Wood Quay is Dublin's historic Viking heart, a riverside neighbourhood in the city centre that sits at the intersection of medieval heritage and modern urban living. Today it's a vibrant, densely populated area dominated by apartment living, home to Dublin City Council's offices and surrounded by cultural landmarks like Christchurch Cathedral. The neighbourhood pulses with the energy of young professionals and students, reflecting its position as one of Dublin's most cosmopolitan and diverse communities.
Overview
CSO Census 2022 · Small Area Population Statistics
Population
6,778
Census 2022
Owner occupied
22.4%
National: 65.9%
Crime rate per 1,000
141.7
National avg: 54.1
With a population of 6,778, Wood Quay is a compact, intensely urban neighbourhood where only 22.4% of homes are owner-occupied — far below the national average — and 40.9% are privately rented, making it a renters' neighbourhood through and through. The crime rate of 141.7 per 1,000 is notably higher than the national average of 54.1, reflecting the challenges of a busy city-centre location with high foot traffic and nightlife.
Age Profile
CSO Census 2022 · Table 1 population by age
Age distribution
Wood Quay vs national average (%)
Wood Quay
National
The neighbourhood skews younger, with just 12.6% under 14 and 12.8% over 65, suggesting a community of working-age adults rather than families or retirees.
Under 14
12.6%
National: 19.7%
65 and over
12.8%
National: 15.1%
Male / Female
52.7% / 47.3%
National: 49.4% / 50.6%
Economic Status
CSO Census 2022 · Table 8 principal economic status (aged 15+)
Economic status
Wood Quay vs National (%)
Wood Quay
National
vs national average
At work
Retired
Student
Looking after home/family
Employment is strong at 61.4% — above the national average — with people actively engaged in work, though notably fewer drive to work (14.6%) compared to the national norm, reflecting the urban setting and limited parking.
Third Level Education
CSO Census 2022 · Table 10 highest level of education completed
vs national average
Third level education
Wood Quay has notably high third-level education attainment at 44.6%, well above the national average of 39.2%, indicating a well-educated, professional population.
Crime & Safety
CSO Recorded Crime Statistics · Garda subdistrict level · 2024
Crime rate per 1,000
141.7
National avg: 54.1
vs national average
162% above national average
2024 recorded crime
3-year avg rate
125.5
Per 1,000 · 2022–2024
Higher than average crime: The Kevin Street Garda subdistrict records a crime rate of 141.7 per 1,000 — 162% 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 Kevin Street Garda subdistrict (population 34,549), which covers Wood Quay and surrounding areas. Data: CSO Recorded Crime Statistics.
Commuting
CSO Census 2022 · Table 11 departure times & travel mode
Departure time for work / school
Wood Quay vs National (%)
Wood Quay
National
How people travel to work
Wood Quay vs National (%)
Wood Quay
National
vs national average
Work from home
Public transport
Car / van
This is emphatically not a car-dependent area: 46.5% of households have no car at all, compared to just 13.4% nationally, and 15% use public transport to work. The neighbourhood's city-centre location means most residents walk, cycle, or use Dublin's bus and tram networks to get around.
Nationality & Ethnicity
CSO Census 2022 · Table 2 nationality and ethnicity
Citizenship / nationality
Wood Quay vs National (%)
Wood Quay
National
Ethnicity
Wood Quay vs National (%)
Wood Quay
National
vs national average
Irish citizen
White Irish ethnicity
Religion
CSO Census 2022 · Table 4 religion
Religion
Wood Quay vs National (%)
Wood Quay
National
vs national average
Catholic
No religion
Irish Language
CSO Census 2022 · Table 3 Irish speakers aged 3 and over
Can speak Irish
22.7%
National: 39.83%
Speak Irish daily outside school
0.7%
National: 4.11%
vs national average
Can speak Irish
Daily outside school
Wood Quay's name comes from the Irish 'An Ché Adhmaid', meaning 'the wooden quay' — a direct reference to the Viking settlement that flourished here from the 9th century onwards. The name itself is a living reminder that you're standing on one of Dublin's oldest inhabited sites, where Norse traders and settlers first established a seasonal raiding camp that evolved into a prosperous medieval trading centre.
Housing & Tenure
CSO Census 2022 · Table 6 type of occupancy and accommodation
Owner occupied
22.4%
National: 65.9%
Private renting
40.9%
National: 18.0%
Social housing
25.7%
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
Housing is dominated by apartments and flats, which make up 63.1% of the housing stock — vastly higher than the national 13% — reflecting the dense, vertical development typical of Dublin's medieval core.
Health
CSO Census 2022 · Table 12 self-reported general health
Good or very good health
68.5%
National: 82.9%
Fair health
9.0%
National: 8.6%
Bad or very bad health
2.2%
National: 1.7%
Smokers
17.7%
National: 17.03%
Self-reported health
Wood Quay vs National (%)
Wood Quay
National
Health outcomes are notably lower than the national average, with 68.5% reporting good or very good health compared to 82.9% nationally, which may reflect the urban environment, higher stress levels, or the demographic profile of a city-centre neighbourhood.
Other areas in Dublin City
Arran QuayAshtownAyrfieldBallyboughBallygallBallymunBeaumontBotanicCabraCarnaChapelizodCherry OrchardClontarf EastClontarf WestCrumlinDeciesDrumcondra SouthDrumfinnEdenmoreFinglas NorthFinglas SouthGrace ParkHarmonstownInchicoreInns QuayKilmainhamKimmageKylemoreMansion HouseMerchants QuayMountjoyNorth CityNorth DockPembroke EastPembroke WestPhoenix ParkPriorswoodRahenyRathmines EastRathmines WestRotundaRoyal ExchangeSaint Kevin'sSouth DockUshersWalkinstownWhitehall