Here’s a list of Edinburgh’s estimated population by decade from 1800 to 1880, based on historical census data and estimates. This includes Edinburgh proper (excluding Leith until they were formally unified in 1920), though some figures combine Edinburgh and Leith depending on source granularity:
📊 Edinburgh Population by Decade (1800–1880)
| Year | Estimated Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1801 | ~82,560 | First UK census; includes Old and New Town |
| 1811 | ~100,280 | Rapid growth due to urban migration |
| 1821 | ~114,230 | Expansion of New Town continues |
| 1831 | ~138,235 | Reflects continued rural migration and early overcrowding |
| 1841 | ~161,135 | First census with named individuals |
| 1851 | ~168,121 | Slum conditions worsen in Old Town |
| 1861 | ~170,676 | Urban improvements underway, growth slows slightly |
| 1871 | ~196,979 | Suburban expansion into areas like Marchmont |
| 1881 | ~228,357 | Strong growth, especially toward southern suburbs |
🔍 Notes:
- Leith, Edinburgh’s port, was counted separately in most censuses during this period. Its population in 1831 was around 30,000, growing to over 60,000 by 1881.
- The New Town’s expansion and migration from rural Scotland were key factors driving population increases through the early to mid-1800s.
- Growth slows slightly in the 1850s and 1860s due to urban overcrowding and emigration (especially to the Americas), but resumes strongly by 1880 as sanitation and housing improve.
James McLevy 