Census Profile · Donegal · 2022

Population of Donegal 2022

County Donegal — Vacancy (incl. holiday homes) — the highest in Ireland

Donegal has the highest vacancy rate including holiday homes of Ireland's 26 counties, at 25.7% against 10.9% nationally (+14.8pp). The map shows the electoral-division values behind the county figure.

Donegal is +14.8pp vs national on vacancy rate including holiday homes.

Key statistics — County Donegal

Vacancy (incl. holiday homes)
25.7%
#1 of 26 counties
National
10.9%
vacancy rate including holiday homes
Deprivation score
-5.6
National: 0.4
At work (aged 15+)
51.1%
National: 56.1%

Top electoral divisions — Vacancy (incl. holiday homes) in Donegal

The electoral divisions within County Donegal with the highest vacancy rate including holiday homes, Census 2022.

Electoral DivisionVacancy (incl. holiday homes)
1. ARDS 64.9%
2. ROSGUILL 62.8%
3. GREENFORT 62.2%
4. GLEN 56.3%
5. INISHKEEL 55.8%

Explore Donegal data on the map

Every electoral division in County Donegal is mapped. Hover to inspect Census 2022 figures or ask the AI analyst for a plain-language explanation.

Vacancy (incl. holiday homes) — the highest in Ireland — Donegal map Employment — Donegal Housing — Donegal

County Donegal — what stands out

What stands out?
County Donegal has the highest vacancy rate including holiday homes in Ireland — 25.7% in Census 2022.
What does this measure?
This measures the share of dwellings that are vacant, including holiday homes.
How does it compare nationally?
Donegal25.7%
National avg10.9%
Difference+14.8pp
Rank1 / 26

Donegal: background

Donegal was part of the historic province of Ulster. Section 1(2) of the Government of Ireland Act 1920 defined Northern Ireland as the parliamentary counties of Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry and Tyrone (with the boroughs of Belfast and Londonderry), so Donegal lay outside it (checked 22 October 2026).

Donegal also records the lowest disposable income per person of any county in the CSO series: €19,253 in 2021, against €27,958 in Dublin (CSO, County Incomes and Regional GDP 2021, checked 22 October 2026). The CSO figure measures income, not its causes; the border position is context, not a measured explanation.

Sources: Government of Ireland Act 1920, section 1 (legislation.gov.uk) · CSO — County Incomes and Regional GDP 2021

Donegal and its neighbours — Vacancy (incl. holiday homes)

Donegal ranks 1 of 2 (highest first) on vacancy rate including holiday homes, among itself and the neighbouring counties that share a boundary with it (boundaries: OSi/Tailte Éireann).

CountyVacancy (incl. holiday homes)
Donegal25.7%
Leitrim24.4%

County Donegal — census data context

County-level figures aggregate all electoral divisions within Donegal. The map shows the variation between electoral divisions that county averages do not. View the full Donegal area guide →

Compare counties

LeitrimDublinCork

Ireland census guides

→ Where to live in Ireland → Housing crisis by area → Home ownership rates → Education levels → Unemployment by area → Commuter towns → Deprivation map → Population growth
Data: CSO Census 2022 · County Donegal · Electoral Division averages · cso.ie/census

Frequently asked questions

How does Donegal's vacancy rate including holiday homes compare to the national figure?
Donegal has the highest vacancy rate including holiday homes of Ireland's 26 counties, at 25.7% against 10.9% nationally (+14.8pp). The map shows the electoral-division values behind the county figure. IrelandInsights maps this at electoral division level — hover any ED on the map to see its exact figure.
What share of people aged 15+ are at work in Donegal?
In Donegal, 51.1% of people aged 15 and over were at work according to Census 2022, compared with 56.1% nationally. IrelandInsights maps the share at work at electoral division level for every county in Ireland.
What is the housing tenure breakdown in Donegal?
In Donegal, 70.0% of households are owner-occupied and 13.6% rent privately, according to Census 2022. The national averages are 65.9% owner-occupied and 18.0% privately rented.