The Scottish Government (SG) Urban Rural Classification provides a consistent way of defining urban and rural areas across Scotland. The classification aids policy development and the understanding of issues facing urban, rural and remote communities. It is based upon two main criteria: (i) population as defined by National Records of Scotland (NRS), and (ii) accessibility based on drive time analysis to differentiate between accessible and remote areas in Scotland. The classification can be analysed in a two, three, six or eight fold form. The two-fold classification simply distinguishes between urban and rural areas through two categories, urban and rural, while the three-fold classification splits the rural category between accessible and remote. Most commonly used is the 6-fold classification which distinguishes between urban, rural, and remote areas through six categories. The 8-fold classification further distinguishes between remote and very remote regions. The Classification is normally updated on a biennial basis, with the current dataset reflective of the year 2020. Data for previous versions are available for download in ESRI Shapefile format.The following processes were performed by Esri: The simplify polygon tool was run to reduce the number of vertices, fields were deleted and changed in the attribute table.

This dataset is published as Open DataThe Scottish Government (SG) Urban Rural Classification provides a consistent way of defining urban and rural areas across Scotland. The classification aids policy development and the understanding of issues facing urban, rural and remote communities. It is based upon two main criteria: (i) population as defined by National Records of Scotland (NRS), and (ii) accessibility based on drive time analysis to differentiate between accessible and remote areas in Scotland. The classification can be analysed in a two, three, six or eight fold form. The two-fold classification simply distinguishes between urban and rural areas through two categories, urban and rural, while the three-fold classification splits the rural category between accessible and remote. Most commonly used is the 6-fold classification which distinguishes between urban, rural, and remote areas through six categories. The 8-fold classification further distinguishes between remote and very remote regions. The Classification is normally updated on a biennial basis, with the current dataset reflective of the year 2020. Data for previous versions are available for download in ESRI Shapefile format.

The Scottish Government Urban Rural Classification provides a consistent way of defining urban and rural areas across Scotland. The classification is based upon two main criteria: (i) population as defined by the National Records of Scotland, and (ii) accessibility based on drive time analysis to differentiate between accessible and remote areas in Scotland. There are four levels for classification * 2-fold * 3-fold * 6-fold * 8-fold

The Scottish Government (SG) Urban Rural Classification provides a consistent way of defining urban and rural areas across Scotland. The classification aids policy development and the understanding of issues facing urban, rural and remote communities. It is based upon two main criteria:(i) population as defined by National Records of Scotland (NRS), and (ii) accessibility based on drive time analysis to differentiate between accessible and remote areas in Scotland.The classification can be analysed in a two, three, six or eight fold form. The two-fold classification simply distinguishes between urban and rural areas through two categories, urban and rural, while the three-fold classification splits the rural category between accessible and remote. Most commonly used is the 6-fold classification which distinguishes between urban, rural, and remote areas through six categories. The 8-fold classification further distinguishes between remote and very remote regions. The Classification is normally updated on a biennial basis, with the current dataset reflective of the year 2016. Data for previous versions are available for download in ESRI Shapefile format.

This section provides annual mid-year population estimates for Urban and Rural areas in Scotland. The population estimates are available for each year from 2001 onwards for 2011 Data Zones, broken down by 6 and 8 fold split, single year of age and sex. These estimates are based on the Scottish Government’s Urban Rural Classification 2020. Migration flows for Urban and Rural areas in Scotland are available broken down by total in, out and net migration and 6 fold split from 2001-02 onwards.

This dataset has been clipped to Stirling Council's Planning Policy BoundaryThe Scottish Government (SG) Urban Rural Classification provides a consistent way of defining urban and rural areas across Scotland. The classification aids policy development and the understanding of issues facing urban, rural and remote communities. It is based upon two main criteria: (i) population as defined by National Records of Scotland (NRS), and (ii) accessibility based on drive time analysis to differentiate between accessible and remote areas in Scotland. The classification can be analysed in a two, three, six or eight fold form. The two-fold classification simply distinguishes between urban and rural areas through two categories, urban and rural, while the three-fold classification splits the rural category between accessible and remote. Most commonly used is the 6-fold classification which distinguishes between urban, rural, and remote areas through six categories. The 8-fold classification further distinguishes between remote and very remote regions. The Classification is normally updated on a biennial basis, with the current dataset reflective of the year 2022.

This dataset has been clipped to Stirling Council's Planning Policy BoundaryThe Scottish Government (SG) Urban Rural Classification provides a consistent way of defining urban and rural areas across Scotland. The classification aids policy development and the understanding of issues facing urban, rural and remote communities. It is based upon two main criteria: (i) population as defined by National Records of Scotland (NRS), and (ii) accessibility based on drive time analysis to differentiate between accessible and remote areas in Scotland. The classification can be analysed in a two, three, six or eight fold form. The two-fold classification simply distinguishes between urban and rural areas through two categories, urban and rural, while the three-fold classification splits the rural category between accessible and remote. Most commonly used is the 6-fold classification which distinguishes between urban, rural, and remote areas through six categories. The 8-fold classification further distinguishes between remote and very remote regions. The Classification is normally updated on a biennial basis, with the current dataset reflective of the year 2022.

Number of VAT/PAYE registered stocks and sites operating in Scotland by Urban Rural Classification.

SN 8536 - Growing Up in Scotland: Cohort 1, Sweep 9, Urban-Rural Classification and Deciles of Carstairs Scores, 2017-2018: Secure Access
This study contains an Urban-Rural classification variable and a deciles of Carstairs scores variable for GUS Cohort 1, Sweep 9. An archive serial number variable is also included for matching to the main data files. These data have more restrictive access conditions than those available under Special Licence (see 'Access' section).

This section provides estimates of the number and percentage of dwellings which are occupied, vacant, unoccupied exemptions, long-term empty, second homes, occupied and exempt from paying council tax, or that are receiving a ‘single adult’ Council Tax discount broken down by 6 and 8 fold split Urban and Rural areas. The estimates are available for each year from 2014 onwards. Last update: 22 June 2023 Next update: June 2024 This section provides estimates of the number and characteristics of dwellings broken down by 6 and 8 fold split Urban and Rural areas. Information is given on Council Tax Band, type of dwelling, number of rooms per dwelling and number of dwellings per hectare. The estimates are available for each year from 2005 onwards. (Data for 2018 to 2022 on type of dwelling and number of rooms are not yet available for publication.)

SN 8828 - Growing Up in Scotland: Cohort 1, Sweep 10, Geography Data, Urban-Rural Classification and Deciles of Carstairs Scores, 2019-2020: Secure Access
This study contains an Urban-Rural classification variable and a deciles of Carstairs scores variable GUS Cohort 1, Sweep 10. An archive serial number variable is also included for matching to the main data files. These data have more restrictive access conditions than those available under Special Licence (see 'Access' section).

Number of datazones, population of mainland Scotland (2001) and percentage of total population by income deprivation and urban/rural classification.

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.

The Scottish Household Survey (SHS) is a continuous survey based on a sample of the general population in private residences in Scotland. It is financed by the Scottish Government (previously the Scottish Executive). The survey started in 1999 and up to 2011 followed a fairly consistent survey design. From 2012 onwards, the survey was substantially redesigned to include elements of the Scottish House Condition Survey (SHCS) (also available from the UK Data Service), including the physical survey. The SHS is run through a consortium led by Ipsos MORI. The survey is designed to provide reliable and up-to-date information on the composition, characteristics, attitudes and behaviour of private households and individuals, both nationally and at a sub-national level and to examine the physical condition of Scotland's homes. It covers a wide range of topics to allow links to be made between different policy areas.

Further information about the survey series, and links to publications, can be found on the Scottish Government's Scottish Household Survey webpages.

COVID-19 restrictions

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the SHS was conducted by telephone or via MS Teams in 2020 and 2021 (SNs 9186 and 9187). Face-to-face interviewing resumed for SHS 2022 (SN 9294) when restrictions had been lifted.

For the third edition, data and documentation for the 2004 wave of the survey were added to the dataset. In addition, the depositor supplied five Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) and urban-rural classification variables, which have been added to the main data file. See documentation for details.

As geography reference material, this file contains lookup information, showing how 2011 data zone geographic units can be aggregated to higher level archived geographies. The compressed file includes a file with the archived geography codes register containing dates between which each geography was valid and covers changes to geographies made before 04/07/2024 - DataZone2011-Archived-Geographies.csv. The geographies covered by this table are: (GSS code - Name - Column name in file) S01 - Data Zone - DZ2011 S13 - Multi Member Electoral Wards - MMWard S12 - Local Authority - LA S16 - Scottish Parliamentary Constituencies - SPC S08 - NHS Health Board - HB S14 - UK Parliamentary Constituencies - UKPC The compressed file also contains full lookup tables for the most recent updates after 05/05/2022 with the dates between which the lookup is valid included in the file name. The geographies included in these lookup tables are: (GSS code - Name - Column name in file) S01 - Data Zone - DZ2011 S02 - Intermediate Zone - IZ2011 S13 - Multi Member Electoral Wards - MMWard S12 - Local Authority - LA S16 - Scottish Parliamentary Constituencies - SPC S14 - UK Parliamentary Constituencies - UKPC S08 - NHS Health Board - HB S37 - NHS Integration Authorities - HIA S32 - Scottish Police Divisions - SPD S39 - Scottish Fire and Rescue Local Senior Officer Areas - SFRLSO S40 - Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Delivery Areas - SFRSDA S43 - Regional Resilience Partnerships - RRP S42 - Local Resilience Partnerships - LRP S22 - Travel to Work Areas - TTWA Scottish Government Urban Rural Classification - UR2, UR3, UR6, UR8 S92 - Scotland - Country Note - data for Travel to Work Areas (S22) also includes geography code K01, which relates to a cross-border Travel to Work Area. The full Standard Geography Code Register for Scotland can be accessed on the Scottish Government website.

This dataset defines the Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN) Core and Fringe zone contribution areas. This forms part of the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) 2014 - 2020 Forestry Grant Scheme. The data is based on the Scottish Governments Urban/Rural Classification 2011/12 dataset which classifies postcode areas according to settlement size and drive times to settlements. The CSGN Contribution is only available within the CSGN area. It is offered to help land managers deliver the aims of the CSGN and in recognition of the higher costs involved with new woodland creation in this region. The rate awarded will be dependant on which of the two zones forms the greatest component of the application (ie. if more than 50% of the new woodland is within the fringe area, then the whole application will receive the fringe rate). The CSGN is included in National Planning Framework 2 (NPF2) as one of only 14 National Developments considered by Ministers to be essential elements of the strategy for Scotland's long term development. As a national priority, it will change the face of Central Scotland, by restoring and transforming the landscape of an area stretching from Ayrshire and Inverclyde in the west, to Fife and the Lothians in the east which will deliver: '...a step change in environmental quality, woodland cover and recreational opportunities...[and] make Central Scotland a more attractive place to live in, do business and visit; help to absorb CO2; enhance biodiversity; and promote active travel and healthier life styles'.

Years of Healthy Life Expectancy (including confidence intervals) by age, sex, deprivation, and urban rural classification

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.

The Scottish Surveys Core Questions (SSCQ) is an annual Official Statistics publication for Scotland. SSCQ provides reliable and detailed information on the composition, characteristics and attitudes of Scottish households and adults across a number of topic areas including equality characteristics, housing, employment and perceptions of health and crime. SSCQ gathers survey responses from identical questions in the Scottish Crime and Justice Survey, the Scottish Health Survey and the Scottish Household Survey into one output. The pooling of Core Questions results in an annual sample of around 21,000 respondents, providing unprecedented precision of estimates at national level. This sample size enables the detailed and reliable analysis of key national estimates by country of birth, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, age and sex, marital status, education level and economic activity, as well as tenure, car access and household type. SSCQ also enables a detailed sub-national analysis by Local Authority, urban-rural classification and Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation.

Further information can be found on the Scottish Government's Scottish Surveys Core Questions webpage.


The SSCQ 2016 is the latest pooled data release.


Main Topics:

This study covers the following main topics: self-assessed health, long-term conditions, smoking, mental wellbeing, provision of unpaid care, perceptions of crime in the local area and confidence in the police.

This dataset represents passenger and vehicle ferry services in Scotland. These are the routes for the start and end terminals in the Scottish Ferry Ports dataset. It was initially created for use within the development of the Scottish Government's Urban Rural Classification. Both subsidised and private routes are included, as well as the seasonality of the route and whether it can take vehicle or foot passengers only. Ferry routes and attributes are based upon route information obtained from operator websites (e.g. Caledonian MacBrayne, NorthLink Ferries, etc.).

Data from the Transport and Travel related questions asked in the Scottish Household Survey 2016. Data is of average distance traveled (km) nationally. Data is classified by Local Authority, Regional Transport Partnership, and Urban/Rural Classification. Reproduced via Open Government Licence. https://www.transport.gov.scot/publication/26-september-2017-transport-and-travel-in-scotland-2016/

Data from the Transport and Travel related questions asked in the Scottish Household Survey 2018. Data is of average distance traveled (km) nationally. Data is classified by Local Authority, Regional Transport Partnership, and Urban/Rural Classification. Reproduced via Open Government Licence. https://www.transport.gov.scot/publication/transport-and-travel-in-scotland-results-from-the-scottish-household-survey-1/