Rivermeade is a semi-rural residential estate located northwest of Swords in County Dublin, comprising around 176 houses built in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Set amidst peaceful countryside with agricultural lands and St. Margaret's Golf Course nearby, it offers a blend of quiet village living with convenient access to Dublin city and Swords' amenities. The estate is anchored by Mary Queen of Ireland National School and serves as a tight-knit community within Dublin's commuter belt.
Overview
CSO Census 2022 · Small Area Population Statistics
Population
521
Census 2022
Owner occupied
62.0%
National: 65.9%
Crime rate per 1,000
44.4
National avg: 54.1
With a population of 521 residents, Rivermeade is a small, established neighbourhood where home ownership is strong at 62% and private renting is minimal at just 1.8%, suggesting a stable, settled community. The crime rate of 44.4 per 1,000 is notably lower than the national average of 54.1, making it a relatively safe area.
Age Profile
CSO Census 2022 · Table 1 population by age
Age distribution
Rivermeade vs national average (%)
Rivermeade
National
The community skews older than the national average, with 18.8% aged over 65 compared to 15.1% nationally, and a notably lower proportion of children under 14 at 16.7%, indicating an established neighbourhood with many long-term residents and retirees.
Under 14
16.7%
National: 19.7%
65 and over
18.8%
National: 15.1%
Male / Female
49.3% / 50.7%
National: 49.4% / 50.6%
Economic Status
CSO Census 2022 · Table 8 principal economic status (aged 15+)
Economic status
Rivermeade vs National (%)
Rivermeade
National
vs national average
At work
Retired
Student
Looking after home/family
Employment levels are slightly below the national average at 48.8%, but this is offset by a higher-than-average retirement rate of 19.4%, reflecting the area's appeal to older residents; work-from-home rates are also lower at 5.7%, suggesting most working residents commute out.
Third Level Education
CSO Census 2022 · Table 10 highest level of education completed
vs national average
Third level education
Third-level education attainment at 12.9% is significantly below the national average of 39.2%, indicating the area attracts residents with lower formal educational qualifications.
Crime & Safety
CSO Recorded Crime Statistics · Garda subdistrict level · 2024
Crime rate per 1,000
44.4
National avg: 54.1
vs national average
Near the national average
2024 recorded crime
3-year avg rate
44.1
Per 1,000 · 2022–2024
Crime & safety: The Swords Garda subdistrict records a crime rate of 44.4 per 1,000, broadly in line with the national average of 54.06.
Crime rate is based on recorded incidents in the Swords Garda subdistrict (population 66,775), which covers Rivermeade and surrounding areas. Data: CSO Recorded Crime Statistics.
Commuting
CSO Census 2022 · Table 11 departure times & travel mode
Departure time for work / school
Rivermeade vs National (%)
Rivermeade
National
How people travel to work
Rivermeade vs National (%)
Rivermeade
National
vs national average
Work from home
Public transport
Car / van
Rivermeade is decidedly car-dependent, with 68.4% of workers driving to work compared to the national average of 62.4%, and 16.4% having no car access. However, the area benefits from regular Dublin Bus services connecting to Swords and Dublin City Centre, and strong motorway connectivity via the M1 and M50, making commuting to Dublin feasible for those who need it.
Nationality & Ethnicity
CSO Census 2022 · Table 2 nationality and ethnicity
Citizenship / nationality
Rivermeade vs National (%)
Rivermeade
National
Ethnicity
Rivermeade vs National (%)
Rivermeade
National
vs national average
Irish citizen
White Irish ethnicity
Religion
CSO Census 2022 · Table 4 religion
Religion
Rivermeade vs National (%)
Rivermeade
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
0.6%
National: 4.11%
vs national average
Can speak Irish
Daily outside school
The name 'Rivermeade' reflects the area's landscape heritage—'meade' derives from the Irish word for meadow, suggesting the site was historically open grassland, likely near the River Ward which flows through the locality. This English-language naming reflects the area's more recent suburban development rather than ancient Irish settlement, though the underlying geography of riverside meadows shaped its character for centuries before modern housing arrived.
Housing & Tenure
CSO Census 2022 · Table 6 type of occupancy and accommodation
Owner occupied
62.0%
National: 65.9%
Private renting
1.8%
National: 18.0%
Social housing
30.4%
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
The housing stock is exclusively houses rather than apartments or flats, with 62% owner-occupied and virtually no private rental market, creating a neighbourhood of homeowners rather than transient renters.
Health
CSO Census 2022 · Table 12 self-reported general health
Good or very good health
76.4%
National: 82.9%
Fair health
14.4%
National: 8.6%
Bad or very bad health
3.8%
National: 1.7%
Smokers
19.0%
National: 17.03%
Self-reported health
Rivermeade vs National (%)
Rivermeade
National
Health outcomes are slightly below the national average at 76.4% reporting good or very good health compared to 82.9% nationally, though still indicating a generally healthy community.