Census Profile · Mayo · 2022

Population of Mayo 2022

County Mayo — At work (aged 15+) — the second-lowest in Ireland

Mayo has the second-lowest share of persons aged 15+ at work of Ireland's 26 counties, at 52.3% against 56.1% nationally (-3.8pp). The map shows the electoral-division values behind the county figure.

Mayo is -3.8pp vs national on share of persons aged 15+ at work.

Key statistics — County Mayo

At work (aged 15+)
52.3%
#25 of 26 counties
National
56.1%
share of persons aged 15+ at work
Home ownership
72.8%
National: 65.9%
Irish speakers
40.8%
National: 36.4%

Top electoral divisions — At work (aged 15+) in Mayo

The electoral divisions within County Mayo with the highest share of persons aged 15+ at work, Census 2022.

Electoral DivisionAt work (aged 15+)
1. OWENNADORNAUN/BUNDORRAGHA 64.9%
2. BURREN 62.8%
3. CROSSBOYNE 61.3%
4. SLIEVEMAHANAGH 61.2%
5. CARAUN 59.9%

Explore Mayo data on the map

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

At work (aged 15+) — the second-lowest in Ireland — Mayo map Employment — Mayo Housing — Mayo

County Mayo — what stands out

What stands out?
County Mayo has a share of persons aged 15+ at work among Ireland's lowest, ranking 25th nationally — 52.3% in Census 2022.
What does this measure?
This measures the share of persons aged 15+ who are at work. It is measured against all persons aged 15 and over — including students and retired people — so it reflects age structure as well as the local labour market.
How does it compare nationally?
Mayo52.3%
National avg56.1%
Difference-3.8pp
Rank25 / 26

Mayo: background

The Great Famine is a major event in Mayo's recorded population history. Before it the county had 388,887 people; the source estimates that nine tenths of the county's population depended on the potato, and when blight destroyed it the county's population fell by around 29% to 274,499 through death and emigration. Emigration never really stopped after that — each subsequent census recorded a further decline, down to a low of 109,525 people by 1971, a fraction of the pre-Famine population.

The National Famine Memorial at Murrisk, a bronze "coffin ship" sculpture set against Croagh Patrick, marks that history in the county. Population figures are from the source cited below (1841, 1851 and 1971 census counts as it reports them, checked 22 October 2026); the history is context for the figures, not a measured explanation of today's demographics.

Sources: The Great Famine in Co. Mayo

Mayo and its neighbours — At work (aged 15+)

Mayo ranks 4 of 4 (highest first) on share of persons aged 15+ at work, among itself and the neighbouring counties that share a boundary with it (boundaries: OSi/Tailte Éireann).

CountyAt work (aged 15+)
Galway56.0%
Sligo53.4%
Roscommon52.7%
Mayo52.3%

County Mayo — census data context

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

Compare counties

GalwayRoscommonSligoDublinCork

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 Mayo · Electoral Division averages · cso.ie/census

Frequently asked questions

How does Mayo's share of persons aged 15+ at work compare to the national figure?
Mayo has the second-lowest share of persons aged 15+ at work of Ireland's 26 counties, at 52.3% against 56.1% nationally (-3.8pp). 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 Mayo?
In Mayo, 52.3% 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 Mayo?
In Mayo, 72.8% of households are owner-occupied and 15.2% rent privately, according to Census 2022. The national averages are 65.9% owner-occupied and 18.0% privately rented.