Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 19 h 5 min3:34 am – 10:38 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 5 h 42 min9:11 am – 2:53 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People2,658 residentsin the North and East Isles census areaMedian age 52.41,232 households74% of homes owner-occupied58% owned outright17% social rented, 6% private rentedSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Work and commuting1.8% unemployment rate59% of adults are economically active, 1,290 in work, 31% retiredMain industries: farming, forestry and fishing 21%, health and social work 13%, transport and storage 11%Getting to work: 26% work from home, 62% go by car, 2% take public transport, 5% walk or cycle55% 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 higher21% have no qualifications, 10% an apprenticeshipMain language: English 96%, Scots 3%, other languages 1%Source: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
ClimateWarmest month August: highs 14°C, lows 11°CColdest month February: highs 6°C, lows 2°C1,326 mm of rain a year, 35 days with 10 mm or morewettest month January18 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)
Nearby landmarksAyre of Northburnbeach · under a mileLoch of Setterlake · under a mileSouth Wick of Soundbay · under a mileLoch of Ulstalake · 1.1 miNorth Wick of Soundbay · under a mileTaing of Setterheadland · under a mileSource: Ordnance Survey Open Names
Earthquakes1 of magnitude 2 or more within 50 miles since 19701 of magnitude 3+, 0 of magnitude 4+Largest: magnitude 3.0 on 15 Jan 200918 mi away, Shetland IslandsMost recent: magnitude 3.0 on 15 Jan 200918 mi away, Shetland IslandsSource: British Geological Survey earthquake database
Air qualityNO2 1.3 · PM2.5 3.1 · PM10 4.7 µg/m³annual mean concentrations, 2024Within the WHO guidelines for all threeSource: DEFRA modelled background pollution maps 2024, 1 km grid
Broadband68% of premises can get gigabit-capable broadband84% can get superfast (30 Mbit/s or more)1.0% cannot get a decent connection (below the 10 Mbit/s universal service obligation)1,536 residential premises in the census areaSource: Ofcom Connected Nations, July 2025
Elevation50 m164 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from -1 to 131 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesHospitalGilbert Bain Hospital26 miGP surgeryYell Health Centre6.4 miPharmacyYell Health Centre6.4 miDentistBrae Dental Clinic11 miSource: NHS Organisation Data Service; Public Health Scotland
Getting aroundAirportLerwick / Tingwall Airport LWK23 miFerryUlsta Shetland Ferry Terminal1.8 miBus stops6 within a mileSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the ZE2 postcode district.
