Mayo's population rises in line with national trends, Census 2022 reveals

Preliminary Census figures for county Mayo shows our population at 137,231, an increase of 6,724 (+5.2%) since 2016.

The total housing stock in Mayo in April 2022 was 68,735.

This shows an increase of 2,814 (+4.3%) since 2016.

There were 9,166 vacant dwellings, which was 1,431 fewer than in 2016 (-13.5%). This does not include holiday homes, of which there were 5,911.

Commenting on the figures, Councillor Mark Duffy said the fact that we have 9,166 vacant properties within the county during a housing crisis - where thousands of people remain on social and affordable housing lists and first time buyers with little to no options to get on the property ladder - points to a complete and abject failure in governmental policy that has allowed for vacancy & dereliction to blight our county.

"We need grants, funding and supports to return derelict and vacant spaces back into use while separately taxing vacant properties where the landowner refuses to renovate or speculates on property while families and first time buyers are left without hope of securing a home for their future."

The population of the Republic of Ireland increased by 7.6% in the six years between 2016 and 2022, the preliminary results of Census 2022 have revealed.

This brought the numbers living in the State to 5,123,536 people on census night last April

Cormac Halpin, senior statistician in the Census Division, said: “It is the highest population recorded in a census since 1841.

"There were 2,593,600 females and 2,529,936 males recorded, which is an increase of 7.7% and 7.5% respectively.

"The population increase of 361,671 was made up of a natural increase (births minus deaths) of 171,338 and estimated net inward migration (population change minus natural increase) of 190,333."

The counties recording the highest population growth were in Leinster.

Longford grew by more than 14%, with Meath, Kildare, and Fingal, also growing strongly.

In contrast to Census 2016, when three counties (Mayo, Sligo, and Donegal) had a fall in their population, the preliminary results show that the population of every county has increased since 2016.

In Leinster, 10 of the 12 counties showed a higher percentage increase than the national average, with Offaly (+6.0%), and Kilkenny (+4.5%), being lower.

In Munster, Waterford (+9.4%) had a higher percentage increase than that of the State overall.

Both Leitrim (+9.5%) and Roscommon (+8.4%) showed a higher percentage increase than the national rate, while Cavan, Donegal, or Monaghan did not.”

Mr. Halpin stated that the preliminary results also provide initial figures on the country’s housing stock.

“The preliminary results show that the total housing stock on April 3, 2022, was 2,124,590, an increase of 6.0% on the 2016 figure.

"There were 16,560 fewer vacant dwellings (-9.0%) in 2022 compared to 2016. This does not include holiday homes, of which there were 66,135, compared with 62,148 in 2016."

Mr. Halpin added: "The results provide valuable initial insights into how our population and housing situation is changing and developing since Census 2016.

"We are busy working on the completed census forms and look forward to begin sharing the full set of detailed results from April next year.”