Scotland · Scotland
Perth area guide
Population
154,420
Perth and Kinross
Avg. house price
£218,293
-0.7% /yr
Perth sits within Perth and Kinross; property and population figures shown are for the wider Perth and Kinross area. Sources: ONS mid-2024 population, HM Land Registry / ONS house prices.
About Perth
Perth is a historic city on the River Tay in central Scotland, and the main town of the Perth and Kinross council area. Known as the 'Fair City', it was for centuries a key royal and ecclesiastical centre — nearby Scone was traditionally where Scottish kings were crowned — and it later grew as a market town and inland port. Perth was formally granted city status in 2012. It sits at a natural crossing point between the Highlands and the Central Belt, giving it a long-standing role as a regional hub for the surrounding rural area.
Schools & education
Perth has a range of state primary and secondary schools, including Perth Academy, Perth High School and Perth Grammar School, along with a number of smaller town and rural schools across Perth and Kinross. For further and higher education, Perth College UHI is the city's main institution, offering further education courses and higher education degrees as part of the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), a federal university with campuses across the north of Scotland. There is no separate standalone university based in Perth itself.
Transport & airports
Perth railway station is a significant junction on the Scottish rail network, with regular services linking Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen and Inverness, making the city a convenient base for travel across Scotland. The A9 and M90 meet near Perth, giving direct road links north towards Inverness and south towards Edinburgh and the Forth crossing, while the A85 and A93 connect the city to Perthshire and the Highlands. The nearest major airport is Edinburgh Airport, roughly an hour to ninety minutes away by road, with Glasgow Airport also within reach; there is a small local airfield at Scone near Perth used mainly for private and light aircraft.
Economy & jobs
Perth's economy combines financial services, retail, food and drink, and agriculture-related business. Insurance has long been important to the city, with Aviva maintaining a significant office presence built on the legacy of the former General Accident company, and energy firm SSE is headquartered in Perth. The surrounding countryside supports farming, whisky production and food processing, with several well-known distilleries in the wider Perthshire area, and tourism is a steady contributor thanks to the city's heritage and its position as a gateway to the Highlands.
Living in Perth
Perth offers a compact, walkable city centre with a mix of independent shops, chain retailers, and green space along the River Tay, including the North Inch and South Inch parks. Cultural life includes Perth Theatre, Perth Concert Hall and Perth Museum, alongside a regular calendar of local events. The population of the wider Perth and Kinross area is around 154,000, encompassing the city itself and numerous smaller towns and villages, and the area tends to suit families, retirees and commuters who want a smaller-city pace of life with good transport links rather than a large urban centre. House prices in the area, averaging around £218,000, are generally more affordable than in Edinburgh or Glasgow.
Perth FAQs
What is the population of Perth and Kinross?
According to ONS mid-2024 figures, the population of Perth and Kinross is approximately 154,420.
What is the nearest major airport to Perth?
Edinburgh Airport is the nearest major airport, roughly an hour to ninety minutes away by road, with Glasgow Airport also accessible.
Does Perth have its own university?
Perth does not have a standalone university, but Perth College UHI provides further and higher education as part of the University of the Highlands and Islands.
Latest Perth property news
Housing MarketScottish Property Market Faces Perfect Storm as Economic Pressures Mount
InvestmentGalbraith's Scottish expansion signals rural property market momentum
This guide is provided for general information. Statistics are from official sources on the dates shown; other details are an overview and may change. Browse all UK city guides →