Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 18 h 14 min4:09 am – 10:23 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 6 h 25 min8:59 am – 3:24 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People3,088 residentsin the Caithness South census areaMedian age 53.61,461 households79% of homes owner-occupied55% owned outright11% social rented, 7% private rentedSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Work and commuting3.6% unemployment rate56% of adults are economically active, 1,427 in work, 30% retiredMain industries: health and social work 15%, retail and wholesale 10%, manufacturing 10%Getting to work: 31% work from home, 60% go by car, 3% take public transport, 4% walk or cycle47% of those who travel work within 10 km of homeSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Education and languages27% of adults hold a degree or higher19% have no qualifications, 11% an apprenticeshipMain language: English 99%, other languages 1%Source: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 17°C, lows 9°CColdest month December: highs 5°C, lows 0°C1,012 mm of rain a year, 26 days with 10 mm or morewettest month October53 days of air frost, no summer days above 25°C in a typical yearSource: Met Office HadUK-Grid 1991-2020 averages, 2 km grid (highs and lows from the 12 km grid)
Earthquakes10 of magnitude 2 or more within 50 miles since 19700 of magnitude 3+, 0 of magnitude 4+Largest: magnitude 2.0 on 2 Jul 202130 mi away, Melvich, HighlandMost recent: magnitude 2.0 on 2 Jul 202130 mi away, Melvich, HighlandSource: British Geological Survey earthquake database
Air qualityNO2 0.9 · PM2.5 3.7 · PM10 5.7 µg/m³annual mean concentrations, 2024Within the WHO guidelines for all threeSource: DEFRA modelled background pollution maps 2024, 1 km grid
Broadband64% of premises can get gigabit-capable broadband88% can get superfast (30 Mbit/s or more)0.8% cannot get a decent connection (below the 10 Mbit/s universal service obligation)1,603 residential premises in the census areaSource: Ofcom Connected Nations, July 2025
Elevation130 m427 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from 109 to 314 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesHospitalLawson Memorial Hospital20 miGP surgeryDunbeath Surgery7.9 miPharmacyDunbeath Surgery7.9 miSource: NHS Organisation Data Service; Public Health Scotland
Getting aroundAirportWick John O'Groats Airport WIC27 miMajor airportAberdeen International Airport ABZ84 miRailway stationHelmsdale4.0 miSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports; Overture Maps
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the KW7 postcode district.
