Ballybough is a gritty, authentic northside Dublin neighbourhood tucked between the River Tolka and Croke Park, the iconic home of Gaelic games that pulses with energy on match days. It's got that real working-class Dubliner vibe—tight-knit streets lined with terraced houses and modern flats, buzzing with families, young professionals, and a diverse crowd drawn to its unbeatable city access without the flash. Locals love the nearby Fairview Park for walks, the East Link Bridge views, and that unpretentious community spirit where everyone knows a good chipper or pub.
Overview
CSO Census 2022 · Small Area Population Statistics
Population
8,188
Census 2022
Owner occupied
24.5%
National: 65.9%
Crime rate per 1,000
81.5
National avg: 54.1
With a compact population of 8,188, Ballybough feels like a lively village in the heart of the city, but low home ownership at 24.5% and high renting at 44.4% point to a transient, renter-friendly spot popular with younger folks. The crime rate of 81.5 per 1,000 is above the national average, so it's got some rough edges, but many residents embrace its raw, genuine character.
Age Profile
CSO Census 2022 · Table 1 population by age
Age distribution
Ballybough vs national average (%)
Ballybough
National
Fewer kids under 14 at 11.4% and seniors over 65 at 9.7% mean Ballybough skews towards working-age adults, creating a youthful, energetic community vibe.
Under 14
11.4%
National: 19.7%
65 and over
9.7%
National: 15.1%
Male / Female
51.1% / 48.9%
National: 49.4% / 50.6%
Economic Status
CSO Census 2022 · Table 8 principal economic status (aged 15+)
Economic status
Ballybough vs National (%)
Ballybough
National
vs national average
At work
Retired
Student
Looking after home/family
A solid 60.6% at work rate beats the national average, with more folks employed and a decent 9.5% working from home, painting a picture of a hardworking area adapting to modern jobs.
Third Level Education
CSO Census 2022 · Table 10 highest level of education completed
vs national average
Third level education
Third-level education at 38.4% is right on par with the national 39.2%, suggesting a well-educated crowd of professionals and graduates who keep the local scene sharp and innovative.
Crime & Safety
CSO Recorded Crime Statistics · Garda subdistrict level · 2024
Crime rate per 1,000
81.5
National avg: 54.1
vs national average
51% above national average
2024 recorded crime
3-year avg rate
81.6
Per 1,000 · 2022–2024
Higher than average crime: The Fitzgibbon Street Garda subdistrict records a crime rate of 81.5 per 1,000 — 51% above the national average of 54.06. This is typical of busy urban or commercial areas where higher footfall drives more recorded incidents.
Crime rate is based on recorded incidents in the Fitzgibbon Street Garda subdistrict (population 29,226), which covers Ballybough and surrounding areas. Data: CSO Recorded Crime Statistics.
Commuting
CSO Census 2022 · Table 11 departure times & travel mode
Departure time for work / school
Ballybough vs National (%)
Ballybough
National
How people travel to work
Ballybough vs National (%)
Ballybough
National
vs national average
Work from home
Public transport
Car / van
This is no car-dependent suburb—50.6% have no car and just 15.7% drive to work, while a whopping 26.3% use public transport, thanks to its prime spot near the DART, buses, and proximity to the city centre. It's perfect for easy, green commuting.
Nationality & Ethnicity
CSO Census 2022 · Table 2 nationality and ethnicity
Citizenship / nationality
Ballybough vs National (%)
Ballybough
National
Ethnicity
Ballybough vs National (%)
Ballybough
National
vs national average
Irish citizen
White Irish ethnicity
Religion
CSO Census 2022 · Table 4 religion
Religion
Ballybough vs National (%)
Ballybough
National
vs national average
Catholic
No religion
Irish Language
CSO Census 2022 · Table 3 Irish speakers aged 3 and over
Can speak Irish
18.8%
National: 39.83%
Speak Irish daily outside school
0.8%
National: 4.11%
vs national average
Can speak Irish
Daily outside school
'Ballybough' comes from the Irish 'Baile na Gabhla' or more precisely 'Baile Bhó', meaning 'town of the cow' or 'place of the cow-town', hinting at its rural past with grazing lands along the marshy Tolka River before Dublin expanded. This nod to livestock and wetlands evokes the area's transformation from pastoral fields to a vibrant inner-city hub.
Housing & Tenure
CSO Census 2022 · Table 6 type of occupancy and accommodation
Owner occupied
24.5%
National: 65.9%
Private renting
44.4%
National: 18.0%
Social housing
23.5%
National: 10.0%
Ownership breakdown
Owned with mortgage
Owned outright
Dwelling type
House/Bungalow
Flat/Apartment
Cars per household
No car
Two or more cars
Expect a renter's paradise with 44.4% private renting and 54% in flats or apartments versus traditional houses, and ownership a modest 24.5%, ideal for those not ready to buy but wanting urban buzz.
Health
CSO Census 2022 · Table 12 self-reported general health
Good or very good health
72.3%
National: 82.9%
Fair health
9.0%
National: 8.6%
Bad or very bad health
2.9%
National: 1.7%
Smokers
21.8%
National: 17.03%
Self-reported health
Ballybough vs National (%)
Ballybough
National
Good or very good health at 72.3% is a bit below the national 82.9%, possibly reflecting the urban hustle, but residents stay active with nearby parks and sports culture around Croke Park.
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