Most Dense in Scotland

Top 100 cities ranked by most dense

Most Dense - Scotland

1 Isle of Lewis 40,217/mi²
2 Denny 20,750/mi²
3 Larbert 19,052/mi²
4 Coatbridge 16,715/mi²
5 Bo’ness 16,584/mi²
6 Inverness 15,333/mi²
7 Glenrothes 12,463/mi²
8 Bonnybridge 12,405/mi²
9 Neilston 11,489/mi²
10 Stornoway 11,022/mi²
11 Alloa 10,618/mi²
12 Musselburgh 9,971/mi²
13 Newarthill 9,636/mi²
14 Falkirk 8,435/mi²
15 Ardrossan 8,402/mi²
16 Carnoustie 8,057/mi²
17 Port Glasgow 7,989/mi²
18 Aberdeen 7,983/mi²
19 Arbroath 7,954/mi²
20 Linlithgow 7,754/mi²
21 Dunfermline 7,511/mi²
22 Kirkcaldy 7,196/mi²
23 Polmont 6,909/mi²
24 Ayr 6,770/mi²
25 Brechin 6,379/mi²
26 Motherwell 6,024/mi²
27 Dundee 5,703/mi²
28 Lerwick 5,639/mi²
29 New Stevenston 5,604/mi²
30 Irvine 5,516/mi²
31 Kirkwall 5,300/mi²
32 Tullibody 5,296/mi²
33 Wick 5,246/mi²
34 Edinburgh 4,881/mi²
35 Buckie 4,492/mi²
36 Stenhousemuir 4,427/mi²
37 Thurso 4,091/mi²
38 Grangemouth 4,041/mi²
39 Alness 3,625/mi²
40 Holytown 3,166/mi²
41 Dingwall 1,770/mi²
42 Greenock 595/mi²
43 Paisley 581/mi²
44 Glasgow 499/mi²
45 Bearsden 339/mi²
46 Livingston 313/mi²
47 Newton Mearns 310/mi²
48 Bishopbriggs 284/mi²
49 Clydebank 273/mi²
50 Perth 269/mi²
51 Kirkintilloch 258/mi²
52 Vale of Leven 255/mi²
53 Stirling 214/mi²
54 Dumbarton 213/mi²
55 Barrhead 206/mi²
56 Cumbernauld 204/mi²
57 Nigg 177/mi²
58 Renfrew 170/mi²
59 Milngavie 156/mi²
60 Airdrie 150/mi²
61 Gourock 147/mi²
62 Giffnock 144/mi²
63 Bathgate 126/mi²
64 Wishaw 121/mi²
65 Johnstone 121/mi²
66 Erskine 117/mi²
67 Clarkston 115/mi²
68 Lenzie 97/mi²
69 Bonhill 94/mi²
70 Dalmuir 93/mi²
71 East Kilbride 87/mi²
72 Bonnyrigg 87/mi²
73 Broxburn 85/mi²
74 Cove 84/mi²
75 Bellshill 81/mi²
76 Sauchie 80/mi²
77 Penicuik 80/mi²
78 Queensferry 77/mi²
79 Duntocher 71/mi²
80 Alexandria 71/mi²
81 Armadale 69/mi²
82 Mayfield 67/mi²
83 Dyce 67/mi²
84 Dalkeith 66/mi²
85 Linwood 65/mi²
86 Colinton 63/mi²
87 Viewpark 63/mi²
88 Hamilton 63/mi²
89 Balloch 63/mi²
90 Meikle Earnock 63/mi²
91 Kilmarnock 62/mi²
92 Whitburn 60/mi²
93 Mossend 54/mi²
94 Currie 54/mi²
95 Dunblane 53/mi²
96 Balerno 50/mi²
97 Houston 48/mi²
98 Kilsyth 40/mi²
99 Elderslie 40/mi²
100 Bishopton 40/mi²

The most densely populated cities in Scotland pack the most residents per square mile, creating vibrant urban environments with walkable neighborhoods and extensive public transit. Isle of Lewis leads with 40,217 people per square mile.

High population density is often associated with better access to public transportation, more walkable streets, and a wider variety of restaurants, shops, and entertainment options within close proximity. These cities tend to have lower car ownership rates and shorter commute distances.

Dense cities face unique challenges including higher housing costs, limited parking, and potential overcrowding in public spaces. However, they also tend to have lower per-capita carbon footprints due to shared infrastructure and reduced driving.

Did You Know?

  • 1. Isle of Lewis has 40,217 people per square mile - that's roughly 63 people per acre.
  • 2. Dense cities tend to have the most walkable neighborhoods and lowest car ownership rates in the country.
  • 3. Urban density can reduce per-capita carbon emissions by up to 50% compared to suburban sprawl.

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