Wicklow's Population Soars by 12,000

The number of people living in the Garden County rose by 12,036 people between 1996 and 2002, according to preliminary census data released yesterday. The 11.7% increase brings the total population of county Wicklow to 114,719 people, up from 102,683

Wicklow Town has grown by 591 people

when the last census was taken in 1996.

However the population increase, which is in line with increasing population accross Ireland, is uneveningly reflected accross the county. Parts of Bray, the villages of Kilbride and Shillelagh and several townlands actually saw a decline in population, but the vast majority of both urban and rural districts saw increases.

The most dramatic population growth was in the north of the county where development pressures from an ever-expanding Dublin are most pronounced. Burgage, near Blessington, and part of Kilmacanoge experienced a phenomonal 57% growth with Enniskerry growing by over 32%.

The new census figures will be carefully studied by local authority officials anxious to see where development pressures are greatest in the county. Meanwhile the Wicklow Planning Alliance will be looking to see if social and infrastructural development is keeping up with population growth.

Arklow's population increased by 1,444 people to 9,963 while Wicklow town saw it's population increase by 591 to 7,007. Bray's population increased by 963 to 26,215.

Full details of the preliminary census data for county Wicklow is available in Excel format here.