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Thurso, United Kingdom

Scotland · United Kingdom

Thurso is a small city in Scotland, United Kingdom with a population of 7,760. Elevation: 72 ft (22 m). Average temperature: 46°F (8°C).

Data updated June 2026

4.0 /5.0
A Great
7,760 Population 4,172/sq mi density
72 ft Elevation 22 meters
46°F Avg Temperature 8°C
41.2 in Annual Rain
Europe / London Timezone
$50,470 Median Income
A
Overall
4.0 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.3 / 5.0
$50,470 median income, 4.8% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.7 / 5.0
$263,722 home value, $1,262/mo rent
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
50.0% bachelor's degree or higher

Discover Thurso, United Kingdom

Explore over 40 sections covering people, economy, housing, health, crime, climate, community, costs, trends, schools, colleges, hospitals, treatment centers, industries, museums, libraries, breweries, farmers markets, grocery stores, pharmacies, campgrounds, parks, trails, stadiums, ski resorts, daycare centers, nursing homes, churches, fire stations, cell towers, bridges, power plants, EV stations, prisons, radio stations, airports, police stations, post offices, Amtrak stations, superfund sites, UNESCO sites, and more.
Use the tabs and dropdown menus below to navigate every data point we track for this city.

Full City Profile

People

Population7,760
Median Age40.6 yrs
Density4,172/mi²
Male / Female50% / 51%

Economy

B
Median Income$50,470
Per Capita$50,470
Unemployment4.8%

Housing

B+
Home Value$263,722
Rent$1,262
Ownership65.0%
Housing Units3,104

Climate

Avg Temp46°F (8°C)
Rain41.2 in/yr
Sunny Days261/yr
Elevation72 ft (22 m)

Education

A+
Bachelor's+50.0%
High School+84.0%

Community

Population7,760
Population Density4,172 / sq mi
Elevation72 ft (22 m)
Coordinates58.5927°, -3.5259°
TimezoneEurope/London
Country🇬🇧 United Kingdom
State / ProvinceScotland
Average Temperature46°F (8°C)
January Average38°F (4°C)
July Average54°F (12°C)
Annual Precipitation41.2 inches (1,047 mm)
Annual Snowfall0.0 inches (0 cm)
Median Household Income$50,470
Median Age40.6 years

About Thurso

Thurso is a small city in United Kingdom (Scotland) with a population of 7,760. The city sits at an elevation of 72 feet (22 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 46°F (8°C). Temperatures range from 38°F in January to 54°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 41.2 inches. The timezone is Europe/London.

Thurso has a population of 7,760 with a density of 4,172 people per square mile, spread across 1.9 square miles. The median age is 40.6 years, 4% older than the national median of 38.9. The gender split is 50.5% female and 49.5% male. English is the primary language spoken at home by 90% of residents.

Population

7,760
Total Population
4,172
People / sq mi
40.6yrs
Median Age
4% above United Kingdom avg
1.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.5%
Female 50.5%

Language Spoken at Home

English Only 90.0%
15% above United Kingdom avg
Other Languages 10.0%

Social Characteristics

Thurso vs United Kingdom Average

The median household income in Thurso is $50,470, which is 33% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $50,470 (above the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $971, 32% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 4.8% (above the 3.6% US average). The area has 706 business establishments. 24.0% of workers work from home (above the 15.2% national rate).

Income: Thurso vs United Kingdom

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$50,470
33% below United Kingdom avg
Per Capita Income$50,470
Avg Weekly Wage$971

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.8%
32% above United Kingdom avg
Establishments (County)706

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Drive Alone60.0%
Public Transit18.0%
Work from Home24.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Thurso is $263,722, 6% below the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $1,262 (9% above the national average of $1,163). 65.0% of housing units are owner-occupied. There are 3,104 total housing units in the city. The home price-to-income ratio is 5.2x, above the traditionally affordable threshold of 3-4x.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$263,722
6% below United Kingdom avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,262
9% above United Kingdom avg

Ownership & Property

Homeownership65.0%
Owner-Occupied65.0%
Renter-Occupied35.0%
Housing Units3,104

Property Tax

Climate in Thurso

Thurso has an average annual temperature of 8.2°C (47°F). The hottest month is Aug (13.3°C), the coldest is Jan (4°C). Average annual precipitation is 809 mm.

Month Avg °C / °F Min / Max °C Rain (mm)
Jan 4°C / 39°F 1.7° / 6.4° 73.0
Feb 4°C / 39°F 1.3° / 6.7° 64.1
Mar 5.2°C / 41°F 2.3° / 8.2° 57.2
Apr 7°C / 45°F 4° / 10.1° 49.6
May 8.8°C / 48°F 5.5° / 12.1° 50.5
Jun 11.2°C / 52°F 8.2° / 14.3° 55.6
Jul 13.2°C / 56°F 10.1° / 16.2° 62.4
Aug 13.3°C / 56°F 10.3° / 16.3° 71.5
Sep 11.8°C / 53°F 9° / 14.6° 66.3
Oct 9.1°C / 48°F 6.6° / 11.7° 94.6
Nov 6.4°C / 44°F 3.9° / 8.8° 88.9
Dec 4.2°C / 40°F 1.7° / 6.7° 74.9
Thurso experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 54°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 261 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 41.2 inches. The city sits at an elevation of 72 feet.

Temperature

38°F Jan (4°C) 54°F Jul (12°C)
Annual Average45.7°F
15% below United Kingdom avg
January Average38°F (4°C)
July Average54°F (12°C)
Sunny Days261 days/yr

Geography

Elevation72 ft (22 m)
Area1.9 sq mi (4.8 km²)
Population Density4,172/sq mi
Coordinates58.5927°N, 3.5259°W
TimezoneEurope/London

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 41.2"
8% above United Kingdom avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Nov) 4.80"
Driest Month (May) 2.20"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

1 earthquake (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M2.7. Most recent: M2.7 on Mar 22, 2007.

Mar 22, 2007 75 km WSW of Sandwick, United Kingdom M2.7 133 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 38°F (4°C) 4.2 in Coldest
February 38°F (4°C) 3.1 in
March 40°F (5°C) 3.7 in
April 43°F (6°C) 2.5 in
May 47°F (8°C) 2.2 in Driest
June 51°F (11°C) 2.3 in
July 54°F (12°C) 2.6 in
August 55°F (13°C) 3.0 in Warmest
September 52°F (11°C) 3.9 in
October 48°F (9°C) 4.5 in
November 42°F (6°C) 4.8 in Wettest
December 39°F (4°C) 4.3 in

Thurso has a seasonal temperature swing of 17°F / from 38°F in January to 55°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 41.2 inches, with November being the wettest month (4.8") and May the driest (2.2").

View full weather details →
50.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, 48% above the national average of 33.7%. 84.0% have completed high school.

Education

Bachelor's Degree+50.0%
48% above United Kingdom avg
High School+84.0%
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Area & Infrastructure

Population Density4,172/sq mi
Total Area1.9 sq mi

Services

Commute & Transportation

Drive Alone60.0%
Public Transit18.0%
Work from Home24.0%

Colleges & Universities in Thurso

Institution Type Founded Website
UHI North Highland - Environmental Research Institute University Visit →
UHI North Highland - Rural Studies Centre University
UHI North Highland - Thurso Campus University

Schools in Thurso

4 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
Miller Academy Primary School
Thurso High School
Pennyland Primary School
Mount Pleasant Primary School
View full schools details →

Radio Stations near Thurso

1 stations within ~55 km.

Station Genre Quality
Grampian Hospital Radio MP3

Museums in Thurso

NameTypeAddressPhoneAnnual Revenue
Castlehill Heritage Centre
North Coast Visitor Centre

Libraries in Thurso

NameAddressStaffAnnual VisitsCirculationCollectionPrograms
Library0.0

Hotels in Thurso

10 hotels within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Central Hotel
Forss House
Holborn Hotel
Inn @ Y-Not
Muthu Royal Hotel
Pentland Hotel
Premier Inn
St Clair Hotel
Station Hotel
The Ferry Inn

Restaurants in Thurso

12 restaurants within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Bydand
Caithness Cuisine
Charlie Chan
Empire Chinese Take Away
Red Pepper Restaurant
Seafood Bar
Spice Tandoori
T's Café
The Blue Door
The Ferry Inn
The Northern Plate
Y' Not

Cafes in Thurso

11 cafes within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Blue Door
Caithness Coffee
Cardosi
Jamieson's
Johnstone's
Northern Bites Takeaway
Olive
Our Wee Shop
Reid's Bakers
The Blue Door diner
The Peerie Cafe

Cinemas in Thurso

1 cinemas within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Merlin Cinema, Bar & Kitchen

Monuments in Thurso

2 monuments within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Mercat Cross
Reay War Memorial

Castles in Thurso

1 castles within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Thurso Castle

Dentists in Thurso

1 dentists within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Bridgend Dentist

Veterinaries in Thurso

2 veterinaries within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Cattery
Donald S McGregor & Partners

Train Stations in Thurso

1 train stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Thurso

Gas Stations in Thurso

3 gas stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Gleaner
Gulf
JET

Banks in Thurso

3 banks within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Bank of Scotland
RBS
Santander

Gyms in Thurso

1 gyms within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

GB #61427333

Golf Courses in Thurso

2 golf courses within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Reay Golf Course
Thurso Golf Club

Airports Near Thurso

6 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Kirkwall AirportKOIMedium Airport
Wick John O'Groats AirportWICMedium Airport
Corston AirstripSmall Airport
Dornoch AirfieldSmall Airport
Flotta Isle AirstripFLHSmall Airport
Lamb Holm AirfieldSmall Airport

Post Offices in Thurso

1 post offices.

Post OfficeAddress
Thurso Post Office

UNESCO World Heritage Sites Near Thurso

3 UNESCO sites.

SiteCategoryYear
Maes Howe
Ring of Brodgar
Stones of Stenness

Churches & Religious Organizations in Thurso

9 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).

NameAddress
Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland
Salvation Army
St Andrew's Church
St Anne's RC Church
St Peters and St Andrews
St. Peter and the Holy Rood
Thurso Free Church
Thurso United Reformed Church
Thurso West Church

Quick Facts

Timezone
Europe/London

🇬🇧 About United Kingdom

Capital London
Population 66,488,991
Area 244,820 km²
GDP (USD) $3,420,796,653,789
GDP per capita $49,944
HDI 0.940
Life expectancy 81.2 years
Internet users 96.3%
Urban population 83.2%
Currency GBP (Pound)
Languages English
Calling code +44
TLD .uk
Driving side left

UNESCO World Heritage Sites Near Thurso

Ring of Brodgar
· inscribed 0
Maes Howe
· inscribed 0
Stones of Stenness
· inscribed 0

Public Holidays in United Kingdom

14 public holidays this year

Date Holiday Local Name
Jan 1 New Year's Day New Year's Day
Jan 2 2 January 2 January
Mar 17 Saint Patrick's Day Saint Patrick's Day
Apr 3 Good Friday Good Friday
Apr 6 Easter Monday Easter Monday
May 4 Early May Bank Holiday Early May Bank Holiday
May 25 Spring Bank Holiday Spring Bank Holiday
Jun 15 World Cup Bank Holiday World Cup Bank Holiday
Jul 13 Battle of the Boyne Battle of the Boyne
Aug 3 Summer Bank Holiday Summer Bank Holiday
Aug 31 Summer Bank Holiday Summer Bank Holiday
Nov 30 Saint Andrew's Day Saint Andrew's Day
Dec 25 Christmas Day Christmas Day
Dec 28 St. Stephen's Day Boxing Day

Download Full City Report

Get a comprehensive, print-ready PDF with all data for Thurso.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Thurso

What is the population of Thurso?

Thurso has a population of 7,760 residents and is located in United Kingdom. The population density is 4,172 people per square mile, spread across 1.9 square miles. The median age of residents is 40.6 years. The population is 50.5% female and 49.5% male.

Is Thurso expensive to live in?

The median household income is $50,470, 33% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $263,722 (6% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $1,262 per month. The home price-to-income ratio is 5.2x, which means housing is a stretch relative to local earnings.

What is the weather like in Thurso?

Thurso has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winter temperatures average 38°F in January, while summers reach an average of 54°F in July. The area receives 261 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 41.2 inches.

How is the job market in Thurso?

Thurso has a healthy job market with an unemployment rate of 4.8%, near the national average of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $971. There are 706 business establishments in the area.

How much does housing cost in Thurso?

The median home value in Thurso is $263,722. For renters, the median monthly rent is $1,262. The homeownership rate is 65.0%.

How are the schools in Thurso?

50.0% of adults in Thurso 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 Thurso?

90% of residents speak only English at home.

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