What are the fastest growing towns in Ireland?

The fastest growing towns in Ireland between 2016 and 2022 (Census 2022) include: Ashbourne and Ratoath in Co. Meath; Maynooth and Celbridge in Co. Kildare; Balbriggan and Swords in north Dublin (Fingal); Greystones in Co. Wicklow; and Carrigaline and Ballincollig in Co. Cork. Athlone in Co. Westmeath is the fastest-growing major inland town. Growth is concentrated in the Dublin commuter belt where housing is more affordable than in the capital. Some electoral divisions within these towns grew by over 25% between the two censuses.

What is Ireland's population in 2022?

Ireland's population was 5.149 million in Census 2022 — the highest in the history of the state and the largest recorded since the foundation of the Irish Free State. This represents an increase of 362,000 people (7.6%) since the 2016 Census. The growth is driven by natural increase (births minus deaths), net inward migration, and the return of Irish emigrants. Dublin city and county has the largest population at over 1.4 million, while Leitrim remains the least populated county.

Which county in Ireland is growing fastest?

Meath was the fastest-growing county in Ireland between 2016 and 2022, with a population increase of approximately 12.1%. Kildare (+10.1%) and Wicklow (+8.3%) were close behind. These commuter counties are absorbing significant Dublin overspill — as housing costs in Dublin city rise, families and first-time buyers are moving further out along the M1, M7, and DART corridors. Within Dublin itself, Fingal (the north county) recorded the highest intra-Dublin growth, with areas around Swords and Balbriggan among the fastest-growing in the country.

Which parts of Ireland are losing population?

Many rural electoral divisions in Leitrim, Roscommon, Mayo, and Donegal recorded population declines between 2016 and 2022, even as county-level totals showed modest growth driven by their main towns. The pattern is one of rural hollowing — younger people move to cities or emigrate, while older residents remain. Census 2022 median age data makes this visible: the oldest electoral divisions in Ireland are consistently in the rural northwest and west, often exceeding a median age of 50. High median age is a leading indicator of continued decline — fewer young families mean fewer births and ongoing outward migration. IrelandInsights maps median age and population change for all 3,420 electoral divisions.

Ireland Population · Census 2022 · Electoral Divisions

Fastest growing towns and counties in Ireland — Census 2022

Ratoath grew 28% between Census 2016 and Census 2022 — the fastest-growing town in Ireland by electoral division. Ashbourne, Maynooth, Celbridge, and Balbriggan are close behind. Over the same six years, rural electoral divisions in Leitrim, Roscommon, and Mayo lost residents. The data is below.

Niall Thomas · 4 min read

Ireland population — Census 2022 headline figures

Total Population

5.149M

Census 2022

Growth Since 2016

+7.6%

+362,000 people

Median Age

38.8 yrs

National, Census 2022

Housing Units

2.1M

Occupied dwellings

Source: CSO Census 2022 — population, age, and household data at electoral division level across all 3,420 EDs.

Population by electoral division, Census 2022 Population size → Switch to median age →

Fastest-growing towns in Ireland — Census 2022

The Dublin commuter belt and major city suburbs led Ireland's fastest town growth between 2016 and 2022. All figures come from CSO Census 2016 and Census 2022 data at electoral division level.

Town	County	Pop. 2022	Growth 2016–2022
Ratoath	Meath	~12,000	+28%
Ashbourne	Meath	~19,000	+26%
Maynooth	Kildare	~16,000	+22%
Carrigaline	Cork	~18,000	+22%
Balbriggan	Dublin (Fingal)	~28,000	+20%
Greystones	Wicklow	~20,000	+19%
Celbridge	Kildare	~23,000	+18%
Trim	Meath	~10,000	+17%
Naas	Kildare	~24,000	+16%
Ballincollig	Cork	~22,000	+15%
Mullingar	Westmeath	~22,000	+13%
Swords	Dublin (Fingal)	~56,000	+12%
Athlone	Westmeath	~27,000	+14%

Population figures approximate; growth rates derived from CSO Census 2016 and Census 2022 data at electoral division level.

Fastest-growing counties — where the growth is

Growth between Census 2016 and Census 2022 centred on the Dublin commuter belt. These counties absorbed most of the 362,000 new residents recorded nationally.

Meath (+12.1%): the fastest-growing county in Ireland. Dublin commuters priced out of the capital drove demand along the M1, M2, and M3 corridors.
Kildare (+10.1%): Maynooth, Naas, and Celbridge led growth. Strong road and rail links to Dublin make Kildare the most accessible commuter county.
Fingal (Dublin North County): Swords, Balbriggan, and Blanchardstown grew sharply. Some EDs in north Dublin grew by 30%+ between 2016 and 2022.
Wicklow (+8.3%): Bray, Greystones, and Wicklow town kept attracting Dublin commuters. Strong DART access drives demand in north Wicklow.
Cork (+6.8%): Carrigaline, Ballincollig, and Midleton are Cork's fastest-growing suburbs. Cork county grew faster than Cork city as residents moved out.

Largest electoral divisions by population

Ireland's most populous electoral divisions sit mostly in outer Dublin suburbs and major urban extensions built in the 2000s.

Electoral Division	Population
1. BLANCHARDSTOWN-BLAKESTOWNFingal	43905
2. LUCAN-ESKERSouth Dublin	33849
3. NAVAN RURALMeath	31940
4. NAAS URBANKildare	26306
5. GLENCULLENDun Laoghaire/Rathdown	23596
6. CARRIGALINE/MONKSTOWN RURAL/DOUGLASCork City	22029

Explore population across Ireland →

Ireland's youngest areas — median age

These areas have the lowest median age. They typically reflect recent family settlement, high birth rates, or large student populations — mostly outer suburbs and university towns.

Electoral Division	Median Age
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Ireland's oldest areas — where is the population ageing?

These areas have the highest median age. Young people have left over many years, leaving an older population behind. They are almost always rural.

Electoral Division	Median Age
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Explore age demographics across Ireland →

Fastest-growing counties — explore the data

These counties recorded the highest growth between Census 2016 and Census 2022. Each has a full data profile at electoral division level.

Meath Kildare Wicklow Dublin Louth Wexford

The sharpest contrast is between Meath and Leitrim. One grows faster than anywhere in Ireland. The other is smaller than a century ago. The commuter belt pattern is stable and will likely continue into Census 2027. Watch the map as new housing completions shift the picture.

Explore population data on the map

IrelandInsights maps Census 2022 population figures, household size, and age demographics for every electoral division in Ireland. See which areas are growing, which are ageing, and the demographic profile of each area.

Population map Age demographics Education Meath growth

Where to live in Ireland → · Deprivation map → · Housing crisis →

Population change 1926–2022 → · 1926 census overview →

Data: CSO Census 2022 · Population and Age by Electoral Division · cso.ie/census