Fife

Fife spans about 1,314 km² (507 sq mi) in Scotland.

Land area1,314 km² (507 sq mi)
Postcode districts18
Places248
Largest townDunfermline, Inverkeithing

Outline from Office for National Statistics and Ordnance Survey data, Open Government Licence v3.0.

Living in Fife

Fife is a county area on the east coast of Scotland, lying between the Firth of Forth and the Firth of Tay. Its coastal position and fertile inland land have shaped settlement and working life for centuries, creating a varied landscape of fishing villages, market towns and productive farmland. The county has a strong sense of identity, influenced by its history, geography and close connection to the sea.

The county includes towns such as Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy, Glenrothes and St Andrews, each playing a different role within the wider area. Dunfermline has long been an important administrative and historical centre, while St Andrews is internationally recognised for education and tourism. Elsewhere, towns developed around manufacturing, mining and later planned industry, supporting stable communities across Fife.

Fife is particularly valued for its coastline, with harbours, beaches and coastal paths forming an important part of everyday life. Inland, farmland and gentle hills support agriculture and outdoor activity. Taken together, Fife offers a steady mix of coastal setting, historic towns and working communities, giving it a distinctive and well balanced character within Scotland.

Fife at a Glance

372,984Population46th biggest
Avg house price
Avg income
284/km²Density57th densest
1,314 km²Land area

Amenities & Getting Around

2GP practices
17Train stations
90EV charge points

Source: NHS, National Rail and Open Charge Map.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much are houses in Fife?

The average sold price in Fife is around £0.

What is the population of Fife?

Fife has a population of about 372,984 people, at a density of 284 per square kilometre.

Largest Towns in Fife 12

Dunfermline, Inverkeithing
65K
Kirkcaldy
56.2K
Glenrothes
44.6K
Dunfermline
40.5K
Alloa, Clackmannan
37.6K
Leven
37.5K
Cupar
26.6K
St. Andrews
25K
Cowdenbeath, Kelty
23K
Lochgelly
21K
Burntisland
11.8K
Kinross
11.5K

Location

Elevation & Terrain

Lowest point Blairburn , 0 ft (0 m)
Highest point Hill End , 663 ft (202 m)
Average across towns 226 ft (69 m)
Elevation range 663 ft (202 m)

Fife stretches from 0 ft at Blairburn up to 663 ft at Hill End, a span of 663 ft across 248 towns and villages. This reflects notably varied terrain, with clear contrasts between lower valleys and higher ground.

Main Towns in Fife 56

Fife has 248 towns, villages and localities in total. The main towns are shown below. You can also browse the full A to Z of every place in Fife.

Browse all 248 places in Fife →

Postcode Areas in Fife 3

Fife is served by 3 postcode areas. Each area contains multiple postcode districts covering different parts of the county.

Neighbouring Counties 6