The island has a population of around 6000, with around 4000 people living in Skopelos town, 1500 in Glossa and Loutraki, and the rest in Elios, Klima and other small settlements on the island. These days most of the population is involved in the tourist industry in one way or other, and this has meant that the younger generations have started to choose to remain on the island, instead of having to go to the mainland to find employment.
There are still many trades being practised and handed down from father to son: for example, there are many carpenters on the island, possibly due to the island's history of boat building, and some are still making the traditional couches and trunks. A sector of the population still takes its income from fishing: fresh fish is sold from small boats (caiques) on the waterfronts of both Skopelos and Loutraki.
It's unusual these days to see islanders dressed in the traditional costume, although a few of the older ladies still wear the full-skirted blue dress with a white blouse. If you are interested in the traditional costumes and generally in learning more about the island's bygone eras, it's worth visiting the town's Folklore Museum. Or come to Skopelos in the winter, during Carnival, when many of the local people wear the clothes of the region.
