Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 18 h 20 min4:05 am – 10:25 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 6 h 20 min9:02 am – 3:21 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People4,940 residentsin the Caithness North West census areaMedian age 49.32,312 households76% of homes owner-occupied49% owned outright12% social rented, 9% private rentedSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Work and commuting2.2% unemployment rate63% of adults are economically active, 2,556 in work, 26% retiredMain industries: health and social work 10%, water and waste 9%, retail and wholesale 8%Getting to work: 33% work from home, 58% go by car, 3% take public transport, 4% walk or cycle44% of those who travel work within 10 km of homeSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Education and languages26% of adults hold a degree or higher17% have no qualifications, 11% an apprenticeshipMain language: English 99%, other languages 1%Source: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 17°C, lows 9°CColdest month February: highs 6°C, lows -1°C932 mm of rain a year, 21 days with 10 mm or morewettest month October87 days of air frost, 1 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)
Earthquakes10 of magnitude 2 or more within 50 miles since 19700 of magnitude 3+, 0 of magnitude 4+Largest: magnitude 2.0 on 1 Jan 202248 mi away, Durness, HighlandMost recent: magnitude 2.0 on 1 Jan 202248 mi away, Durness, HighlandSource: British Geological Survey earthquake database
Air qualityNO2 0.9 · PM2.5 3.8 · PM10 6.1 µg/m³annual mean concentrations, 2024Within the WHO guidelines for all threeSource: DEFRA modelled background pollution maps 2024, 1 km grid
Broadband32% of premises can get gigabit-capable broadband66% can get superfast (30 Mbit/s or more)2.9% cannot get a decent connection (below the 10 Mbit/s universal service obligation)2,436 residential premises in the census areaSource: Ofcom Connected Nations, July 2025
Elevation59 m194 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from 51 to 94 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesGP surgeryThurso & Halkirk Medical Practice7.5 miSource: NHS Organisation Data Service; Public Health Scotland
Getting aroundAirportWick John O'Groats Airport WIC14 miMajor airportAberdeen International Airport ABZ101 miRailway stationGeorgemas Junction2.3 miFerryScrabster Ferry Terminal8.9 miBus stops2 within a mileSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the KW12 postcode district.
