Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 18 h 59 min3:38 am – 10:38 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 5 h 47 min9:11 am – 2:58 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People2,572 residentsin the East and West Mainland census areaMedian age 44.91,096 households79% of homes owner-occupied51% owned outright12% social rented, 6% private rentedSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Work and commuting1.9% unemployment rate69% of adults are economically active, 1,376 in work, 22% retiredMain industries: health and social work 14%, farming, forestry and fishing 13%, education 10%Getting to work: 26% work from home, 67% go by car, 2% take public transport, 4% walk or cycle25% of those who travel work within 10 km of homeSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Education and languages33% of adults hold a degree or higher13% have no qualifications, 14% an apprenticeshipMain language: English 95%, Scots 3%, other languages 2%Source: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
ClimateWarmest month August: average 13°CColdest month February: average 5°C1,068 mm of rain a year, 24 days with 10 mm or morewettest month January17 days of air frost, no summer days above 25°C in a typical yearSource: Met Office HadUK-Grid 1991-2020 averages, 2 km grid
Nearby landmarksLoch of Melbylake · under a mileLoch of Norbylake · under a mileSand of Gordbeach · under a mileThe Crookbay · under a mileKailabay · under a mileHolm of Melbyisland · under a mileSource: Ordnance Survey Open Names
Earthquakes2 of magnitude 2 or more within 50 miles since 19701 of magnitude 3+, 0 of magnitude 4+Largest: magnitude 3.0 on 15 Jan 200913 mi away, Shetland IslandsMost recent: magnitude 3.0 on 15 Jan 200913 mi away, Shetland IslandsSource: British Geological Survey earthquake database
Air qualityNO2 0.8 · PM2.5 3.0 · PM10 4.7 µg/m³annual mean concentrations, 2024Within the WHO guidelines for all threeSource: DEFRA modelled background pollution maps 2024, 1 km grid
Broadband9.2% of premises can get gigabit-capable broadband50% can get superfast (30 Mbit/s or more)9.8% cannot get a decent connection (below the 10 Mbit/s universal service obligation)1,279 residential premises in the census areaSource: Ofcom Connected Nations, July 2025
Elevation12 m39 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from -1 to 146 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesHospitalGilbert Bain Hospital20 miGP surgeryBixter Health Centre9.1 miPharmacyBixter Health Centre9.1 miDentistBrae Dental Clinic12 miSource: NHS Organisation Data Service; Public Health Scotland
SchoolsWithin 2 mi1 school1 primaryPrimarySandness Primary Schoolunder a mileSource: Scottish Government, school contact details
Getting aroundAirportLerwick / Tingwall Airport LWK16 miFerryPapa Stour Shetland Ferry Terminal2.4 miBus stops10 within a mileSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the ZE2 postcode district.
