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Postcode area · Kirkwall

Affluence in KW

How KW ranks on deprivation and income, and the work and qualifications behind it.

Council
Highland
Region
Scotland
Population
52,503 (2024)
Deprivation

How well off KW is

On the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation 2020, KW scores 5.3 out of 10, placing it close to the middle of the range for Scotland. Scores are ranked within Scotland only, so they can’t be compared across UK nations.

Overall score
5.3/ 10
Most deprivedLeast deprived
Its 75 neighbourhoods, from 1 to 10
12345678910
Most deprivedLeast deprived
Income

Household income

Average yearly household income before tax (2022/23), estimated for local neighbourhoods.

ONS publishes small-area income estimates for England and Wales only.
Work

Who is in work

56.8% of adults in KW are in work, broadly in line with the Scotland average of 55%. 27.9% are retired and 3.9% are full-time students.

KWScotland
Employee, full-time32.1%36.1%
Employee, part-time14.1%11.5%
Self-employed10.6%7.4%
Unemployed1.5%1.9%
Full-time student3.9%8.8%
Retired27.9%23.3%
Looking after home or family3%3.4%
Long-term sick or disabled4.6%5.2%
Other2.2%2.3%
Occupations

Social grade

29.8% of adults in KW work in managerial or professional jobs, broadly in line with the Scotland average of 33.1%.

KWScotland
Higher managerial & professional9.3%12%
Lower managerial & professional20.5%21.1%
Intermediate10.3%11.8%
Small employers & self-employed13.1%8%
Lower supervisory & technical8.8%7.1%
Semi-routine14.1%11.2%
Routine14.9%13.5%
Never worked & long-term unemployed5.3%6.8%
Full-time students3.5%8.5%
Education

Highest qualification

27.1% of adults in KW hold a degree or equivalent, below the Scotland average of 32.5%. 19.2% have no qualifications.

KWScotland
Degree level or above27.1%32.5%
College or HNC/HND12.6%13.2%
Highers or equivalent11.1%11.2%
National 4/5 or equivalent19.7%18.9%
Apprenticeship10.1%7.6%
No qualifications19.2%16.7%

Sources: Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation 2020; ONS small area income estimates; Scotland's Census 2022 (NRS). Open Government Licence v3.0.

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