Living in Kilmainham: Key Stats & Insights

With a population of 10,240, Kilmainham is a compact, densely populated neighbourhood where the housing market looks quite different from the rest of Ireland — only 41.7% of homes are owner-occupied compared to the national average of 65.9%, reflecting a younger, more transient population. The crime rate of 137.4 per 1,000 residents is notably higher than the national average of 54.1, which is something to be aware of when considering the area.

Kilmainham skews younger than the national average, with fewer children (13.9% under 14) and significantly fewer retirees (12.0% over 65), suggesting a neighbourhood dominated by young adults and working-age professionals rather than families or older residents.

The area has a strong employment profile with 63.7% of residents at work — well above the national average of 56.1% — and notably lower retirement rates, indicating an economically active, career-focused population.

Kilmainham has above-average third-level education attainment at 44.1% compared to the national average of 39.2%, suggesting a well-educated population drawn to the area's cultural attractions and urban amenities.

This is emphatically not a car-dependent neighbourhood — only 28% drive to work versus 62.4% nationally, and a striking 33.5% of households have no car at all. Instead, 25.1% use public transport to commute, more than triple the national average, reflecting excellent connectivity via bus routes and proximity to Heuston station for rail access to Cork, Galway and Limerick.

Kilmainham derives from the Irish 'Cill Mhaighneann', meaning 'Church of Maignenn' — a reference to an early Christian saint and the area's deep historical roots in Irish religious and monastic life. The name itself anchors the neighbourhood's identity as a place of historical and cultural significance, from its medieval ecclesiastical origins through to its pivotal role in Ireland's struggle for independence.

The housing stock is dominated by apartments and flats (48.8% versus 13% nationally), with private renting accounting for 31% of homes compared to just 18% nationally, creating a neighbourhood of renters and apartment-dwellers rather than homeowners in traditional houses.

Health outcomes are slightly below the national average, with 74% reporting good or very good health compared to 82.9% nationally, and notably higher rates of no religion (25.2% versus 14.7%) alongside lower Catholic affiliation, reflecting a more secular, diverse population.