Yesterday the CSO released a new tranche of the Census 2011 results. The new tables relate to the population of towns and rural areas and population by area. We’ve taken the data an visualized it on AIRO as interactive maps and graphs:
Map of population and population of towns (see map below)
Components of Population Change 2011 (Birth,Deaths & Migration)
Urban/Rural Population Split at County Level – Census 2011
Irish Towns categorised by Population, Area and Change (see image below)
With respect to towns, 62 per cent of the total population now live in urban areas. Nearly all towns grew between 2006-2011, with some growing very strongly (10 by over 50% – Saggart, Courtown Harbour, Newcastle, Carrigtwohill, Ballymahon, Rathnew, Kinsealy-Drinan, Annacotty, Ballyjamesduff, Sixmilebridge). Eight towns shrunk in size, with Templemore decreasing by 13.1%.
Justin Gleeson and Rob Kitchin
Ireland after NAMA 
April 29, 2012 at 7:00 am
Justin and Rob, these are very interesting, thank you.
I was wondering, though, about county-level births data. How are these identified by the CSO?
If based on registration of births data, they would reflect where infants are born, rather than their first place of residence. In this case the large maternity hospitals – especially in the Eastern region – would distort the county level figures – with follow-on implications for county-level data on other demographic calculations – such as natural increase.
Am I wrong?
April 29, 2012 at 4:16 pm
Jane, all Census data are collected from households so the data reflects, I believe, place of first residence not place of birth. Rob
April 30, 2012 at 10:34 am
That’s right, of course. And it makes sense that the highest rates are in Fingal, Meath and Kildare.
Thanks Rob.