Ballymore is a picturesque rural village in the heart of County Westmeath, nestled in rolling countryside between the larger towns of Athlone and Mullingar. Known for its historic charm—including the nearby Hill of Uisneach and 12th-century castle ruins—it offers a tranquil, agricultural setting with strong community roots and family-oriented living. The village combines scenic drumlins, proximity to the Royal Canal, and lush pastures that define the quiet, countryside character of this part of Ireland.
Overview
CSO Census 2022 · Small Area Population Statistics
Population
478
Census 2022
Owner occupied
62.7%
National: 65.9%
Crime rate per 1,000
9.8
National avg: 54.1
With a population of 478, Ballymore is a small, tight-knit community where owner-occupation is strong at 62.7% and private renting is notably low at 11.2%, reflecting a settled, family-focused population. The crime rate of 9.8 per 1,000 is exceptionally low—less than one-fifth the national average—making this one of Ireland's safest rural villages.
Age Profile
CSO Census 2022 · Table 1 population by age
Age distribution
Ballymore vs national average (%)
Ballymore
National
The community skews younger than the national average, with over a quarter of residents under 14, suggesting Ballymore is an attractive place for families raising children.
Under 14
25.3%
National: 19.7%
65 and over
13.0%
National: 15.1%
Male / Female
50.2% / 49.8%
National: 49.4% / 50.6%
Economic Status
CSO Census 2022 · Table 8 principal economic status (aged 15+)
Economic status
Ballymore vs National (%)
Ballymore
National
vs national average
At work
Retired
Student
Looking after home/family
Employment is steady at 55.2%, though the area is distinctly car-dependent with 89.3% of workers driving—reflecting its rural location—and only 6.1% working from home, indicating most residents commute to nearby employment centres.
Third Level Education
CSO Census 2022 · Table 10 highest level of education completed
vs national average
Third level education
Third-level education attainment at 28.5% is notably below the national average of 39.2%, suggesting a community with more traditional, practical skill-based backgrounds rather than university-educated professionals.
Crime & Safety
CSO Recorded Crime Statistics · Garda subdistrict level · 2024
Crime rate per 1,000
9.8
National avg: 54.1
vs national average
82% below national average
2024 recorded crime
3-year avg rate
7.3
Per 1,000 · 2022–2024
Lower than average crime: The Ballymore Garda subdistrict, which covers Ballymore, records a crime rate of 9.8 per 1,000 — 82% below the national average of 54.06.
Crime rate is based on recorded incidents in the Ballymore Garda subdistrict (population 4,366), which covers Ballymore and surrounding areas. Data: CSO Recorded Crime Statistics.
Commuting
CSO Census 2022 · Table 11 departure times & travel mode
Departure time for work / school
Ballymore vs National (%)
Ballymore
National
How people travel to work
Ballymore vs National (%)
Ballymore
National
vs national average
Work from home
Public transport
Car / van
This is emphatically a car-dependent area: 89.3% of workers drive to work compared to just 0.5% using public transport, reflecting Ballymore's rural location far from Dublin or major transit corridors. If you don't drive or prefer public transport, this wouldn't be the right fit.
Nationality & Ethnicity
CSO Census 2022 · Table 2 nationality and ethnicity
Citizenship / nationality
Ballymore vs National (%)
Ballymore
National
Ethnicity
Ballymore vs National (%)
Ballymore
National
vs national average
Irish citizen
White Irish ethnicity
Religion
CSO Census 2022 · Table 4 religion
Religion
Ballymore vs National (%)
Ballymore
National
vs national average
Catholic
No religion
Irish Language
CSO Census 2022 · Table 3 Irish speakers aged 3 and over
Can speak Irish
37.3%
National: 39.83%
Speak Irish daily outside school
—%
National: 4.11%
vs national average
Can speak Irish
Daily outside school
Ballymore derives from the Irish 'An Baile Mór', meaning 'big town'—a name that speaks to its historical importance as a medieval borough, though it is now a modest village. The name reflects the area's deep Irish heritage and its significance in medieval times as a centre of settlement and governance in the region.
Housing & Tenure
CSO Census 2022 · Table 6 type of occupancy and accommodation
Owner occupied
62.7%
National: 65.9%
Private renting
11.2%
National: 18.0%
Social housing
20.1%
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 almost exclusively detached homes and traditional rural properties, with owner-occupation dominant and virtually no apartments or flats—this is a village of family houses and farmsteads, not urban-style housing.
Health
CSO Census 2022 · Table 12 self-reported general health
Good or very good health
86.6%
National: 82.9%
Fair health
9.2%
National: 8.6%
Bad or very bad health
1.7%
National: 1.7%
Smokers
12.8%
National: 17.03%
Self-reported health
Ballymore vs National (%)
Ballymore
National
Residents report excellent health outcomes, with 86.6% in good or very good health, slightly above the national average, and the area's strong Catholic identity (87.4%) and low non-religious population (7.1%) reflect traditional Irish rural values.