AREA PROFILE

Aberdeenshire is a predominantly rural area in the North East of Scotland. Traditionally, it has been economically dependent upon the primary sector (agriculture, fishing, forestry) and related processing industries. Within the last 30 years, the emergence of the oil and gas industry and the development of the service sector have broadened Aberdeenshire’s economic base, leading to rapid population growth.

Aberdeenshire has a population of 226,871, representing 4.5% of Scotland’s total, a 20% increase in the last 20 years. The Major towns are Peterhead (17,947), Fraserburgh (12,454), Inverurie (10,882), Stonehaven (9,577), Westhill (9,498) and Ellon (8,754).

The population has a higher proportion of younger age groups than the rest of Scotland, reflecting employment-driven in-migration in recent decades. It has many areas of low unemployment and comparative wealth but often they live in close proximity to areas of deprivation.

Aberdeenshire has devolved power to six Area Committees: Banff and Buchan; Buchan; Formartine; Garioch; Marr; Kincardine and Mearns. The six areas have diverse characteristics, problems and opportunities.