The population of Donegal has risen by 4.5% (7,129 people) since 2016, new figures show.
Preliminary results from the CSO census night show that the population of the county in 2022 is now 166,321.
Ireland’s population has jumped to 5,123,536 – the highest population recorded in a census since 1,841.
Donegal had a below-average population growth compared to other counties and areas. Longford grew by more than 14%, with Meath, Kildare, and Fingal, also growing strongly. Both Leitrim (+9.5%) and Roscommon (+8.4%) showed a higher percentage increase than the national rate, while Cavan, Donegal, or Monaghan did not.
The Preliminary Results also provide initial figures on the country’s housing stock. There was a modest increase of 3% in the housing stock in Donegal between 2016 and 2022. There are currently 86,489 permanent dwellings counted in Donegal. Of these, 9,851 were noted as vacant by CSO enumerators.
