People and census in West Lothian
Council areaCentral Scotland. 187,240 people in 429 square kilometres.
15 layers about people and census for West Lothian, each at the level its publisher released it, with its own date and source.
Population by output area
Census 2021, England and Wales
West Lothian’s 1,473 output areas range from 60 to 654.
What is the population of West Lothian?
West Lothian had 181,285 usual residents at the census.
West Lothian is the 129th most populated of 361 in the UK.
Population
CouncilWest Lothian had 181,285 usual residents at the census.
West Lothian is the 129th most populated of 361 in the UK.
Population estimate
CouncilWest Lothian’s population was an estimated 187,240 in mid-2025.
The population rose 0.6% in the year to mid-2025.
West Lothian is 132nd most populated of 361 for population.
Aged 15 to 64
Council65.2% of residents in West Lothian were aged 15 to 64 at the census.
In Scotland the figure is 64.6%.
- Against Scotland
- 1% higher64.6%
Aged 65 and over
Council17.4% of residents in West Lothian were aged 65 or over at the census.
In Scotland the figure is 20.0%.
- Against Scotland
- 13% lower20.0%
Aged under 15
Council17.4% of residents in West Lothian were aged under 15 at the census.
In Scotland the figure is 15.3%.
- Against Scotland
- 14% higher15.3%
Born outside the UK
Council9.2% of residents in West Lothian were born outside the UK.
In Scotland the figure is 10.2%.
- Against Scotland
- 10% lower10.2%
Disability
Council24.2% of residents in West Lothian had their day-to-day activities limited by a long-term health problem or disability.
In Scotland the figure is 24.1%.
- Against Scotland
- About the same24.1%
Good or very good health
Council78.7% of residents in West Lothian said their health was good or very good.
In Scotland the figure is 78.8%.
- Against Scotland
- About the same78.8%
Households
CouncilWest Lothian had 79,801 households at the census.
West Lothian is 118th highest of 361 for the number of households.
Households without a car or van
Council20.8% of households in West Lothian had no car or van at the census.
In Scotland the figure is 26.4%.
- Against Scotland
- 21% lower26.4%
Owner-occupied homes
Council65.1% of households in West Lothian owned their home at the census.
In Scotland the figure is 63.2%.
- Against Scotland
- 3% higher63.2%
Population density
CouncilWest Lothian had 423 people per square kilometre at the census.
In Scotland the figure is 69 per km².
Worked out by Open Index from census population counts and the area of each place.
- Against Scotland
- 6.1 times69 per km²
Private rented homes
Council9.3% of households in West Lothian rented privately at the census.
In Scotland the figure is 12.9%.
- Against Scotland
- 28% lower12.9%
Social rented homes
Council24.5% of households in West Lothian rented from a council or housing association at the census.
In Scotland the figure is 22.5%.
- Against Scotland
- 9% higher22.5%
Annual population change
CouncilWest Lothian’s estimated population changed by 0.6% in the year to mid-2025.
Worked out by Open Index from the mid-year population estimates.
- Against the UK
- twice0.3%