Results from the 2001 census show that West Lothian is the youngest and fastest growing population in Scotland. Recent large-scale investment in the area has resulted in new employment, new housing and ultimately a growing population.
West Lothian currently has a population of about 172,990 (GRO Scotland mid-2011 population estimates), an increase of about 8.8% in the last ten years, which is among the fastest increases of local authority areas in Scotland.