Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 17 h 59 min4:12 am – 10:11 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 6 h 38 min8:49 am – 3:27 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People6,409 residentsin the Howe of Alford census areaMedian age 45.32,744 households78% of homes owner-occupied40% owned outright12% social rented, 9% private rentedSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Work and commuting3.3% unemployment rate66% of adults are economically active, 3,289 in work, 23% retiredMain industries: health and social work 12%, mining and quarrying 9%, education 9%Getting to work: 32% work from home, 60% go by car, 1% take public transport, 5% walk or cycle23% of those who travel work within 10 km of homeSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Education and languages39% of adults hold a degree or higher11% have no qualifications, 9% an apprenticeshipMain language: English 98%, other languages 2%Source: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 18°C, lows 10°CColdest month January: highs 6°C, lows -0°C885 mm of rain a year, 23 days with 10 mm or morewettest month October73 days of air frost, 2 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 landmarksKirk Hillhill · under a mileHill of Cobrigdalehill · under a mileBrock's Forestforest · 1.6 miThe Maiden Stonehistoric site · 3.4 miPhemie Poollake · 3.2 miBennachie Forestforest · 3.4 miPitfichie Castlecastle · 5.7 miCow Denvalley · 3.1 miSources: Ordnance Survey Open Names; Overture Maps
Parks and green spacesInsch Meadowspark · 1.8 mi · 5 haSource: Ordnance Survey Open Greenspace
Earthquakes3 of magnitude 2 or more within 50 miles since 19700 of magnitude 3+, 0 of magnitude 4+Largest: magnitude 2.0 on 29 May 199947 mi away, Aviemore, HighlandMost recent: magnitude 2.0 on 29 May 199947 mi away, Aviemore, HighlandSource: British Geological Survey earthquake database
Air qualityNO2 1.2 · PM2.5 4.0 · PM10 7.6 µg/m³annual mean concentrations, 2024Within the WHO guidelines for all threeSource: DEFRA modelled background pollution maps 2024, 1 km grid
Broadband59% of premises can get gigabit-capable broadband90% can get superfast (30 Mbit/s or more)0.8% cannot get a decent connection (below the 10 Mbit/s universal service obligation)2,956 residential premises in the census areaSource: Ofcom Connected Nations, July 2025
Elevation133 m436 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from 120 to 253 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesHospitalInverurie Hospital8.4 miGP surgeryInsch Medical Practice1.9 miPharmacyN S Wilson LTD1.9 miDentistYoung Smile Dental Care7.1 miPolice stationInsch Police Station1.8 miCash machineThe Cooperative Food Commerce Street - Insch2.0 miSources: NHS Organisation Data Service; Public Health Scotland; Overture Maps
Getting aroundAirportAberdeen International Airport ABZ17 miRailway stationInsch1.8 miFerryAberdeen Ferry Terminal22 miBus stops6 within a mileSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports; Overture Maps
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the AB52 postcode district.
