Locality Profiles

Locality Profiles provide detailed information at a local level. They are useful for a number of reasons including service redesign, local plans and maximising opportunities to seek external funding to support community development.

Shetland has 7 localities:

Shetland Central

Lerwick & Bressay

Shetland North

Shetland South

Shetland West

Whalsay & Skerries

Yell, Unst & Fetlar

These Locality Profiles provide quantitative data on the following themes:

• Demographics
• Economy
• Education
• Environment
• Health
• Housing

Profiles shared here will be updated every two years. However the data will be monitored more regularly, with the most recent data available on request.

Lerwick and Bressay are either side of the Bressay Sound, creating a natural harbour in Lerwick. You can view and download the Lerwick & Bressay Locality Profile by clicking on either the image of the profile, or on the link below.

Lerwick & Bressay Profile

Covering Whiteness and Weisdale, Scalloway, Burra, Trondra, Tingwall and Girlsta, the Shetland Central Locality contains a diverse range of communities. You can view and download the Shetland Central Locality Profile by clicking on either the image of the profile, or on the link below.

Shetland Central Profile

Shetland North, located north of Girlsta, takes in three Community Council areas: Delting, Northmavine and Nesting & Lunnasting. You can view and download the Shetland North Locality Profile by clicking on either the image of the profile, or on the link below.

Shetland North Profile

Shetland South stretches from Gulberwick to Sumburgh, and includes the UK’s most remote island, Fair Isle. You can view and download the Shetland South Locality Profile by clicking on either the image of the profile, or on the link below.

Shetland South Profile

Shetland West spans from Tresta to Sandness and Aith to Skeld. It includes the remote islands of Foula and Papa Stour. You can view and download the Shetland West Locality Profile by clicking on either the image of the profile, or on the link below.

Shetland West Profile

Whalsay & Skerries are island communities lying off the east coast of the Shetland mainland. You can view and download the Whalsay & Skerries Locality Profile by clicking on either the image of the profile, or on the link below.

Whalsay & Skerries Profile

Yell, Unst & Fetlar are three islands in the North of Shetland, all different in character. You can view and download the Yell, Unst & Fetlar Locality Profile by clicking on either the image of the profile, or on the link below.

Yell, Unst & Fetlar Profile

Shetland is an archipelago in the North Sea, sitting at a latitude of 60 degrees north. There is a population of 22,900, with communities spread across the islands. You can view and download the Shetland Profile by clicking on either the image of the profile, or on the link below.

Shetland Profile

To view and download all profiles from one place, click on either the image of the profiles or on the link below. This downloads page also includes a a pdf with all profiles combined.

All Profiles

The Islands With Small Populations Profiles have been developed to provide information on the five outer islands with permanent residents. It is recognised that each island has its own unique needs, challanges and strengths; understanding this is beneficial. Like the Locality Profiles, the information gathered can be used to inform decision making and to seek external funding to support community development. To view and download the Profiles, click on either the image of the profiles or on the link below.

All Profiles

Read more about the indicator definitions, notes and links to the sources.

These profiles are the second versions that have been produced. The first versions were published in 2018.

Previous Profiles

The profiles linked above are pdf versions. To view online versions that are easier for screenreaders, for example, follow the link below.

Online Profiles