POPULATION
The population of the Falkirk area is increasing. It currently stands at 149,150 (2005) and is expected to grow to over 155,000 by 2017 making it one of the fastest growing areas in Scotland. The population has increased by more than 4% over the last decade, with most of this growth taking place in the last three or four years.
Population Estimates
|
|
Falkirk
|
|
Scotland
|
|
|
Age Group
|
2005
|
%
|
2005
|
%
|
|
< 15
|
26,518
|
17.8
|
865,091
|
17.0
|
|
15-29
|
26,241
|
17.6
|
957,537
|
18.8
|
|
30-44
|
34,740
|
23.3
|
1,124,321
|
22.1
|
|
45-59
|
30,193
|
20.2
|
1,041,834
|
20.4
|
|
60 +
|
31,458
|
21.1
|
1,106,017
|
21.7
|
|
Total
|
149,150
|
|
5,094,800
|
|
Source: GROS population estimates, 2005
The populations of the main towns are:
|
Town
|
Population
|
|
Falkirk
|
32,670
|
|
Grangemouth
|
17,551
|
|
Bo'ness
|
14,354
|
|
Stenhousemuir
|
10,184
|
|
Denny
|
7,536
|
|
Larbert
|
7,121
|
|
Polmont
|
5,294
|
|
Bonnybridge
|
5,126
|
Source: Falkirk Council settlement population estimates, 2004
LABOUR MARKET
Employment
Falkirk has more people employed in manufacturing than Scotland as a whole, particularly related to the chemicals and petro-chemical industries.
|
Industry
|
Falkirk
|
Scotland
|
|
Agriculture, forestry, fishing, energy and water
|
606
|
1.0%
|
3.1%
|
|
Manufacturing
|
9,224
|
15.7%
|
10.1%
|
|
Construction
|
4,967
|
8.5%
|
5.4%
|
|
Distribution, hotels and restaurants
|
13,954
|
23.8%
|
23.3%
|
|
Transport and communications
|
3,133
|
5.4%
|
5.5%
|
|
Banking, finance and insurance
|
5,766
|
9.8%
|
18.0%
|
|
Public administration, education & health
|
18,347
|
31.3%
|
29.2%
|
|
Other services
|
2,604
|
4.4%
|
5.4%
|
|
Total
|
58,601
|
|
Source: Annual Business Inquiry, 2004
Unemployment has declined steadily over the past decade. The table below shows yearly averages.
|
|
1996
|
1997
|
1998
|
1999
|
2000
|
2001
|
2002
|
2003
|
2004
|
2005
|
|
Falkirk
|
5.9
|
4.9
|
4.6
|
4.4
|
3.9
|
3.6
|
3.6
|
3.4
|
3.1
|
2.8
|
|
Scotland
|
6.1
|
5.0
|
4.5
|
4.2
|
3.8
|
3.4
|
3.3
|
3.2
|
3.0
|
2.8
|
|
UK
|
6.0
|
4.5
|
3.8
|
3.5
|
3.1
|
2.7
|
3.1
|
2.6
|
2.3
|
2.4
|
Source: ONS, Claimant Count 1996 - 2005
Income and Earnings
Average household income in the Falkirk area is £28,731 , compared to a GB average of £29,000.
Source: CACI Paycheck 2005
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS
School Qualifications
|
|
Falkirk
|
Scotland
|
|
5+ Standard at 1-4
|
73%
|
76%
|
|
3+ Highers at A-C
|
18%
|
21%
|
|
5+ Highers at A-C
|
14%
|
19%
|
Source: Scottish Executive, 2006
Destination of School Leavers
Source: Scottish Executive School Leavers Destination Survey, 2004/05
HOUSE PRICES
The average house price in Falkirk in the first half of 2006 was £116,000. The equivalent Scottish and UK prices were £122,511 and £179,425 respectively. House prices in the area are increasing rapidly with an 11% increase in the year to June 2006.
|
Year
|
Average Price
|
Number
|
|
1997
|
£53,417
|
2,328
|
|
1998
|
£53,534
|
2,503
|
|
1999
|
£57,271
|
2,602
|
|
2000
|
£60,836
|
2,803
|
|
2001
|
£64,532
|
3,003
|
|
2002
|
£72,028
|
3,337
|
|
2003
|
£79,109
|
3,631
|
|
2004
|
£100,737
|
3,624
|
|
2005
|
£109,934
|
3,871
|
|
2006
(Jan - June only)
|
£115,570
|
1,779
|
Source: Sasines
Useful Links
Falkirk Council: www.falkirk.gov.uk|
Scottish Enterprise Forth Valley: www.scottishenterprise.co.uk|
General Register Office for Scotland: www.gro-scotland.gov.uk|
ESPC: www.espc.com|