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Lerwick, United Kingdom

Scotland · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom

Lerwick is a small city in Scotland, United Kingdom with a population of 6,760. Average temperature: 45°F (7°C).

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
6,760 Population 5,541/sq mi density
45°F Avg Temperature 7°C
46.6 in Annual Rain
Europe / London Timezone
$59,089 Median Income
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$59,089 median income, 4.8% unemployment
B+
Education
3.9 / 5.0
36.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $59,089
21% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 36.2%
7% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 26.8%
16% lower than US avg
Unemployment 4.8%
32% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.5%
96% lower than US avg

People

Population6,760
Median Age40.6 yrs
Density5,541/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%

Economy

B+
Median Income$59,089
Per Capita$49,944
Unemployment4.8%
Poverty0.5%

Health

Obesity26.8%
UninsuredN/A
Smoking9.8%
Depression13.5%

Climate

Avg Temp45°F (7°C)
AQI9 (Good)
Rain46.6 in/yr
Sunny Days251/yr

Education

B+
Bachelor's+36.2%
High School+99.0%

Community

CommuteN/A
Broadband96.3%
Population6,760
Population Density5,541 / sq mi
Coordinates60.1534°, -1.1443°
TimezoneEurope/London
Country🇬🇧 United Kingdom
State / ProvinceScotland
Average Temperature45°F (7°C)
January Average39°F (4°C)
July Average53°F (12°C)
Annual Precipitation46.6 inches (1,184 mm)
Annual Snowfall0.0 inches (0 cm)
Median Household Income$59,089
Median Age40.6 years

Is Lerwick a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Lerwick receives an overall livability score of 3.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate, strong internet connectivity. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Lerwick offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Lerwick is $59,089, 21% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.8%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 0.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 36.2% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 99.0% have completed high school.

Climate & Weather

Lerwick has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F. Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 53°F in July. With 251 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 46.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 9.

Lerwick has a population of 6,760 with a density of 5,541 people per square mile, spread across 1.2 square miles. The median age is 40.6 years, 4% older than the national median of 38.9. The gender split is 50.8% female and 49.2% male. 21.4% of residents have a disability (above the 13.0% national average). 88.0% have health insurance coverage.

Population

6,760
Total Population
5,541
People / sq mi
40.6yrs
Median Age
4% above US avg
1.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.2%
Female 50.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Lerwick vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

Other Languages100%

Social Characteristics

Lerwick vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Lerwick is $59,089, which is 21% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $49,944 (above the $39,052 national figure). The unemployment rate is 4.8% (above the 3.6% US average). 0.5% of residents live below the poverty line, lower than the national rate of 12.4%. The cost of living index is 85.9, below the national baseline of 100 — offering relatively affordable living.

Income: Lerwick vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$59,089
21% below US avg
Per Capita Income$49,944

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.8%
32% above US avg
Poverty Rate0.5%
96% below US avg

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Cost of Living85.90 (100=avg)

Commute & Transportation

Walkability

In Lerwick, 26.8% of adults are obese, below the national rate of 32.1%. 5.8% have diabetes (below the 10.5% national rate). 26.4% have high blood pressure. 9.8% are current smokers (below the 14.0% national rate). 10.9% report binge drinking. 79.9% are physically inactive, above the national average. 13.5% report depression (below the 20.0% national average).

Health Metrics: Lerwick vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity26.8%
16% below US avg
Diabetes5.8%
High Blood Pressure26.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking9.8%
30% below US avg
Binge Drinking10.9%
Physical Inactivity79.9%
Depression13.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.0%

Food & Exercise

Lerwick has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 53°F in July — relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 251 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 46.6 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 9 — among the cleanest air in the country. 93% of days have good air quality.

Temperature

39°F Jan (4°C) 53°F Jul (12°C)
Annual Average45.3°F
16% below US avg
January Average39°F (4°C)
July Average53°F (12°C)
Sunny Days251 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall46.6 inches
23% above US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median9.0
RatingGood
Good Days %93.2%

Geography

Area1.2 sq mi (3.2 km²)
Population Density5,541/sq mi
Coordinates60.1534°N, 1.1443°W
TimezoneEurope/London

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temp Precipitation
Jan 39°F (4°C)
5.1"
Feb 39°F (4°C)
4.0"
Mar 40°F (4°C)
4.7"
Apr 42°F (6°C)
2.8"
May 46°F (8°C)
2.0"
Jun 50°F (10°C)
2.2"
Jul 53°F (12°C)
2.2"
Aug 54°F (12°C)
3.0"
Sep 51°F (11°C)
4.4"
Oct 47°F (9°C)
5.0"
Nov 43°F (6°C)
5.8"
Dec 40°F (5°C)
5.5"

The warmest month is August at 54°F, while the coldest is February at 39°F — a seasonal swing of 15°F. November sees the most rain (5.8"), while May is the driest (2.0").

36.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, 7% above the national average of 33.7%. 99.0% have completed high school. 96.3% of households have broadband internet access.

Education

Bachelor's Degree+36.2%
7% above US avg
High School+99.0%
B+ Education Grade (3.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

Population Density5,541/sq mi
Total Area1.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access96.3%

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Nearby Cities

Scalloway, SCT 1,100 pop · 4.7 mi Sandwick, SCT 1,217 pop · 11.2 mi
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