Census 2016: A look at Tallaght, Clondalkin, Lucan and Ballyfermot
By Mary Dennehy and Laura Lyne
THE preliminary results of Census 2016 have today been released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), with an additional 13,544 people living in South Dublin County since the last census in 2011.
Overall, Ireland’s population has increased by 169,724 people to 4,757,976 in the past five years – an increase of 3.7 per cent.
The highest population increase nationally was Fingal in Dublin, which grew by 8 per cent, while the biggest fall was in Donegal, where the population fell by 1.5 per cent.
Here in South County Dublin, the population has grown by an additional 13,544, with the population increasing from 265,205 to 278,749 in the past five years.
This growth in population reflects a 5.1 per cent increase, the eight highest increase in a local authority area in the country.
Tallaght, Templeogue, Rathfarnham – population
The highest population jump by electoral area in Tallaght is Springfield, which has experienced the sixth highest population increase in the country. The number of people living within the electoral area of Springfield has jumped from 9,123 in 2011 to 11,068, an increase of 1,945 people.
The electoral area of Saggart has also experienced a high population growth, increasing by 1,056 people to 4,113 while Rathcoole has jumped by 780 people to 5,520. Fettercairn is also up, with 711 additional people living in the area since 2011.
Not many drops in population across the Tallaght area however, Belgard has experienced a 0.4 per cent decrease – that’s seven less people since 2011 – with its population now standing at 1,687.
The Electoral ward of Firhouse-Ballycullen is up 6.5 per cent, with the population growing by 507 people to 8,280.
As you move across South Dublin County from Tallaght into Templeogue and Ballyroan, many of the electoral wards have experienced a decrease in population.
Electoral area of Ballyboden down 2.5 per cent with the population currently at 4,959.
Electoral area of Templeogue/Cypress also down 3 per cent to 2,712.
Some electoral wards in Rathfarnham have experienced population growths including Rathfarnham Village which is up 3.5 per cent to 3,098 and Rathfarnham Butterfield which is up 2.8 per cent, and now has a population of 3,296.
Housing and vacant properties
While South Dublin County’s population grew 5.1 per cent, the number of households grew by only 3.6 per cent.
Nationally however, South Dublin County has the lowest number of vacant dwellings by local authority area in the country, with vacant dwellings making up four per cent of its overall housing stock.
Population increase – Clondalkin, Lucan and Ballyfermot
The third highest increase in the country was the Lucan-Esker electoral area, which saw an increase of 2,314 people from 29,820 to 32,134, 7.8 per cent.
Newcastle saw a 13.6 per cent increase in its population, of 509 people.
Inchicore and Kilmainham saw an increase in population, with an 808 person or 18.5 per cent increase in the Kilmainham C ward, and a 216 person or 10.8 per cent increase in the Inchicore B ward.
Population decrease – Clondalkin, Lucan and Ballyfermot
There was a slight population decrease in long-established housing areas. Palmerstown West saw its population drop by 101 people, a 1.3 per cent decrease.
While the area of Crumlin remained primarily static in population, the Crumlin B ward saw its population drop by one person, a 0 per cent decrease.
Overall there was a slight increase in population in all three areas.
Vacancy rates – Clondalkin, Lucan and Ballyfermot
Vacancy rates in the areas of Clondalkin, Ballyfermot and Lucan were on average between zero and 10 per cent across all areas. Exceptions were in Inchicore and Kilmainham.
There was an 11.2 per cent increase in vacancies in the Inchicore A ward which has 132 vacant dwellings, one of which is a holiday home.
Kilmainham B saw a 15 per cent increase in vacancies, which includes 188 vacant dwellings.
For more on the Census 2016 check out next week’s Echo or click HERE
