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Population, Age, Gender & Sexual Orientation

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Total Population

93,150 people live in Midlothian

Projected Population

Population projections are estimates of the growth or decline in the number and characteristics of people living in an area. They take into account things like the local birth rate and how many people are coming to live in the area or leaving it each year.

The Midlothian population has been growing. The 2018 projection predicts a population of 100,000 by 2025, a 20% increase on the 2011 census population of 83,400.

The largest percentage increase will be in those aged 75 and over.

Midlothian’s population has shown an increase due to migration in the six years to 2015/16.  This in-flow has increased fourfold in that time, with the bulk of the increase due to migration from elsewhere in Scotland.

By 2040, the number of households in Midlothian is projected to increase to 52,266. In 2018 there were 39,122 households.

Population Projections (2018 based) with mid-year Estimate Population (2002-2020)

The population of Midlothian has steadily increased from around 80,000 in 2006 to 93,150 by 2020. This trend is expected to continue, with the projected population of Midlothian reaching 110,265 by 2034.

 

 

 

Localities

Due to the practicalities and implications of planning and commissioning on a small scale we operate on an East-West approach to the establishment of two localities.

There are 10 data zones in the most deprived 20% areas (19). There are 3 areas of multiple deprivation – all in EAST Midlothian. They include areas of Gorebridge, Mayfield and Woodburn [Dalkeith & District]

Map of Midlothian localities West and East

The most highly populated intermediate zone in the Midlothian West locality is Penicuik & District with 13,948 residents, followed by Bonnyrigg & Lasswade with 11,538 and Poltonhall & District with 6,046.

The most highly populated intermediate zone in the Midlothian East locality is Dalkeith & District with 8,800 residents, followed by Mayfield & Easthouses with 7,577 and Gorebridge & Dstrict with 6,197.

 

 

Age

Compared with the rest of Scotland, Midlothian has above average populations of children, the older element of the working population and retired people and below average populations of over 75s and young adults.

Populations of Midlothian and Scotland by Age (2020)

There is a higher percentage of children in Midlothian than in Scotland overall, with 19.4% of the population under the age of 16 compared with 16.8% in Scotland. The proportion of young adults is lower in Midlothian, with 15.2% of the population in the 16-29 age group in Midlothian and 17.3% in Scotland. Midlothian and Scotland are similar for all other age groups except over 75s where they make up 8.1% of the population on Midlothian versus 8.6% in Scotland.

 

 

Gender

The female proportion of the population increases with age. This has implications for pensioner poverty as, historically, women have smaller retirement pensions.

There are more females in Midlothian’s adult population than males. The proportion of females to males is at its highest in the over 75 age group, with 4,310 females compared with 3,193 males. In contrast, there are more male children under the ages of 16 than female, with 9,142 and 8, 947 respectively.

 

We do not have reliable local figures for Trans and other gender identities. The Scottish Government does not currently have a recommended survey question to collect information about gender identity.

 

Sexual Orientation

Sexual Orientation is a combination of emotional, romantic, sexual or affectionate attraction or feelings towards another person. It is about a person's identity.  Data on sexual orientation is currently based on the Scottish Survey Core Question 2019. The percentages for each group or area are based on a weighted response, with 95% confidence intervals included.

Based on the Scottish Surveys Core Questions 2019:

2.9% (+/- 0.3) of the Scottish population identify as lesbian, gay bisexual or other.

2.3% (+/- 1.5) of Midlothian’s population identify as lesbian, gay bisexual or other

 

Compared to heterosexual adults, LGBTI adults were more likely to be younger; be single; live in large urban areas; live in deprived areas; live in a single-person household; identify as having no religion; smoke; and be unemployed.

20% of people had experienced a hate crime or incident due to their sexual orientation and/or gender identity 2017. 80% of these said they didn’t report this to the police