What is the home ownership rate in Ireland?

Census 2022 recorded a home ownership rate of 66.4% in Ireland — meaning 66.4% of households are owner-occupied. This is down from approximately 80% in the late 1990s. The rate varies from 82% in Leitrim to below 36% in parts of Dublin City. The IrelandInsights map shows the exact owner-occupancy rate for every one of Ireland's 3,420 electoral divisions.

Which county in Ireland has the highest home ownership rate?

Leitrim has the highest home ownership rate of any Irish county at approximately 82%, according to Census 2022. Other high-ownership counties include Roscommon (approximately 77%), Mayo, Longford, and Cavan. These counties all have rural-dominated housing tenure patterns with limited rental infrastructure and historically lower property prices.

Why is home ownership declining in Ireland?

Home ownership in Ireland fell from approximately 80% in the late 1990s to 66.4% in Census 2022. The decline is concentrated in urban areas — particularly Dublin, where ownership has fallen below 50% overall. Key factors include rising prices relative to income, a structural shift toward build-to-rent development, demographic change as younger cohorts delay purchase, and increased international migration to cities. Rural counties have retained ownership rates above 75%.

What areas of Dublin have the lowest home ownership rates?

Inner Dublin electoral divisions record the lowest home ownership rates in Ireland. Some EDs in Dublin 1, Dublin 2, and parts of Dublin 7 and Dublin 8 show owner-occupancy below 36%. These areas have the highest private renting rates in Ireland and the most acute rental market pressure. The IrelandInsights map shows precise ownership rates at electoral division level across all Dublin constituencies.

Ireland Housing Tenure · Census 2022

Home ownership rate in Ireland — 66.4% by county (Census 2022)

Niall Thomas · 4 min read

Ireland's home ownership rate has fallen from 80% in the 1990s to 66.4% in Census 2022 — the fastest drop of any EU country in that period. In Dublin's inner city it sits below 36%. The data is below.

Ireland home ownership — Census 2022 overview

National Rate

66.4%

Owner-occupied

Highest county

82%

Leitrim

Lowest county

~36%

Dublin urban core EDs

EDs mapped

3,420

Every electoral division

Areas with the highest home ownership rates

These electoral divisions had the highest share of owner-occupied homes in Census 2022. High-ownership EDs cluster in rural Ireland, established suburbs, and towns with little rental infrastructure.

Electoral Division	Owner Occupied %
1. BORRISNOENorth Tipperary	97.5%
2. LICKEENKerry	97.3%
3. KILCRONATCork	96.9%
4. CREGGARoscommon	96.6%
5. CASTLETOWNClare	96.2%
6. BALLYLANEENWaterford	95.9%

Explore home ownership across Ireland →

Areas with the lowest home ownership rates

Electoral divisions with the lowest owner-occupancy in Census 2022. Low-ownership EDs sit in urban cores — Dublin inner city, Cork city centre, and areas with high student or transient populations.

Electoral Division	Owner Occupied %
1. CUSTOM HOUSELimerick City	1.5%
2. SHANNON ALimerick City	2.8%
3. CUSTOM HOUSE BWaterford City	3.2%
4. ROYAL EXCHANGE BDublin City	3.9%
5. SHANNON BLimerick City	4.2%
6. CENTRE ACork City	5.6%

Explore private renting rates →

Source: CSO Census 2022, Housing Tenure by Electoral Division — covers all 3,420 electoral divisions across the 26 counties of Ireland.

Owner-occupancy rate by electoral division — Census 2022 Switch to renting rate → Switch to house prices →

The long decline in Irish home ownership

In the 1990s, Ireland had one of the highest home ownership rates in Europe — about 80%. Census 2022 puts it at 66.4%. The fall has not been even: rural counties hold rates above 75%, but Dublin City sits below 50% overall and below 36% in some inner-city electoral divisions.

Three factors drive the decline: rising prices relative to income, a structural shift toward build-to-rent in Dublin, and demographic change as younger cohorts delay or drop homeownership. Census 2022 shows the steepest falls in EDs with a median age below 35.

What home ownership data reveals about an area

Stability and tenure mix: High-ownership areas (above 75%) tend to have more settled communities, lower population turnover, and less rental pressure. They can also signal limited housing supply and fewer options for new arrivals.
Rental pressure: In urban areas, low ownership rates point directly to high rental demand. Dublin EDs below 40% owner-occupancy consistently show the highest private renting rates — and the sharpest housing pressure.
Affordability signal: High ownership in rural counties (Leitrim 82%, Roscommon ~77%) shows that purchase prices are affordable relative to income. Low ownership in commuter-belt towns shows recent price rises outpacing wages.
Investment and vacancy: Some EDs with lower ownership have more vacant homes — especially coastal and rural areas with holiday home stock. Census 2022 tracks vacancy separately from ownership tenure.

The 46-point gap between Leitrim's 82% and Dublin's inner-city 36% is not a rural–urban curiosity. It is the same housing crisis viewed from a different angle. Where ownership falls, renting pressure spikes. The map shows where the tipping points are.

Map home ownership by area

IrelandInsights maps owner-occupancy, private renting, and social housing rates for every electoral division in Ireland from Census 2022. Add unemployment, education, and age layers to get a full picture of housing tenure.

Ownership map Rental pressure Housing overview

Average rent by county → · House prices by county → · Cost of living →

← Housing crisis by area · Cheapest areas to buy →

Data: CSO Census 2022 · Housing Tenure by Electoral Division · 3,420 Electoral Divisions