Ballybrack is a peaceful, established suburban village in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, nestled between the Dublin Mountains and the coast, known for its quiet residential streets, local amenities like two cosy pubs, a post office, café, and petrol station, and the fascinating Neolithic cromlech dolmen tucked right in the middle of a housing estate on Ballybrack-Shanganagh Road. It's a place where families and retirees enjoy a strong sense of community amid green spaces and hilltop views, feeling worlds away from the city buzz yet just a short hop from Dún Laoghaire's harbour. The character is welcoming and unpretentious, with a mix of longstanding locals who cherish its low-key charm and ancient heritage.
Overview
CSO Census 2022 · Small Area Population Statistics
Population
2,872
Census 2022
Owner occupied
87.1%
National: 65.9%
Crime rate per 1,000
26.9
National avg: 54.1
With a small, tight-knit population of just 2,872, Ballybrack feels like a safe haven boasting an impressive 87.1% home ownership rate—well above the national average—and a very low crime rate of 26.9 per 1,000 compared to Ireland's 54.1, suggesting a stable, family-oriented suburb where people invest in their community and look out for each other.
Age Profile
CSO Census 2022 · Table 1 population by age
Age distribution
Ballybrack vs national average (%)
Ballybrack
National
The age profile skews towards a mature community, with 25.8% over 65 (higher than the national 15.1%) and fewer young children at 16.4% under 14, painting a picture of settled families and active retirees enjoying a slower pace of life.
Under 14
16.4%
National: 19.7%
65 and over
25.8%
National: 15.1%
Male / Female
47.8% / 52.2%
National: 49.4% / 50.6%
Economic Status
CSO Census 2022 · Table 8 principal economic status (aged 15+)
Economic status
Ballybrack vs National (%)
Ballybrack
National
vs national average
At work
Retired
Student
Looking after home/family
Ballybrack has a balanced economic vibe with nearly half the population at work, a higher-than-average 25.9% retired, and 14.2% working from home, indicating a mix of professionals embracing flexible setups alongside those winding down comfortably.
Third Level Education
CSO Census 2022 · Table 10 highest level of education completed
vs national average
Third level education
At 40.3% with third-level education—slightly edging the national average—this suggests a well-educated populace of thoughtful professionals and families who value learning and likely contribute to a cultured, informed community atmosphere.
Crime & Safety
CSO Recorded Crime Statistics · Garda subdistrict level · 2024
Crime rate per 1,000
26.9
National avg: 54.1
vs national average
50% below national average
2024 recorded crime
3-year avg rate
24.0
Per 1,000 · 2022–2024
Lower than average crime: The Cabinteely Garda subdistrict, which covers Ballybrack, records a crime rate of 26.9 per 1,000 — 50% below the national average of 54.06.
Crime rate is based on recorded incidents in the Cabinteely Garda subdistrict (population 46,548), which covers Ballybrack and surrounding areas. Data: CSO Recorded Crime Statistics.
Commuting
CSO Census 2022 · Table 11 departure times & travel mode
Departure time for work / school
Ballybrack vs National (%)
Ballybrack
National
How people travel to work
Ballybrack vs National (%)
Ballybrack
National
vs national average
Work from home
Public transport
Car / van
While most folks drive to work at 58.8%, there's strong public transport use at 16.8%—double the national average—thanks to handy bus links towards Dublin and Dún Laoghaire, making it less car-dependent than many suburbs; only 9.6% have no car, so getting around is straightforward whether you're behind the wheel or on the bus.
Nationality & Ethnicity
CSO Census 2022 · Table 2 nationality and ethnicity
Citizenship / nationality
Ballybrack vs National (%)
Ballybrack
National
Ethnicity
Ballybrack vs National (%)
Ballybrack
National
vs national average
Irish citizen
White Irish ethnicity
Religion
CSO Census 2022 · Table 4 religion
Religion
Ballybrack vs National (%)
Ballybrack
National
vs national average
Catholic
No religion
Irish Language
CSO Census 2022 · Table 3 Irish speakers aged 3 and over
Can speak Irish
38.5%
National: 39.83%
Speak Irish daily outside school
1.5%
National: 4.11%
vs national average
Can speak Irish
Daily outside school
Ballybrack comes from the Irish 'Baile Breac', meaning 'speckled townland' or 'spotted homestead', likely referring to the varied, rocky landscape of hills and fields in this hilly part of Rathdown. This nods to its ancient rural roots, evident today in Neolithic monuments like the local cromlech, linking modern residents to thousands of years of layered history on these granite-strewn slopes.
Housing & Tenure
CSO Census 2022 · Table 6 type of occupancy and accommodation
Owner occupied
87.1%
National: 65.9%
Private renting
3.6%
National: 18.0%
Social housing
6.6%
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
Dominantly owner-occupied at 87.1% with minimal private renting at 3.6% and almost no flats at 0.2%, Ballybrack is characterised by family homes and houses in a stable, low-turnover housing market that fosters deep roots.
Health
CSO Census 2022 · Table 12 self-reported general health
Good or very good health
86.6%
National: 82.9%
Fair health
9.8%
National: 8.6%
Bad or very bad health
2.4%
National: 1.7%
Smokers
12.3%
National: 17.03%
Self-reported health
Ballybrack vs National (%)
Ballybrack
National
An impressive 86.6% report good or very good health—above the national 82.9%—hinting at a healthy, active lifestyle supported by the area's fresh hill air, walks, and contented community vibe.