Understanding Scottish Places

West Calder, West Lothian

Population 3,407

View West Calder on map

West Calder in West Lothian was an oil shale town in the 19th and early 20th centuries by Young's Paraffin Light and Mineral Oil Co. Ltd.. Much of the housing dates from the mid 20th century when public housing was built with oil shale being exploited until 1962. The development of Livingston mitigated the decline of employment in West Calder.

In this and similar medium towns, this population comprises families with a higher proportion of adults in the 25–44 age grouping. Higher rates of full time employment are found.

West Calder is an interdependent to independent town.

Its most similar towns are Culloden, Laurencekirk, Lossiemouth, and Thornliebank.

To gain more insight into West Calder, compare it to any of the other towns included in USP.

Inter-relationships

Dependent
Interdependent
Independent

Number of jobs

-2
Type average 1

Diversity of jobs

0
Type average 1

Distance travelled to work

4
Type average 3

Number of public sector jobs

2
Type average 2

Number of hospitals

-6
Type average -6

Number of GP's and dentists

6
Type average 4

Number of children in primary schools

6
Type average 4

Number of children in secondary schools

6
Type average 4

Distance travelled to study

0
Type average 4

Number of shops

4
Type average 1

Diversity of retail offer

-4
Type average -3

Number of charities

Type average 1
Dependent
Interdependent
Independent

Change

Public

Education (% all people aged 16 and over)

  No education Standard grade or equivalent Higher grade or equivalent HNC, HND, SVQ4 Degree or higher degree
West Calder 17.62223004 20.01406964 11.81850158 22.23003869 28.17446359

Commercial

Distance travelled to study

  At home Up to 5km 5 to 10km 10 to 30km 30km and over
West Calder 2.6709715292045786 10.71323745230408 1.614323451717053 1.174053419430584 0.7044320516583504

Environment Indicators

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To gain more insight into West Calder, compare it to any of the other towns included in USP.

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Footnotes