Factfile - Households
Introduction
The 2010 estimate for the number of ‘households’ in the Outer Hebrides was 12,018; an increase of 124 (1.0%) since 2009. Following the national trend, despite this increase in number of households, the average household size is decreasing, with fewer large ‘family’ households and more people living alone.
Using the 2008 based household projections we can see that there is estimated to be a 13% increase in the number of households in the Outer Hebrides from 11,820 in 2008 to 13,400 in 2033. This represents a similar increase on previous household projections (2006). Over the same period (2008-33) the population of the Outer Hebrides is projected to decline by 4.1%. Therefore,the projected increase can largely be attributed to more people living alone or in smaller households; the average household size in the Outer Hebrides is projected to decrease from 2.19 in 2008 to 1.84 in 2033. The four main cities, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee and the island areas are projected to have the smallest average household size in 2033.
Changes in household type between 2008 and 2033 are projected to occur as follows:
- 41% increase in ‘one adult’ households;
- 15% increase in ‘two or more adult’ households;
- 33% increase in ‘one adult plus one or more children’ households,
- a 50% decrease in households containing ‘two or more adults plus one or more children’
Home ownership in the Outer Hebrides was 72% at the time of the 2001 census; significantly higher than the national figure of 63%. The percentage of the population renting from the Comhairle (16%) or other social landlords (1%) was lower, whilst those renting from the private sector (7%) or living rent free (4%) is the same as the national average. The Outer Hebrides also had the highest percentage of ‘vacant / 2nd homes’ of any Scottish local authority at 14% (Scotland 4.5%).
The 2010 Households Estimates for Scotland found that of all 32 Scottish Local Authorities areas, the Outer Hebrides is estimated to have; the highest % of detached dwellings at 64% (nat.avg.21% ); the lowest % of occupied dwellings at 87% (nat avg 96%); the highest % of vacant dwellings at 6.4% (nat avg 2.8%); the second highest % of holiday homes at 6.9% of all dwellings (Argyll & Bute have the highest at 8.5%, nat avg 1.4%); the lowest % of dwellings with occupied exemptions at 0.5% (nat avg 2.6%); the highest % of houses in Council Tax Band A-C at 80% (nat avg 62%); the second lowest % of houses in Council Tax band D-E at 19% (Inverclyde lowest at 17%, nat avg. 26%); the lowest % of houses in Council Tax band F-H at 1% (nat avg. 12%).
Household car / van ownership is slightly higher than the national average. In the Outer Hebrides 30% of households have no vehicles (34% in Scotland) but the majority of households have one (46%) or two (20%) vehicles.
Components of Household Change
Outer Hebrides 1981 to 2033
Year |
1981 |
1991 |
2001 |
2033 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Number of households |
9970 |
10970 |
11283 |
13400 |
Single person households |
2140 |
3144 |
3782 |
6060 |
Average household size |
3.08 |
2.65 |
2.26 |
1.84 |
Source:National Records of Scotland (NRS) (2009 Household Estimates and 2008 Household Projections)
Accommodation
HOUSEHOLDS by TYPE OF ACCOMMODATION – 2001 CENSUS |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Outer Hebrides |
Outer Hebrides |
Scotland |
Shared dwelling |
2 |
<0.1% |
<0.1% |
Unshared dwelling |
11,273 |
99.9 |
99.9 |
house / bungalow |
10,464 |
92.7 |
64.2 |
flat / apartment |
758 |
6.7 |
35.5 |
caravan / mobile home |
51 |
0.5 |
0.2 |
Total number of Households |
11,275 |
100.0 |
100.0 |
Source: 2001 Census on SCROL
The majority of homes on the Outer Hebrides are houses (bungalows and detached or semi-detached buildings). The proportion of flats / apartments is considerably below the national average whilst the proportion of caravans / mobile homes is marginally higher.
Of the 11,275 occupied dwellings in 2001, 93% were houses and 74% comprised of 5 or more rooms.
HOUSEHOLD SIZE - 2001 CENSUS |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
Number of people |
Outer Hebrides |
Outer Hebrides |
Scotland |
1 person |
3,782 |
33.5 |
32.9 |
2 person |
3,445 |
30.6 |
33.1 |
3-4 person |
3,206 |
28.4 |
28.4 |
5 person + |
842 |
7.5 |
5.6 |
Total number of Households |
11,275 |
100.0 |
100.0 |
Source: 2001 Census on SCROL
Throughout Scotland, average household size is decreasing as the number of one and two person households increases, however the Outer Hebrides is one of the areas projected to have the smallest household size.
Tenure
|
Outer Hebrides |
Outer Hebrides |
Scotland |
|---|---|---|---|
Owned |
19,538 |
73.7 |
66.4 |
Rented |
5,722 |
21.6 |
30.8 |
from Council / Housing Association |
4,022 |
70.3 |
67.6 |
from other social landlord |
163 |
2.8 |
16.2 |
from private sector |
1,537 |
26.9 |
16.2 |
Communal |
905 |
3.4 |
2.8 |
Rent Free |
337 |
1.3 |
|
Total Population |
26,502 |
100.0 |
100.0 |
Source: 2001 Census on SCROL
The Outer Hebrides has a distinctive tenure profile. The proportion of home ownership on the Outer Hebrides is significantly higher than the national average. Around 72 % of households are owner occupiers, with around half living in croft houses. Correspondingly the proportion of the population renting is lower. The social rental market is dominated by the Hebridean Housing Partnership with the remainder primarily supplied by the private sector.
Condition
For detailed condition information and full survey results go to the Scottish House Condition Survey. This survey looks at issues such as fuel poverty, heating and tolerable standards for housing throughout Scotland.
It is estimated that 10% of current housing stock in the Outer Hebrides is below tolerable standards.
Housing Market
The Centre for Housing Market Analysis ( CHMA), part of the Scottish Government's Communities Analytical Services Division provides information on house transactions and house prices
