Elgin
- Country:
- United Kingdom
- Continent:
- Europe
Elgin's 2026 population is now estimated at 23,095. In 2011, the population of Elgin was 23,130. Elgin experienced a decrease of -985 residents over the past year, marking an annual decline of -0.69%.
Elgin's 2026 population is now estimated at 23,095. In 2011, the population of Elgin was 23,130. Elgin experienced a decrease of -985 residents over the past year, marking an annual decline of -0.69%.
Elgin is a city that is located in Scotland. It is the 34th most populous city in the country with a population of 23,128. The city is the commercial and administrative center for the Moray council area. The city was once a cathedral city and Royal Burgh. Today, it is home to Royal Air Force stations where many residents are employed and which contributes greatly to Elgin’s economy.
The Royal Burgh of Elgin takes up a total surface area of approximately 9 square kilometers. With a population of 23,128 as of the 2011 census, this brings the population density to some 2,569 persons living per square kilometer.
There are slightly more females than males according to census data. Over 31% of residents fall within the 25 to 44 age range, and over 20% of residents are 15 years old or younger.
In terms of religion, the majority of residents follow the Church of Scotland, and there are also groups of residents that are Roman Catholic or follow other forms of Christianity. Over 33% of the population do not follow a set religion.
The primary ethnic group is White Scottish, making up over 83% of the total population. There are also populations of White British, White Irish, Chinese, Pakistani, Indian, Black Scottish and African residents.
One of the most well-known of Moray’s medieval lords is the infamous Macbeth, who is thought to have been born in the area as he was an heir to the hereditary province of Moray. He fatally wounded King Duncan before seizing kingship and ruling the area for 14 years.
King David I. initiated the next notable change in Elgin’s history. On 19 July 1224, the foundation stone of the new Elgin Cathedral was set in place. The building was completed by the late 1240s, and it was burned into ruin near 1270 without any known or recorded cause for the fire.
Part of Elgin’s newfound success is based on the many nearby distilleries which produce the famous Speyside single malt whiskeys.
The population of Elgin was recorded in the 2001 Census as 20,929, showing that there has been growth throughout the years which is expected to continue for the city.
| City | 2026 Pop. ↓ | Growth |
|---|---|---|
| London | 9,927,020 | 0.88% |
| Manchester | 2,853,370 | 0.73% |
| Birmingham | 2,724,410 | 0.73% |
| Glasgow | 1,730,280 | 0.66% |
| Southampton | 974,131 | 0.76% |
| Liverpool | 935,328 | 0.68% |
| Newcastle upon Tyne | 839,947 | 0.68% |
| Nottingham | 825,506 | 0.75% |
| Sheffield | 762,277 | 0.73% |
| Bristol | 725,939 | 0.82% |
| Belfast | 656,593 | 0.71% |
| Brighton | 637,322 | 0.77% |
| Leicester | 579,755 | 0.77% |
| Edinburgh | 568,163 | 0.82% |
| Bournemouth | 530,872 | 0.76% |
| Leeds | 516,298 | 1.01% |
| Cardiff | 498,999 | 0.73% |
| Coventry | 458,904 | 0.95% |
| Middlesbrough | 400,118 | 0.65% |
| Stoke-on-Trent | 399,450 | 0.66% |
| Bradford | 368,485 | 1.01% |
| Reading | 358,252 | 0.75% |
| Sunderland | 351,353 | 0.63% |
| Preston | 340,779 | 0.69% |
| Birkenhead | 338,036 | 0.61% |
| Kingston upon Hull | 330,607 | 0.64% |
| Newport | 326,945 | 0.66% |
| Swansea | 322,374 | 0.67% |
| Derby | 264,430 | 1% |
| Portsmouth | 248,748 | 1% |
| Plymouth | 240,297 | 1% |
| Wolverhampton | 221,754 | 1.01% |
| Aberdeen | 212,300 | 1% |
| York | 210,620 | 1.01% |
| Norwich | 199,245 | 1.01% |
| Peterborough | 179,349 | 1.01% |
| Gloucester | 163,212 | 1.01% |
| Oxford | 161,662 | 1% |
| Cambridge | 149,155 | 1% |
| Blackpool | 145,007 | 1% |
| Exeter | 127,709 | 1.01% |
| Chelmsford | 119,468 | 1.01% |
| Lincoln | 107,434 | 1.01% |
| Bath | 106,009 | 1.01% |
| St Albans | 88,448 | 1.01% |
| Chester | 87,881 | 1% |
| Paisley | 77,250 | 1% |
| Carlisle | 74,536 | 1% |
| Canterbury | 64,495 | 1.02% |
| Scarborough | 61,866 | 1% |
| Dunfermline | 54,640 | 1.01% |
| Torquay | 51,320 | 1% |
| Winchester | 48,818 | 1.01% |
| Inverness | 47,060 | 1% |
| Salisbury | 46,332 | 1% |
| Stirling | 37,670 | 1% |
| Dumfries | 33,290 | 1% |
| Chichester | 31,881 | 1.01% |
| Sudbury | 23,835 | 1.01% |