Pembroke East is a vibrant, affluent slice of Dublin's southside, encompassing lively Ballsbridge with its tree-lined avenues and rugby heartland at Lansdowne Road, elegant Sandymount by the sea, and the charming village feel of Donnybrook. It's known for its mix of grand Victorian terraces, leafy parks like Herbert Park, and a cosmopolitan buzz from embassies and high-end cafes. Professionals, families, and retirees flock here for the upscale yet welcoming vibe, right on the edge of the city centre.
Overview
CSO Census 2022 · Small Area Population Statistics
Population
22,340
Census 2022
Owner occupied
49.1%
National: 65.9%
Crime rate per 1,000
66.9
National avg: 54.1
With a population of 22,340, Pembroke East feels like a bustling urban village rather than a sprawling suburb, boasting a young professional renter-heavy scene at 35.2% private renting versus the national 18%—double the average—while owner-occupancy lags at 49.1%. The crime rate of 66.9 per 1,000 is a touch above the national 54.1, but it's mostly minor urban incidents in this lively spot, nothing that should scare off savvy city dwellers.
Age Profile
CSO Census 2022 · Table 1 population by age
Age distribution
Pembroke East vs national average (%)
Pembroke East
National
Fewer kids under 14 at 14.5% compared to 19.7% nationally, but a higher 18.1% over 65 versus 15.1%, paints a picture of a mature, settled community with active seniors mingling alongside working-age families.
Under 14
14.5%
National: 19.7%
65 and over
18.1%
National: 15.1%
Male / Female
47.1% / 52.9%
National: 49.4% / 50.6%
Economic Status
CSO Census 2022 · Table 8 principal economic status (aged 15+)
Economic status
Pembroke East vs National (%)
Pembroke East
National
vs national average
At work
Retired
Student
Looking after home/family
A strong 58.9% at work edges above the national 56.1%, with 15.2% working from home—well over the 11.3% average—signalling a prosperous, flexible professional crowd thriving in tech, finance, and creative fields.
Third Level Education
CSO Census 2022 · Table 10 highest level of education completed
vs national average
Third level education
An impressive 62.5% with third-level education dwarfs the national 39.2%, suggesting a highly skilled, ambitious neighbourhood full of innovators, academics, and global-minded folks.
Crime & Safety
CSO Recorded Crime Statistics · Garda subdistrict level · 2024
Crime rate per 1,000
66.9
National avg: 54.1
vs national average
24% above national average
2024 recorded crime
3-year avg rate
60.8
Per 1,000 · 2022–2024
Higher than average crime: The Irishtown Garda subdistrict records a crime rate of 66.9 per 1,000 — 24% 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 Irishtown Garda subdistrict (population 24,677), which covers Pembroke East and surrounding areas. Data: CSO Recorded Crime Statistics.
Commuting
CSO Census 2022 · Table 11 departure times & travel mode
Departure time for work / school
Pembroke East vs National (%)
Pembroke East
National
How people travel to work
Pembroke East vs National (%)
Pembroke East
National
vs national average
Work from home
Public transport
Car / van
Far from car-dependent, just 29.6% drive to work against a whopping national 62.4%, with 25.1% carless households double the average; instead, 14.4% zip by public transport (nearly double 7.9%) and many walk or cycle in this walkable haven near the DART line and city core.
Nationality & Ethnicity
CSO Census 2022 · Table 2 nationality and ethnicity
Citizenship / nationality
Pembroke East vs National (%)
Pembroke East
National
Ethnicity
Pembroke East vs National (%)
Pembroke East
National
vs national average
Irish citizen
White Irish ethnicity
Religion
CSO Census 2022 · Table 4 religion
Religion
Pembroke East vs National (%)
Pembroke East
National
vs national average
Catholic
No religion
Irish Language
CSO Census 2022 · Table 3 Irish speakers aged 3 and over
Can speak Irish
35.6%
National: 39.83%
Speak Irish daily outside school
0.9%
National: 4.11%
vs national average
Can speak Irish
Daily outside school
'Pembroke East' isn't Irish-derived—it's English, named after the vast Pembroke Estate owned by the Earl of Pembroke from the 1700s, which shaped this premium south Dublin land as the city boomed. The 'East' distinguishes it from Pembroke West, reflecting its historic division tied to aristocratic Anglo-Norman influence rather than Gaelic roots, underscoring the area's layered colonial past amid Ireland's landscape.
Housing & Tenure
CSO Census 2022 · Table 6 type of occupancy and accommodation
Owner occupied
49.1%
National: 65.9%
Private renting
35.2%
National: 18.0%
Social housing
10.0%
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
A renter's paradise at 35.2% private renting with 41.3% in flats or apartments—triple the national 13%—mixed with elegant owner-occupied Victorian houses at 49.1%, offering stylish options from chic pads to family homes.
Health
CSO Census 2022 · Table 12 self-reported general health
Good or very good health
82.6%
National: 82.9%
Fair health
7.4%
National: 8.6%
Bad or very bad health
1.8%
National: 1.7%
Smokers
11.8%
National: 17.03%
Self-reported health
Pembroke East vs National (%)
Pembroke East
National
Residents report good or very good health at 82.6%, mirroring the national 82.9%, hinting at a healthy, active lifestyle buoyed by seaside walks, parks, and that fresh Dublin air.
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