Caithness County

Abolished: 1975

Statistics

Population

Population

Densities and rates of growth. Age structure: concentrations of young people, and of the old.
Industry

Industry

How people made their living: identifying farming communities, pit villages, mill towns and so on.
Social Structure

Social Structure

Social class and socio-economic groups. Concentrations of professionals, and of unskilled labourers.
Learning & Language

Learning & Language

How many people were at school. The distribution of graduates, and of the unqualified.
Agriculture & Land Use

Agriculture & Land Use

How we use the land; crops and farm animals.
Life & Death

Life & Death

Numbers of babies born. Deaths, especially infant deaths. Causes of death by age and gender.
Work & Poverty

Work & Poverty

Unemployment rates and poor relief. What proportions of men and of women did paid work?
Housing

Housing

Numbers of houses. Overcrowding: persons per room. Amenities: central heating, baths and WCs.
Birthplace & Religion

Birthplace & Religion

Numbers going to church, and the kinds of churches they went to. The different religions of modern Britain.
Place marker map of Great Britain and Ireland

The following alternate names for this unit exist:

Name Status Language Start End Authority
CAITHNESS Preferred English     1951 Census of Scotland, Table 1, 'Comparison of population, density per 100 acres, and houses with 1931', for 'Burghs, Districts of Counties and CPs'.
CAITHNESS SHIRE Alternate English     1851 Census of Great Britain, Table [1], 'Population Abstract'.

This unit contained the following units:

Name Type Start End Authority
CAITHNESS COUNTY 1841 Occupation reporting area     1841 Census of Great Britain, Table [1], 'Occupation Abstract'.
WICK 1841 Occupation reporting area     1841 Census of Great Britain, Table [1], 'Occupation Abstract'.
CAITHNESS Burgh Scottish Burgh/District     1931 Census of Scotland, Table 16, 'Industries of Males and Females in Cities, Counties, and Large Burghs'.
CAITHNESS CLandward Scottish Burgh/District   1975 1951 Census of Scotland, Table 1, 'Comparison of population, density per 100 acres, and houses with 1931', for 'Burghs, Districts of Counties and CPs'.
CENTRAL DoC Scottish Burgh/District     1971 Census of Scotland, Table 25, 'Enumerated households by tenure and household amenities', for 'County, local authority areas'.
EASTERN DoC Scottish Burgh/District     1971 Census of Scotland, Table 25, 'Enumerated households by tenure and household amenities', for 'County, local authority areas'.
HEMPRIGGS Burgh Scottish Burgh/District     The Scottish Archive Network, Scottish Archives Network Gazetteer
INVER OF DUNBEATH Burgh Scottish Burgh/District     The Scottish Archive Network, Scottish Archives Network Gazetteer
NORTHERN DoC Scottish Burgh/District     1971 Census of Scotland, Table 25, 'Enumerated households by tenure and household amenities', for 'County, local authority areas'.
PULTENEYTOWN Burgh Scottish Burgh/District   1902 The Scottish Archive Network, Scottish Archives Network Gazetteer
SCRABSTER Burgh Scottish Burgh/District     The Scottish Archive Network, Scottish Archives Network Gazetteer
SOUTHERN DoC Scottish Burgh/District     1971 Census of Scotland, Table 25, 'Enumerated households by tenure and household amenities', for 'County, local authority areas'.
THURSO Burgh Scottish Burgh/District   1975 1951 Census of Scotland, Table 1, 'Comparison of population, density per 100 acres, and houses with 1931', for 'Burghs, Districts of Counties and CPs'.
WESTERN DoC Scottish Burgh/District     1971 Census of Scotland, Table 25, 'Enumerated households by tenure and household amenities', for 'County, local authority areas'.
WICK Burgh Scottish Burgh/District   1975 1951 Census of Scotland, Table 1, 'Comparison of population, density per 100 acres, and houses with 1931', for 'Burghs, Districts of Counties and CPs'.
LATHERON Scottish Poor Law Combination     Higginbotham, History of the Workhouse
THURSO Scottish Poor Law Combination     Higginbotham, History of the Workhouse
WICK Urban Labour Market     Great Britain Historical GIS Project
BOWER Scottish Parish 1845 1975 1951 Census of Scotland, Table 1, 'Comparison of population, density per 100 acres, and houses with 1931', for 'Burghs, Districts of Counties and CPs'.
CANISBAY Scottish Parish 1845 1975 1951 Census of Scotland, Table 1, 'Comparison of population, density per 100 acres, and houses with 1931', for 'Burghs, Districts of Counties and CPs'.
DUNNET Scottish Parish 1845 1975 1951 Census of Scotland, Table 1, 'Comparison of population, density per 100 acres, and houses with 1931', for 'Burghs, Districts of Counties and CPs'.
HALKIRK Scottish Parish 1845 1975 1951 Census of Scotland, Table 1, 'Comparison of population, density per 100 acres, and houses with 1931', for 'Burghs, Districts of Counties and CPs'.
LATHERON Scottish Parish 1845 1975 1951 Census of Scotland, Table 1, 'Comparison of population, density per 100 acres, and houses with 1931', for 'Burghs, Districts of Counties and CPs'.
OLRIG Scottish Parish 1845 1975 1951 Census of Scotland, Table 1, 'Comparison of population, density per 100 acres, and houses with 1931', for 'Burghs, Districts of Counties and CPs'.
REAY Scottish Parish 1845 1975 1951 Census of Scotland, Table 1, 'Comparison of population, density per 100 acres, and houses with 1931', for 'Burghs, Districts of Counties and CPs'.
THURSO Scottish Parish 1845 1975 1951 Census of Scotland, Table 1, 'Comparison of population, density per 100 acres, and houses with 1931', for 'Burghs, Districts of Counties and CPs'.
WATTEN Scottish Parish 1845 1975 1951 Census of Scotland, Table 1, 'Comparison of population, density per 100 acres, and houses with 1931', for 'Burghs, Districts of Counties and CPs'.
WICK Scottish Parish 1845 1975 1951 Census of Scotland, Table 1, 'Comparison of population, density per 100 acres, and houses with 1931', for 'Burghs, Districts of Counties and CPs'.

We know of no associations with other units.

This unit was part of the following units:

Name Type Start End Authority
SCOTLAND Dep Country   1975 1951 Census of Scotland, Table 1, 'Comparison of population, density per 100 acres, and houses with 1931', for 'Burghs, Districts of Counties and CPs'.
NORTHERN Scottish Census Division     Census of Population (Census 1961 Scotland, Vol. 6, Occupation, Industry and Workplace, Part 1, Occupation Tables, p.x.)

We know of no boundary changes affecting this unit.

Boundary Map of Caithness County

If the boundaries of the Scottish County changed over time, this map will show all the different boundaries.

Maps Census reports

How to reference this page:

GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth, Caithness (County) through time, A Vision of Britain through Time.

URL: https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10091962

Date accessed: 10th December 2025