For the traditional county of the same name see Aberdeenshire (traditional)

Aberdeenshire
Geography
Area: - Total - % Water	Ranked 4th 6,313 km² ? %
Admin HQ:	Aberdeen
ISO 3166-2:	GB-ABD
ONS code:	00QB
Demographics
Population: - Total (April 29, 2001) - Density	Ranked 6th 226,871 36 / km²
Politics
Aberdeenshire Council http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk
Control:
MPs:	Malcolm Bruce Alex Salmond Robert Smith
MSPs:	Stewart Stevenson Nora Radcliffe Mike Rumbles

Aberdeenshire is one of 32 unitary council regions in Scotland.

It borders on Moray, Angus, Perth and Kinross, and Aberdeen City. Size: 6300 square kilometres. Its council headquarters are based at Woodhill House, Westburn Road, Aberdeen which serves as its administrative centre.

Aberdeenshire Council was established in April 1996, replacing three District councils (Banff and Buchan, Gordon and Kincardine and Deeside) and part of the area of Grampian Regional Council.

There are 68 Councillors; in 2004 they were 28 Liberal Democrat, 15 SNP, 14 Independent and 11 Conservative.

The Council's net expenditure is £399.1m a year (2003/04).

Education takes the largest share of expenditure (55%), followed by Social Work and Housing (19%), Transportation and Infrastructure (11%), and Joint Services such as Fire and Police (10%). 22% of revenue is raised locally through the Council Tax. Average Band D Council Tax is the eighth lowest in mainland Scotland at £966 (2003/04).

Aberdeenshire has a population of 226,871, representing 4.5% of Scotland's total, and a 20% increase since 1981, 50% since 1971. Major towns are Peterhead (17,947), Fraserburgh (12,454), Inverurie (10,882), Stonehaven (9,577), Westhill (9,498) and Ellon (8,754). The population has a higher proportion of younger age groups than the rest of Scotland, reflecting employment-driven in-migration in recent decades.

Aberdeenshire has devolved power to six Area Committees:

• Banff & Buchan ,
• Buchan,
• Formartine ,
• Garioch ,
• Marr ,
• Kincardine & Mearns

Banff & Buchan Population 35,742 (2001 Census)

Fishing and agriculture are important industries, together with associated processing and service activity.

The area is relatively self-contained, and in recent years has seen a small decline in population. It does, however, have tourism assets in its coastline, coastal villages and visitor attractions. Economic dependency, peripherality, and the future of the Common Fisheries/Agricultural Policies, are key issues. The Buchan Local Action Plan will address some of these concerns. The Area qualifies for European Union Objective 2 structural funding.

Buchan Population 39,160 (2001 Census)

Peterhead is the largest town in Aberdeenshire; the principal white fish landing port in Europe; and a major oil industry service centre. Equally important, is the nearby gas terminal at St Fergus .

Attempts are being made to counter the negative effects of several recent key company closures and economic threats. Inland, the area is dependent upon agriculture, and many villages have seen a decline in population and services. Issues affecting Banff and Buchan also apply here, as does the future of the oil and gas industry. Part of Buchan benefits from EU aid coverage. Opportunities exist through the Buchan Local Action Plan to safeguard and enhance the economic future of Peterhead and Buchan.

Formartine Population 36,478 (2001 Census)

Formartine has experienced rapid population growth, particularly around Ellon and Oldmeldrum , and in the south east where development has spread outwith the city of Aberdeen. By contrast, the area around Turriff retains strong dependency on the traditional agricultural economy. The area's coastline and rural environment offer recreation potential.

Garioch Population 42,947 (2001 Census)

Centred on Inverurie, a traditional rural market town, Garioch has also experienced rapid growth due to its proximity to the city of Aberdeen. Significant growth in population, services and employment is anticipated in the A96 corridor and in Westhill. The area is largely agricultural, but is strongly affected by the City's economy and the oil and gas sector. Garioch holds growing potential for tourism, in its environment and archaeological heritage.

Marr Population 34,038 (2001 Census)

To the west, the mountain environment of the Cairngorms National Park sustains a well developed tourist industry based on heritage and outdoor pursuits. Forestry and livestock farming are key industries, particularly in remoter areas. Part of the area has qualified for EU financial assistance. To the east, Marr has experienced population growth due to its strong commuter links with the city of Aberdeen.

Kincardine and Mearns Population 38,506 (2001 Census)

Transport links with Aberdeen have encouraged very rapid population growth, especially to the north of the area. Existing settlements such as Portlethen and Stonehaven have greatly expanded, along with industrial activity. The southern part is more self-contained, with the fertile Mearns area sustaining a strong agricultural economy. Small scale tourism activity exists along its attractive coastline and former fishing villages.