What is the employment rate in Kilkenny?

The employment rate in Kilkenny was 57.1% according to Census 2022, compared to a national average of 55.2%. IrelandInsights maps employment at electoral division level for every county in Ireland.

What is the housing tenure breakdown in Kilkenny?

In Kilkenny, 82.3% of households are owner-occupied and 7.3% rent privately, according to Census 2022. The national averages are 76.2% owner-occupied and 11.0% privately rented.

Census Profile · Kilkenny · 2022

County Kilkenny — Car-dependent employment profile

Q: Is Kilkenny a commuter county?

Yes. 76.0% of Kilkenny workers commute by car — 4.9pp above the national figure of 71.1%. An employment rate of 57.1% and limited public transport options underpin the high car-dependency rate. Home ownership at 82.3% and third-level attainment at 55.2% reflect a working-age, car-dependent county profile. IrelandInsights maps journey time and commute mode at electoral division level.

76.0% of Kilkenny workers commute by car — 4.9pp above the national figure of 71.1%. An employment rate of 57.1% and limited public transport options underpin the high car-dependency rate. Home ownership at 82.3% and third-level attainment at 55.2% reflect a working-age, car-dependent county profile.

        Kilkenny is +4.9pp vs national on car commuting.
      

Key statistics — County Kilkenny

Car Commute

76.0%

+4.9pp vs national

Employment Rate

57.1%

National: 55.2%

Owner-Occupied

82.3%

National: 76.2%

Third-Level

55.2%

National: 52.6%

Top electoral divisions — Car Commute in Kilkenny

The electoral divisions within County Kilkenny with the highest car commute rate, Census 2022.

Electoral Division	Car Commute Rate
1. ENNISNAG	86.6%
2. BALLYHALE	84.6%
3. FIDDOWN	84.1%
4. ULLID	83.9%
5. MUCKALEE	83.7%

Explore Kilkenny data on the map

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

Car-dependent employment profile — Kilkenny map Employment — Kilkenny Housing — Kilkenny

County Kilkenny — what stands out

What stands out?

County Kilkenny has one of Ireland's lowest non-Irish citizens rates, ranking 24th nationally — 6.4% in Census 2022.

Why does it matter?

The share of non-Irish citizens reflects patterns of economic migration — the sectors and regions that attract international workers. It reveals where specific industries (agri-food, healthcare, tech) are drawing workers from abroad, and where integration services are most needed.

How does it compare nationally?

Kilkenny6.4%

National avg9.2%

Difference-2.8pp

Rank24 / 26

What's the likely explanation?

The non-Irish citizens rate in Kilkenny reflects a combination of geographic, economic, and demographic factors. The map shows considerable variation within the county — individual electoral divisions often differ significantly from the county average.

County Kilkenny — census data context

County-level figures aggregate all electoral divisions within Kilkenny. The map reveals the internal variation those county averages suppress — the gap between the most and least deprived EDs in Kilkenny is typically far wider than the county-to-national difference highlighted above. View the full Kilkenny area guide →

Compare counties

Wexford Waterford Tipperary Laois Carlow Dublin Cork

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 Kilkenny · Electoral Division averages · cso.ie/census