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Unitary authority · England

Isles of Scilly

The Isles of Scilly form a geographically isolated island community lying off the coast of Cornwall, featuring five inhabited islands and an unusual local-government structure.

Quick facts

Type of place
Unitary authority
Nation
England
Official identifier
gss:E06000053

Overview

Lying off the coast of Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly comprise an archipelago with five inhabited islands and a distinct approach to local governance. The islands operate outside standard mainland council arrangements, managing services tailored to their location.

Isles of Scilly is a unitary authority in England.

Population and demographics

Land area
16.32 km²

Figures for . ONS EW MYE25 workbook geography: Notes April 2024; landing edition 2023 boundaries.

Office for National Statistics · ons-mid-2025 · MYE5!D319 (binary spreadsheet decimal rounded to 6 dp). Released 29 July 2026.

Open Government Licence v3.0 · Source: Office for National Statistics licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0

Population
2,299 people

Figures for . ONS EW MYE25 workbook geography: Notes April 2024; landing edition 2023 boundaries.

Office for National Statistics · ons-mid-2025 · MYE2 - Persons!D319. Released 29 July 2026.

Open Government Licence v3.0 · Source: Office for National Statistics licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0

Population density: 140.9 people per km²

Calculated from the population and land area for 30 June 2025, using figures from the same release and covering the same boundaries.

The Inhabited Islands

The archipelago is made up of five main islands that support local residents: St Mary's, St Martin's, St Agnes, Bryher and Tresco. St Mary's is the largest island of the group and holds Hugh Town within its bounds. The islands form a geographically isolated community.

Unusual Local Governance

The Council of the Isles of Scilly holds an unusual local-government status that sets it apart from ordinary mainland districts, and legislation applying elsewhere in England may apply in modified form or explicitly mention the islands. Rather than operating under Cornwall Council, the local authority directly manages services including a local airport, residential care facilities, and a dedicated fire and rescue service.

Related places

Sources

  1. Isles of Scilly information pack — Council of the Isles of Scilly. The Isles of Scilly lie off Cornwall's coast. (The Islands; St Mary's). Accessed 2026-09-28.
  2. About us — Council of the Isles of Scilly. The Council of the Isles of Scilly has an unusual local-government status, and legislation applying elsewhere in England may apply in modified form or explicitly mention the islands. (Council status and responsibilities). Accessed 2026-09-28.

  3. ONS local authority districts December 2025

    Office for National Statistics · lad-december-2025 · Open Government Licence v3.0 · Source: Office for National Statistics licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0 Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2025.