List of counties of Scotland by population in 1951 facts for kids
Scotland, a country known for its stunning landscapes and rich history, used to be divided into special areas called counties. These counties were like big regions, each with its own local government and unique character. This article looks at how many people lived in each of these Scottish counties back in 1951. This information comes from a big count of people called a census. Understanding these old populations helps us learn about Scotland's past and how its communities have grown and changed over time.
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Scotland's Counties by Population in 1951
What Were Counties?
Imagine Scotland like a giant puzzle. Before 1975, the pieces of this puzzle were called counties. These were traditional areas used for things like local government and keeping track of people. They helped organize the country. While Scotland is now divided differently, these old counties are still important for history and geography.
Why 1951? The Census Explained
The numbers you'll see below are from the 1951 census. A census is like a huge survey where a country counts all its people. Governments do this to understand how many people live where, what jobs they have, and other important details. This helps them plan for schools, hospitals, and other services. The 1951 census gives us a snapshot of Scotland's population over 70 years ago.
Scotland's Most Populous Counties in 1951
In 1951, some counties were much more crowded than others. Big cities were often part of or close to the most populated areas. Take a look at the table below to see which counties had the most people.
Rank | County | Total population |
---|---|---|
1 | Glasgow City | 1,089,767 |
2 | Lanark | 524,596 |
3 | Edinburgh City | 466,761 |
4 | Renfrew | 324,660 |
5 | Ayr | 321,237 |
6 | Fife | 306,778 |
7 | Stirling | 187,527 |
8 | Aberdeen City | 182,714 |
9 | Dundee City | 177,340 |
10 | Dunbarton | 164,269 |
11 | Perth | 128,029 |
12 | Aberdeen | 125,341 |
13 | Midlothian | 98,974 |
14 | Angus | 97,536 |
15 | West Lothian | 88,577 |
16 | Dumfries | 85,660 |
17 | Inverness | 84,930 |
18 | Argyll | 63,361 |
19 | Ross and Cromarty | 60,508 |
20 | East Lothian | 52,258 |
21 | Banff | 50,148 |
22 | Moray | 48,218 |
23 | Roxburgh | 45,557 |
24 | Clackmannan | 37,532 |
25 | Wigtown | 31,620 |
26 | Kirkudbright | 30,725 |
27 | Kincardine | 27,882 |
28 | Berwick | 25,068 |
29 | Caithness | 22,710 |
30 | Selkirk | 21,729 |
31 | Orkney | 21,255 |
32 | Zetland | 19,352 |
33 | Bute | 19,283 |
34 | Peebles | 15,232 |
35 | Sutherland | 13,670 |
36 | Nairn | 8,719 |
37 | Kinross | 7,418 |
The Less Populous Areas
As you can see from the table, some counties had far fewer people. These were often rural areas with lots of open space, mountains, or islands. Places like Kinross, Nairn, and Sutherland had much smaller populations compared to the big cities. This shows how varied Scotland's geography and population distribution were.
How Things Have Changed
The way Scotland is divided has changed a lot since 1951. The old county system was replaced in 1975 with new local government areas. However, many of the county names are still used today in different ways, like for historic regions or even for sports teams. Looking at these old population figures helps us understand the history of Scotland's communities.