Inverness's 2025 population is now estimated at 46,933. In 2001, the population of Inverness was 46,640. Inverness experienced a decrease of -127 residents over the past year, marking an annual decline of -0.05%.
Inverness is a city that is located in Scotland. More specifically, it is located in the Scottish Highlands. This city is one of the fastest growing not just in Scotland, but in all of Europe. An exceptional quality of life and a ranking of “the happiest city in Scotland has made this an ideal place to call home, which is why the population is growing so quickly and was at last count made up of 46,870 people. The population of Inverness is rapidly growing and is, in fact, the second fastest-growing in the United Kingdom. The population has increased from 40,949 in 2001 to over 46,000 just ten years later.
The city of Inverness covers a small surface area totaling 21 square kilometers (8 square miles). With a population of over 46,000 residents, the population density comes to approximately 2,958.2 residents per square kilometer.
There are more females than males residing in Inverness. The primary languages spoken in Inverness are English and Scottish Gaelic. The city in recent years has had a booming economy, leading many to want to live in the area. Inverness is ranked fifth across British cities as having the highest quality of life. It has also been named the happiest place in Scotland, as well as one of the happiest places in the United Kingdom.
Inverness is an ancient settlement and has a long and very interesting history. Though its history dates back further than the 12th century, one of the most notable developments occurred during this time, when the city was declared a royal burgh by King David I. Later during that century, four charters were created which gave rights to people living in Inverness. A stone castle was constructed during the 14th century but was later destroyed and then rebuilt.
During the Middle Ages, Inverness was stricken by hardships, including having parts of the town burnt down. By the time the 17th century rolled around, Inverness was a port and market town. It was also during this town that several buildings were erected, including a citadel and a hospital.
During the 18th century, the city continued to be a thriving port and market town. Distilling also became an important industry. The 19th century saw many changes including the addition of gas lights, a newly constructed castle, and a public library. Shipbuilding, tanning, and wool became important industries during this time.
By the time of the 20th century, the population had doubled. Regional shopping centers, an updated bridge, and housing developments have been built in recent years. The city continues to function as a busy port, and traditional industries including distilling remain essential to the economy, although there are now more high-tech industries in the city, and tourism is also beneficial to the economy.
Since the 20th century, Inverness has seen rapid growth in its population. The quality of life, thriving economy, and its reputation as one of the happiest places to live in Europe make it an appealing place to call home. The population was over 28,000 in the 1950s and had grown to over 40,000 just 30 years later. The population has since grown to over 46,000 and is expected to continue to grow at a steady rate into the future.
| City | 2025 Pop. ↓ | Growth |
|---|---|---|
| London | 9,840,740 | 0.95% |
| Manchester | 2,832,580 | 0.74% |
| Birmingham | 2,704,620 | 0.74% |
| West Yorkshire | 1,956,470 | 0.72% |
| Glasgow | 1,718,940 | 0.63% |
| Southampton | 966,741 | 0.79% |
| Liverpool | 928,997 | 0.66% |
| Newcastle upon Tyne | 834,242 | 0.67% |
| Nottingham | 819,334 | 0.77% |
| Sheffield | 756,783 | 0.73% |
| Bristol | 720,052 | 0.86% |
| Belfast | 651,982 | 0.7% |
| Brighton | 632,475 | 0.79% |
| Leicester | 575,352 | 0.79% |
| Edinburgh | 563,534 | 0.87% |
| Bournemouth | 526,845 | 0.79% |
| Cardiff | 495,378 | 0.74% |
| Coventry | 454,584 | 1.06% |
| Middlesbrough | 397,527 | 0.62% |
| Stoke-on-Trent | 396,812 | 0.64% |
| Reading | 355,596 | 0.76% |
| Sunderland | 349,162 | 0.58% |
| Preston | 338,446 | 0.68% |
| Birkenhead | 335,971 | 0.57% |
| Kingston upon Hull | 328,518 | 0.6% |
| Newport | 324,815 | 0.63% |
| Southend-On-Sea | 323,035 | 0.71% |
| Swansea | 320,236 | 0.64% |