More than half the population live in the Musselburgh, Prestonpans, Cockenzie, Port Seton and Tranent areas. Although Musselburgh is the largest town in East Lothian, Haddington is its administrative centre where over 400 of the Council's 4,480 staff work. The area's economy was built on farming, fishing, coal mining and general manufacturing. Today, East Lothian is home to a number of modern industries including electronics, chemical research and printing. Agriculture remains important, but inshore fishing is now only a small scale industry.
Tourism is also an important and developing industry.
East Lothian is a golfer's paradise with a total of 19 courses. Musselburgh Links is the oldest surviving golf course in the world, but the most famous East Lothian course is Muirfield, home to the Open Championship 14 times since 1892 and returning there in 2002. Throughout the summer months East Lothian hosts many local galas, festivals, fetes and agricultural shows. Historic castles include Dirleton, Tantallon and Hailes, which are all maintained by Historic Scotland.