Where should you live in Ireland?
Employment rates range from under 30% to over 90% within 20km of each other in parts of Ireland. County-level data hides that gap completely. Census 2022 covers 3,420 electoral divisions. The variation is sharper than any headline figure suggests. The data is below.
Ireland at a glance — Census 2022
Metrics that show area quality
Most area guides use reputation and anecdote. Census 2022 gives you the real signals:
- Employment rate — share of working-age adults in work. Higher means a stronger local economy and more jobs nearby.
- Education level — third-level qualification rate. A strong predictor of where an area is headed.
- Rental vs ownership split — high renting signals a transient population and cost pressure. High ownership signals settled communities.
- Population density — determines commute times, amenity access, and green space.
- Unemployment rate — a direct sign of economic stress in the area.
- Median age — shows whether an area skews young, family-oriented, or ageing. Relevant for schools, services, and community feel.
Areas with the highest employment rates
These electoral divisions had the highest employment rates in Census 2022. Employment rate is the share of working-age residents in work.
| Electoral Division | Employment Rate |
|---|---|
| 1. USHERS ADublin City | 76.7% |
| 2. OVENSCork City | 74.4% |
| 3. BORRISNOENorth Tipperary | 74.2% |
| 4. RATHMINES WEST ADublin City | 72.9% |
| 5. RATHMINES WEST BDublin City | 71.6% |
| 6. KILMAINHAM BDublin City | 71.4% |
Areas with the highest third-level education rates
Share of residents with a third-level qualification. This tracks closely with income levels and area development.
| Electoral Division | Third Level % |
|---|---|
| 1. BLACKROCK-SEAPOINTDun Laoghaire/Rathdown | 80.26% |
| 2. BLACKROCK-CENTRALDun Laoghaire/Rathdown | 80.12% |
| 3. RATHMINES EAST BDublin City | 80.1% |
| 4. DUN LAOGHAIRE-GLENAGEARYDun Laoghaire/Rathdown | 80.04% |
| 5. BLACKROCK-BOOTERSTOWNDun Laoghaire/Rathdown | 79.85% |
| 6. CLONSKEAGH-MILLTOWNDun Laoghaire/Rathdown | 79.31% |
Areas with the lowest unemployment
Electoral divisions with the lowest unemployment rates in Ireland — a direct sign of economic health at neighbourhood level.
| Electoral Division | Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|
| 1. ILLIONGalway | 0% |
| 2. LOUGHBRINKerry | 0% |
| 3. BARROOSKYMayo | 0% |
| 4. NEALSTOWNLaois | 0% |
| 5. KILTORCANKilkenny | 0% |
| 6. KILBEHENYLimerick | 0.77% |
Compare areas by county
Every county has a detailed data profile — population trends, education, housing tenure, and economic indicators, all broken down to electoral division level.
Explore on the live map
Hover any electoral division and see its Census 2022 figures — employment, education, housing tenure, demographics, and more. Ask the AI analyst what the data means for any area.
Kildare, Meath, and Wicklow lead the commuter belt on employment, education, and affordability. Census 2027 will update those figures. The map lets you compare any two EDs side by side today.
More IrelandInsights reports
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- → Cost of Living Ireland by County — Rent + Census
- → House Price-to-Income Ratio Ireland — by County
- → BER Rating Chart Ireland — E–G Homes by County
- → Ireland’s Housing Crisis — Where It’s Worst
- → Empty Homes in Ireland — Vacancy by County
- → Cheapest Areas to Buy in Ireland — House Prices
- → Home Ownership in Ireland — Census 2022
- → Pobal Deprivation Index — All 26 Counties Mapped
- → Average Age in Ireland — by County
- → Fastest Growing Towns in Ireland — Census 2022
- → Religion in Ireland by County — Census 2022
- → Unemployment Rate Ireland — By Area, Census 2022
- → Education in Ireland — Third-Level by County
- → Working from Home in Ireland — Census 2022
- → Young Population in Ireland — Census 2022
- → Rural Ireland — Census 2022 Data by Area