Mid-Year Population Estimates' publications on the National Records of Scotland (NRS) website.
reference period: PeriodOfTime
  end date: 2021
  start date: 2001
timeliness: Data is received from Council Tax billing systems on the first Monday of September each year and published the following summer.
uniqueness: Not assessed
update frequency: annual
validity: The statistics are mainly used for informing Councils' decisions about housing need and service provision.
will be updated: true

average-household-size.csv
type: Distribution
description: Data file for Average Household Size
format: CSV
issued: 2026-08-13T09:41:55.755867
modified: 2026-08-13T09:41:55.751068
table schema: Schema
  column: Column
    datatype: text
    name: GeographyType
  column: Column
    datatype: text
    name: GeographyCode
  column: Column
    datatype: float
    name: Value
  column: Column
    datatype: text
    name: Measurement
  column: Column
    datatype: text
    name: Units
  column: Column
    datatype: text
    name: GeographyName
  column: Column
    datatype: int
    name: DateCode
access URL: https://admin.data.gov.scot/resource/a2df2e18-8dee-4e0d-b1de-eb5f67d628e4/download
comment: The average number of people per household in each council area and in Scotland
dictionary: Column
  column: GeographyCode
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: GeographyName
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: DateCode
  type: int
dictionary: Column
  column: Measurement
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: Units
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: Value
  type: float
dictionary: Column
  column: GeographyType
  type: text

National Records of Scotland
type: Agent

Housing
type: Concept