Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 18 h 58 min3:38 am – 10:35 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 5 h 48 min9:09 am – 2:57 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People4,147 residentsin the Central Shetland census areaMedian age 43.01,834 households73% of homes owner-occupied43% owned outright19% social rented, 6% private rentedSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Work and commuting1.5% unemployment rate70% of adults are economically active, 2,279 in work, 22% retiredMain industries: health and social work 15%, retail and wholesale 9%, farming, forestry and fishing 9%Getting to work: 24% work from home, 67% go by car, 2% take public transport, 4% walk or cycle67% of those who travel work within 10 km of homeSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Education and languages30% of adults hold a degree or higher12% have no qualifications, 14% an apprenticeshipMain language: English 97%, Scots 2%, other languages 2%Source: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
ClimateWarmest month August: highs 16°C, lows 10°CColdest month February: highs 6°C, lows 2°C1,349 mm of rain a year, 36 days with 10 mm or morewettest month January35 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 landmarksLoch of Hellisterlake · under a mileCalder's Creekbay · under a mileSeal Skerrybay · under a mileHellister Nessheadland · under a mileLoch of Stromlake · 1.2 miHolm of Quoynessisland · 1.3 miSource: Ordnance Survey Open Names
Parks and green spacesStrom Parkplaying field · 1.1 miSource: Ordnance Survey Open Greenspace
Earthquakes4 of magnitude 2 or more within 50 miles since 19702 of magnitude 3+, 0 of magnitude 4+Largest: magnitude 3.0 on 15 Jan 20092 mi away, Shetland IslandsMost recent: magnitude 3.0 on 15 Jan 20092 mi away, Shetland IslandsSource: British Geological Survey earthquake database
Air qualityNO2 1.3 · PM2.5 3.1 · PM10 4.8 µg/m³annual mean concentrations, 2024Within the WHO guidelines for all threeSource: DEFRA modelled background pollution maps 2024, 1 km grid
Broadband20% of premises can get gigabit-capable broadband89% can get superfast (30 Mbit/s or more)1.9% cannot get a decent connection (below the 10 Mbit/s universal service obligation)2,032 residential premises in the census areaSource: Ofcom Connected Nations, July 2025
Elevation5 m16 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from -1 to 129 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesHospitalGilbert Bain Hospital7.5 miGP surgeryBixter Health Centre3.8 miPharmacyBixter Health Centre3.8 miDentist4 Market Street7.5 miSource: NHS Organisation Data Service; Public Health Scotland
Getting aroundAirportLerwick / Tingwall Airport LWK3.4 miBus stationViking Bus StationLerwick7.4 miFerryScalloway Shetland Ferry Terminal6.7 miBus stops16 within a mileSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the ZE2 postcode district.
