Dumfries and Galloway


This page: updated 14 September 2009

A few surprises about south west ScotlandFacts about Dumfries and GallowayDumfries and Galloway

Factual Information

about Dumfries and Galloway

The following information is provided by Dumfries and Galloway Council, Accounting Services: 

  • Dumfries and Galloway has a population of approximately 148,000.
  • The largest town in the region is Dumfries with a population of 31,600.
  • The two other main towns are Stranraer (10,800 pop.) and Annan (8,300 pop.).
  • All other settlements have populations of 4,500 or less.
  • Population density is 60 people per square mile compared with the Scottish average of 168.
  • Agriculture accounts for 70% of the area with woodland covering another 25%.
  • The local economy is primarily based on agriculture and forestry with a range of light industries and tourism making significant contributions.
  • The two major trunk roads in the region are the A74 (currently being upgraded to motorway standards) and the A75 connection with Northern Ireland.
  • Approximately 750,000 vehicles move through the area as a result of the ferry crossing. 
  • There are over 4,000km of road and 1,437 bridges and culverts, 99 car parks and 5 harbours along the 320km of coastline.
  • If all the books borrowed from the region's libraries were piled on top of each other they would make a pile four times the height of Mount Everest.