Cork City’s Local Economic and Community Plan 2024 - 2029
Profile of Cork City Cork City has a population of 224,004 21 and ambitious growth targets over the next 20 years. It is an emerging international centre and a national driver of economic and population growth. Cork City is a diverse city. It is a twin-university and maritime city with:
Population density radiates from the city centre, focusing along a north-south line (See Figure 5.3.1).
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A vibrant city centre
Legend population density (persons per km 2 ) (Number)
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Thriving neighbourhoods and urban towns
<2000 2000 - 4000 4000 - 8000 8000-12000 >12000
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A rich hinterland
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A rich range of natural and built heritage
Figure 5.3.1: Population density in the Cork City Area (source: CSO population density and area size 2022).
Cork City has significant potential for sustainable growth and has the necessary human, economic and environmental assets to realise its full potential. Population The newest Census, 2022, estimates Ireland’s population to be 5.01 million 22 . This is the first time the national population has risen above five million since the 1851 census, when the comparable population was 5.11 million. This census also puts Cork City’s population at 224,004 people which is an increase of 6.2% since the last census in 2016. Looking at the long-term 10-year trend 23 , Cork City’s population has grown by 11.8% in the last two census periods combined.
Age Distribution and Dependency In comparison with national age distribution, Cork City has a lower number of children under 19 . Cork City has an above average number of young adults in employment age (20-40 years) and a slightly higher percentage of those over 80 years. This results in an age dependency ratio 24 of 45.3% – a little less than half (53.2% nationally). Areas in the city with a higher share of people aged between 20-40 years include the student population around the UCC area and the city centre. Mature suburbs have the older population range (Montenotte, Bishopstown) and coincide with the lower share of households with children. Comparative Age Distribution Cork City
In that time, there was:
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Accelerated city centre growth
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Strong growth in urban towns and their hinterlands Growth in the North-West Suburbs that has stalled in the last Census Period A small decline in the North-East Suburbs
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Figure 5.3.2: The Age distribution of Cork City’s population compared to the National Distribution.
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