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Kirkwall, United Kingdom
Scotland · United Kingdom
Kirkwall is a small city in Scotland, United Kingdom with a population of 7,150. Elevation: 10 ft (3 m). Average temperature: 46°F (8°C).
Data updated June 2026
Discover Kirkwall, United Kingdom
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About Kirkwall
Kirkwall is the largest town in Orkney, an archipelago to the north of mainland Scotland. First mentioned in the Orkneyinga saga, it is today the location of the headquarters of the Orkney Islands Council and a transport hub with ferries to many locations. It is the centre of the St Magnus International Festival and is also a popular stopping off point for cruise ships. St Magnus Cathedral stands at the heart of the town.
People
Economy
BHousing
B+Climate
Education
A+Community
| Population | 7,150 |
| Population Density | 5,107 / sq mi |
| Elevation | 10 ft (3 m) |
| Coordinates | 58.9848°, -2.9587° |
| Timezone | Europe/London |
| Country | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom |
| State / Province | Scotland |
| Average Temperature | 46°F (8°C) |
| January Average | 40°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 54°F (12°C) |
| Annual Precipitation | 41.8 inches (1,061 mm) |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0 inches (0 cm) |
| Median Household Income | $55,156 |
| Median Age | 40.6 years |
About Kirkwall
Kirkwall is a small city in United Kingdom (Scotland) with a population of 7,150. The city sits at an elevation of 10 feet (3 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 46°F (8°C). Temperatures range from 40°F in January to 54°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 41.8 inches. The timezone is Europe/London.
Population
Gender Distribution
Language Spoken at Home
Social Characteristics
Kirkwall vs United Kingdom Average
Income: Kirkwall vs United Kingdom
Commute Mode
Income
| Median HH Income | $55,156 |
| 27% below United Kingdom avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $55,156 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $1,061 |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 4.8% |
| 32% above United Kingdom avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 651 |
Business (County)
Tax & Cost of Living
Commute & Transportation
| Drive Alone | 60.0% |
| Public Transit | 18.0% |
| Work from Home | 24.0% |
Walkability
Home Value Sources
Ownership Split
Home Values
| Census Median | $278,153 |
| 1% below United Kingdom avg |
Real Estate Market (Redfin)
Rental Costs
| Census Median Rent | $1,379 |
| 19% above United Kingdom avg |
Ownership & Property
| Homeownership | 65.0% |
| Owner-Occupied | 65.0% |
| Renter-Occupied | 35.0% |
| Housing Units | 2,860 |
Property Tax
Climate in Kirkwall
Kirkwall has an average annual temperature of 8.3°C (47°F). The hottest month is Aug (13.3°C), the coldest is Jan (4.4°C). Average annual precipitation is 1034 mm.
Temperature
| Annual Average | 46.0°F |
| 15% below United Kingdom avg | |
| January Average | 40°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 54°F (12°C) |
| Sunny Days | 260 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 10 ft (3 m) |
| Area | 1.4 sq mi (3.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 5,107/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 58.9848°N, 2.9587°W |
| Timezone | Europe/London |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40°F (4°C) | 4.3 in | |
| February | 39°F (4°C) | 3.4 in | Coldest |
| March | 40°F (5°C) | 3.9 in | |
| April | 43°F (6°C) | 2.6 in | |
| May | 47°F (8°C) | 2.1 in | Driest |
| June | 51°F (10°C) | 2.2 in | |
| July | 54°F (12°C) | 2.4 in | |
| August | 55°F (13°C) | 2.9 in | Warmest |
| September | 52°F (11°C) | 4.0 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 4.6 in | |
| November | 43°F (6°C) | 5.0 in | Wettest |
| December | 41°F (5°C) | 4.6 in |
Kirkwall has a seasonal temperature swing of 15°F / from 39°F in February to 55°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 41.8 inches, with November being the wettest month (5.0") and May the driest (2.1").
Education
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.0% |
| 48% above United Kingdom avg | |
| High School+ | 84.0% |
Area & Infrastructure
| Population Density | 5,107/sq mi |
| Total Area | 1.4 sq mi |
Services
Commute & Transportation
| Drive Alone | 60.0% |
| Public Transit | 18.0% |
| Work from Home | 24.0% |
Colleges & Universities in Kirkwall
| Institution | Type | Founded | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heriot-Watt University - Orkney Campus | University | — | Visit → |
| Orkney College UHI | University | — | — |
| Orkney College UHI - Maritime Studies | University | — | — |
| Robert Gordon University Orkney Project | University | — | — |
Schools in Kirkwall
6 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).
| School | Level | Enrollment | Teachers | Student/Teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Papdale Primary School | — | — | — | — |
| Shapinsay Community School | — | — | — | — |
| St Andrew's Primary School | — | — | — | — |
| Firth Primary School | — | — | — | — |
| Glaitness School | — | — | — | — |
| Kirkwall Grammar School | — | — | — | — |
Radio Stations near Kirkwall
0 stations within ~55 km.
| Station | Genre | Quality |
|---|
Museums in Kirkwall
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Annual Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eday Heritage & Visitor Centre | ||||
| Flotta Heritage Centre / Museum | ||||
| Highland Park Distillery Visitor Centre | ||||
| Orkney Fossil and Vintage Centre | ||||
| Orkney Museum | ||||
| Orkney Wireless Museum | ||||
| Orkneyinga Saga Centre | ||||
| Rousay Heritage Centre | ||||
| Scapa Flow Visitor Centre & Museum | ||||
| Shapinsay Heritage Centre | ||||
| Tomb of the Eagles Visitor's Centre | ||||
| Town Hall | ||||
| W. Hourston Blacksmith's Museum |
Libraries in Kirkwall
| Name | Address | Staff | Annual Visits | Circulation | Collection | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orkney Library & Archive | 0.0 |
Hotels in Kirkwall
14 hotels within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Restaurants in Kirkwall
9 restaurants within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Cafes in Kirkwall
7 cafes within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Cinemas in Kirkwall
1 cinemas within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Theatres in Kirkwall
2 theatres within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Monuments in Kirkwall
1 monuments within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Castles in Kirkwall
2 castles within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Clinics in Kirkwall
1 clinics within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Dentists in Kirkwall
2 dentists within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Veterinaries in Kirkwall
2 veterinaries within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Bus Stations in Kirkwall
2 bus stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Gas Stations in Kirkwall
7 gas stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Banks in Kirkwall
5 banks within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Golf Courses in Kirkwall
1 golf courses within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Airports Near Kirkwall
11 airports within the area.
| Airport | IATA | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Eday Airport | EOI | Medium Airport |
| Kirkwall Airport | KOI | Medium Airport |
| Wick John O'Groats Airport | WIC | Medium Airport |
| Corston Airstrip | — | Small Airport |
| Flotta Isle Airstrip | FLH | Small Airport |
| Lamb Holm Airfield | — | Small Airport |
| North Ronaldsay Airport | NRL | Small Airport |
| Papa Westray Airport | PPW | Small Airport |
| Sanday Airport | NDY | Small Airport |
| Stronsay Airport | SOY | Small Airport |
| Westray Airport | WRY | Small Airport |
Post Offices in Kirkwall
5 post offices.
| Post Office | Address |
|---|---|
| Balfour Post Office | |
| Finstown Post Office | |
| Kirkwall Post Office | |
| Papdale Post Office | |
| St Andrews Post Office |
UNESCO World Heritage Sites Near Kirkwall
1 UNESCO sites.
| Site | Category | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Skara Brae |
Churches & Religious Organizations in Kirkwall
10 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Firth Church | |
| Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses | |
| Kirkwall Baptist Church | |
| Kirkwall East Church | |
| North Church | |
| Our Lady and St Joseph RC Church | |
| Peedie Kirk (Kirkwall URC) | |
| Saint Magnus Cathedral | |
| St Olaf Scottish Episcopal Church | |
| The Salvation Army |
Quick Facts
🇬🇧 About United Kingdom
UNESCO World Heritage Sites Near Kirkwall
Public Holidays in United Kingdom
14 public holidays this year
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Get a comprehensive, print-ready PDF with all data for Kirkwall.
Get ReportFrequently Asked Questions About Kirkwall
What is the population of Kirkwall?
Kirkwall has a population of 7,150 residents and is located in United Kingdom. The population density is 5,107 people per square mile, spread across 1.4 square miles. The median age of residents is 40.6 years. The population is 50.5% female and 49.5% male.
Is Kirkwall expensive to live in?
The median household income is $55,156, 27% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $278,153 (1% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $1,379 per month, above the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 5x, indicating housing is reasonably affordable relative to local income levels.
What is the weather like in Kirkwall?
Kirkwall has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winter temperatures average 40°F in January, while summers reach an average of 54°F in July. The area receives 260 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 41.8 inches.
How is the job market in Kirkwall?
Kirkwall has a healthy job market with an unemployment rate of 4.8%, near the national average of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $1,061. There are 651 business establishments in the area.
How much does housing cost in Kirkwall?
The median home value in Kirkwall is $278,153. For renters, the median monthly rent is $1,379. The homeownership rate is 65.0%.
How are the schools in Kirkwall?
50.0% of adults in Kirkwall hold a bachelor's degree or higher, above the national average of 33.7%. 84.0% have completed high school.
What are the demographics of Kirkwall?
90% of residents speak only English at home.