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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).
Data updated June 2026
Discover Lerwick, United Kingdom
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About Lerwick
Lerwick is the main town and port of the Shetland archipelago, Scotland. Shetland's only burgh, Lerwick had a population of about 7,000 residents in 2010. It is the northernmost major settlement within the United Kingdom.
People
Economy
BHousing
AClimate
Education
A+Community
| Population | 6,760 |
| Population Density | 5,541 / sq mi |
| Coordinates | 60.1534°, -1.1443° |
| Timezone | Europe/London |
| Country | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom |
| State / Province | Scotland |
| Average Temperature | 45°F (7°C) |
| January Average | 39°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 53°F (12°C) |
| Annual Precipitation | 46.6 inches (1,184 mm) |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0 inches (0 cm) |
| Median Household Income | $59,089 |
| Median Age | 40.6 years |
About Lerwick
Lerwick is a small city in United Kingdom (Scotland) with a population of 6,760. The average annual temperature is 45°F (7°C). Temperatures range from 39°F in January to 53°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 46.6 inches. The timezone is Europe/London.
Population
Gender Distribution
Language Spoken at Home
Social Characteristics
Lerwick vs United Kingdom Average
Income: Lerwick vs United Kingdom
Commute Mode
Income
| Median HH Income | $59,089 |
| 21% below United Kingdom avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $59,089 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $1,136 |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 4.8% |
| 32% above United Kingdom avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 615 |
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 | $245,422 |
| 13% below United Kingdom avg |
Real Estate Market (Redfin)
Rental Costs
| Census Median Rent | $1,477 |
| 27% above United Kingdom avg |
Ownership & Property
| Homeownership | 65.0% |
| Owner-Occupied | 65.0% |
| Renter-Occupied | 35.0% |
| Housing Units | 2,704 |
Property Tax
Climate in Lerwick
Lerwick has an average annual temperature of 7.7°C (46°F). The hottest month is Aug (12.6°C), the coldest is Feb (3.8°C). Average annual precipitation is 1263 mm.
Temperature
| Annual Average | 45.3°F |
| 16% below United Kingdom avg | |
| January Average | 39°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 53°F (12°C) |
| Sunny Days | 251 days/yr |
Geography
| Area | 1.2 sq mi (3.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 5,541/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 60.1534°N, 1.1443°W |
| Timezone | Europe/London |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 39°F (4°C) | 5.1 in | |
| February | 39°F (4°C) | 4.0 in | Coldest |
| March | 40°F (4°C) | 4.7 in | |
| April | 42°F (6°C) | 2.8 in | |
| May | 46°F (8°C) | 2.0 in | Driest |
| June | 50°F (10°C) | 2.2 in | |
| July | 53°F (12°C) | 2.2 in | |
| August | 54°F (12°C) | 3.0 in | Warmest |
| September | 51°F (11°C) | 4.4 in | |
| October | 47°F (9°C) | 5.0 in | |
| November | 43°F (6°C) | 5.8 in | Wettest |
| December | 40°F (5°C) | 5.5 in |
Lerwick has a seasonal temperature swing of 15°F / from 39°F in February to 54°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 46.6 inches, with November being the wettest month (5.8") and May the driest (2.0").
Education
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.0% |
| 48% above United Kingdom avg | |
| High School+ | 84.0% |
Area & Infrastructure
| Population Density | 5,541/sq mi |
| Total Area | 1.2 sq mi |
Services
Commute & Transportation
| Drive Alone | 60.0% |
| Public Transit | 18.0% |
| Work from Home | 24.0% |
Colleges & Universities in Lerwick
| Institution | Type | Founded | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| UHI Shetland - Islesburgh Learning Centre | College | — | — |
| UHI Shetland - Lerwick Campus | University | — | Visit → |
| UHI Shetland - North Mainland LC1 | College | — | — |
| UHI Shetland - Scalloway Campus | College | — | — |
| UHI Shetland - Whalsay Learning Centre | College | — | — |
Schools in Lerwick
4 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).
| School | Level | Enrollment | Teachers | Student/Teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sound Primary School | — | — | — | — |
| Bell's Brae Primary School | — | — | — | — |
| Tingwall Primary School | — | — | — | — |
| Anderson High School | — | — | — | — |
Radio Stations near Lerwick
1 stations within ~55 km.
| Station | Genre | Quality | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SIBC | 96.2fm, local emphasis | MP3 192 kbps |
Museums in Lerwick
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Annual Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bressay Heritage Centre | ||||
| Crofthouse Museum | ||||
| Mousa Ferry Waiting Room Exhibition | ||||
| Scalloway Museum | ||||
| Shetland Museum and Archives | ||||
| Shetland Textile Museum | ||||
| The Cabin Museum |
Libraries in Lerwick
| Name | Address | Staff | Annual Visits | Circulation | Collection | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shetland Library | 0.0 |
Hotels in Lerwick
6 hotels within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Restaurants in Lerwick
10 restaurants within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Cafes in Lerwick
9 cafes within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Theatres in Lerwick
1 theatres within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Monuments in Lerwick
1 monuments within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Clinics in Lerwick
1 clinics within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Dentists in Lerwick
1 dentists within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Veterinaries in Lerwick
1 veterinaries within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Bus Stations in Lerwick
1 bus stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Gas Stations in Lerwick
4 gas stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Banks in Lerwick
4 banks within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Shopping Malls in Lerwick
2 shopping malls within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Airports Near Lerwick
8 airports within the area.
| Airport | IATA | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Sumburgh Airport | LSI | Medium Airport |
| Fair Isle Airport | FIE | Small Airport |
| Fetlar Airstrip | — | Small Airport |
| Lerwick / Tingwall Airport | LWK | Small Airport |
| Out Skerries Airfield | — | Small Airport |
| Papa Stour Airstrip | — | Small Airport |
| Unst Airfield | — | Small Airport |
| Whalsay Airstrip | WHS | Small Airport |
Post Offices in Lerwick
3 post offices.
| Post Office | Address |
|---|---|
| Bressay Post Office | |
| Freefield Post Office | |
| Lerwick Post Office |
Churches & Religious Organizations in Lerwick
10 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Adam Clark Methodist Church Minster | |
| Bressay Church | |
| Garthspool Evangelical Church | |
| Lerwick Baptist Church | |
| Shetland Church of Scotland | |
| Sound Gospel Hall | |
| St Columba's Church of Scotland | |
| St Margaret and the Sacred Heart | |
| The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | |
| The Scottish Episcopal Church St Magnus |
Quick Facts
🇬🇧 About United Kingdom
Public Holidays in United Kingdom
14 public holidays this year
Download Full City Report
Get a comprehensive, print-ready PDF with all data for Lerwick.
Get ReportFrequently Asked Questions About Lerwick
What is the population of Lerwick?
Lerwick has a population of 6,760 residents and is located in United Kingdom. The population density is 5,541 people per square mile, spread across 1.2 square miles. The median age of residents is 40.6 years. The population is 50.5% female and 49.5% male.
Is Lerwick expensive to live in?
The median household income is $59,089, 21% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $245,422 (13% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $1,477 per month, above the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 4.2x, indicating housing is reasonably affordable relative to local income levels.
What is the weather like in Lerwick?
Lerwick has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winter temperatures average 39°F in January, while summers reach an average of 53°F in July. The area receives 251 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 46.6 inches.
How is the job market in Lerwick?
Lerwick has a healthy job market with an unemployment rate of 4.8%, near the national average of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $1,136. There are 615 business establishments in the area.
How much does housing cost in Lerwick?
The median home value in Lerwick is $245,422. For renters, the median monthly rent is $1,477. The homeownership rate is 65.0%.
How are the schools in Lerwick?
50.0% of adults in Lerwick 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 Lerwick?
90% of residents speak only English at home.