Population of Mayo between Census static but main towns growing

monument

The population of Mayo was effective static between the 2011 and 2016 Censuses -- -0.2% but that's effectively no change. The larger towns however have increased in population.

The total town populations are defined as the legal town boundary plus the town "environs" (notable development close to the boundary) -- this isn't included in the preliminary results released today, but the next best thing is the Electoral Divisions around the towns and, so, I've posted those below.

Note: What's called "Rural" here is historic rural areas which now include a mix of actual rural areas and large housing estates and string developments along roads out of towns etc.

Unscientifically combining the urban and rural you get something like this

• Castlebar 1.7%
• Ballina 2.425%
• Westport 2.4%

If this is right, Ballina is again outpacing Castlebar -- the county development plan projections need correcting.

This map shows the percentage change for the county (and beyond) -- it's worth looking at the interactive map to check any amounts, because a large percent could be a small or large actual figure depending on the area:



The vacant housing rate gives a picture of the focus around the main towns:



Census Preliminary Results 2016: Mayo

Electoral Division:Ballina Urban
Population 4,136
Males 2,067
Females 2,069
Actual change 115
% change 2.9

Electoral Division: Ardnaree South Urban (ie urban Ballina west of the River Moy)
Population 2,417
Males 1,131
Females 1,286
Actual change -38
% change -1.5

Electoral Division: Ballina Rural
Population 2,991
Males 1,453
Females 1,538
Actual change 86
% change 3.0

Electoral Division: Ardnaree South Rural (ie Ballina rural west of the River Moy)
Population 3,083
Males 1,534
Females 1,549
Actual change 155
% change 5.3


Electoral Division: Castlebar Urban
Population 6,162
Males 2,984
Females 3,178
Actual change 113
% change 1.9

Electoral Division: Castlebar Rural
Population 7,334
Males 3,507
Females 3,827
Actual change 125
% change 1.7

Electoral Division: Westport Urban
Population 5,894
Males 2,784
Females 3,110
Actual change 351
% change 6.3

Electoral Division: Westport Rural
Population 1,516
Males 733
Females 783
Actual change -61
% change -3.9

The data via the map shows Claremorris as growing by 500 people but that looks to be an error in their system or (unlikely but maybe) something else like a large event on Census night?

mayo.mick

monument wrote: »

The population of Mayo was effective static between the 2011 and 2016 Censuses -- -0.2% but that's effectively no change. The larger towns however have increased in population.

The total town populations are defined as the legal town boundary plus the town "environs" (notable development close to the boundary) -- this isn't included in the preliminary results released today, but the next best thing is the Electoral Divisions around the towns and, so, I've posted those below.

Note: What's called "Rural" here is historic rural areas which now include a mix of actual rural areas and large housing estates and string developments along roads out of towns etc.

Unscientifically combining the urban and rural you get something like this

• Castlebar 1.7%
• Ballina 2.425%
• Westport 2.4%

If this is right, Ballina is again outpacing Castlebar -- the county development plan projections need correcting.

This map shows the percentage change for the county (and beyond) -- it's worth looking at the interactive map to check any amounts, because a large percent could be a small or large actual figure depending on the area:



The vacant housing rate gives a picture of the focus around the main towns:



Census Preliminary Results 2016: Mayo

Electoral Division:Ballina Urban
Population 4,136
Males 2,067
Females 2,069
Actual change 115
% change 2.9

Electoral Division: Ardnaree South Urban (ie urban Ballina west of the River Moy)
Population 2,417
Males 1,131
Females 1,286
Actual change -38
% change -1.5

Electoral Division: Ballina Rural
Population 2,991
Males 1,453
Females 1,538
Actual change 86
% change 3.0

Electoral Division: Ardnaree South Rural (ie Ballina rural west of the River Moy)
Population 3,083
Males 1,534
Females 1,549
Actual change 155
% change 5.3


Electoral Division: Castlebar Urban
Population 6,162
Males 2,984
Females 3,178
Actual change 113
% change 1.9

Electoral Division: Castlebar Rural
Population 7,334
Males 3,507
Females 3,827
Actual change 125
% change 1.7

Electoral Division: Westport Urban
Population 5,894
Males 2,784
Females 3,110
Actual change 351
% change 6.3

Electoral Division: Westport Rural
Population 1,516
Males 733
Females 783
Actual change -61
% change -3.9

The data via the map shows Claremorris as growing by 500 people but that looks to be an error in their system or (unlikely but maybe) something else like a large event on Census night?

Nathan Carter playing in the McWilliam?

nuac

I believe the Census always minimises the population of Mayo and maximises that other counties with thirdlevel students.

The census is always on a Sunday night. Hundreds of students leave Mayo on Sunday nights for Galway, Dubln etc their universities etc.

The census should be taken on a Saturday night. That would give a more accurate account of the population.

Instead we now see declining population in Mayo, and a skewed growth of Galway's population.

The powers-that-be in Galway are well aware of that. I recall one census weekend years ago when various faculties in UCG set tests or exams on the Monday following census night

ongarboy

nuac wrote: »

I believe the Census always minimises the population of Mayo and maximises that other counties with thirdlevel students.

The census is always on a Sunday night. Hundreds of students leave Mayo on Sunday nights for Galway, Dubln etc their universities etc.

The census should be taken on a Saturday night. That would give a more accurate account of the population.

Instead we now see declining population in Mayo, and a skewed growth of Galway's population.

The powers-that-be in Galway are well aware of that. I recall one census weekend years ago when various faculties in UCG set tests or exams on the Monday following census night

Hmm, I'm not sure that Saturday night counting would enhance accuracy. Saturday night is the night most people are somewhere else for leisure activities. Weekend breaks, attending weddings and staying over, visiting a friend in a neighbouring town and perhaps staying over...even one night stands etc. Results would be majorly skewed using that night as the ruling is where you are present on the night which is why hotel guests are counted that way.

If you are a student and are studying in another town/city/county for 9 months of the year for up to 4 years and renting accommodation in that place, then for all intents and purposes you are a resident of that town/city at that point in time. I studied in Limerick for 4 years and am not from that county but view that city as the place I lived in for 4 years for the duration of my studies.

monument

monument wrote: »

The data via the map shows Claremorris as growing by 500 people but that looks to be an error in their system or (unlikely but maybe) something else like a large event on Census night?

Here's a reply from the CSO:

Figure for Claremorris is correct. Figures released are preliminary with the definitive data due to be released in 2017.

FYI (the figure release for the previous census (2011) showed an increase of 817 for the same ED over the previous 5 year period 2006-2011).

seligehgit

It's pretty sad the drops in the populations of counties Mayo,Sligo and Donegal and the huge discrepancy in the population growth rates between the western seaboard counties and the eastern half of the country.

Years of neglect by successive governments,it should be a priority to prioritise investment and IDA visits in these regions.

learn_more

seligehgit wrote: »

It's pretty sad the drops in the populations of counties Mayo,Sligo and Donegal and the huge discrepancy in the population growth rates between the western seaboard counties and the eastern half of the country.

Years of neglect by successive governments,it should be a priority to prioritise investment and IDA visits in these regions.

For me it would be the horrendous weather we get here and not anything to do with jobs. That and having fcuk all to do. Back to the east coast soon where I was much happier and healthier.

Xenji

seligehgit wrote: »

It's pretty sad the drops in the populations of counties Mayo,Sligo and Donegal and the huge discrepancy in the population growth rates between the western seaboard counties and the eastern half of the country.

Years of neglect by successive governments,it should be a priority to prioritise investment and IDA visits in these regions.

Mayo had 3 IDA visits last year, while IDA related employment in the county had a net growth of just 49 jobs in the same period.