Census data finds Knock has oldest population in Ireland

Analysis of the 2022 Census data by Gamma, a leading location intelligence technology company, has revealed that Knock in County Mayo has the oldest population of any town in the country.

Having analysed the Census data for Irish towns of at least 1,000 or more people following the release of the results, Gamma’s Location Labs shows the towns with the oldest and youngest populations across Ireland, with Knock found to have the oldest population with an average age of 47.

Meanwhile, Watergrasshill in Cork and Saggart in Dublin emerged as the communities with the youngest population, with an average age of 30.

Locally, Ballyhaunis has the youngest population in the county with an average age of 35 while the town also has the biggest percentage growth in population since the 2016 census with a 17% increase.

Castlebar has the biggest population in the county with 13,054 residents, an increase of 986 on figures since the last census. Ballina is also featured in the analysis with the Moyside town having 12% of adults living with their parents, the highest in the county.

The analysis also looked at national population density and growth since the last Census in 2016. Unsurprisingly, a Dublin suburb was the most densely populated – Kinsealy-Drinan, which is situated in the north of the county, was found to have 8,401 people per square kilometre.

Elsewhere, Clonee in Meath was the highest for the rest of the country, with 5,536 inhabitants per square kilometre. Also in County Meath, Dunshaughlin had the largest relative population growth, with the data showing that 65% more people live there now than in 2016.

Overall, 12% of people aged 18 and over are living with their parents, but in some places this percentage is much higher. Ardnacrusha in Clare tops the list with 21% of adults living with their parents. Other towns where the proportion exceeds one in five are Johnstown and Carragh in Kildare, and Dunboyne in Meath.

Feargal O’Neill, Gamma CEO, said: “The 2022 Census data has allowed us to analyse and paint an up-to-date picture of the population across Ireland. With this data, we can see the growth of communities across the country, as well as those with ageing populations.

“Being able to visualise and analyse such data can be extremely valuable for business and policy decision-makers in terms of identifying opportunities, assessing risks and planning for the future.”