2   Demographic and Socio-Economic Trends

2.1   Population

Census 2011 records the population of County Kilkenny as 95,419 which is an increase of 7,861 over the population recorded in 2006[1].  This is a 9% population increase for the county over the period and compares well with the State which averaged an increase of 8%.

Kilkenny City (environs and borough area combined) recorded a population of 24,423 in 2011 which is an increase 2,244 (10.1%) over the population recorded in 2006.

Table 2.1 Recorded population 1996 - 2011
	1996	2002	2006	2011
Kilkenny County	75,336	80,399	87,558	95,419
Kilkenny City[2]	18,696	20,735	22,179	24,423

At a regional level Kilkenny County performed well compared to its neighbours, with County Wexford being the only county within the south east recording a higher percentage population increase.

Table 2.2  Recorded population in the South East region
	2006	2011	Percentage  change
Carlow	50,349	54,612	+ 8.5%
Kilkenny	87,558	95,419	+9%
South Tipperary	83,221	88,432	+6.3%
Waterford City	45,748	46,732	+2.2%
Waterford County	62,213	67,063	+7.8%
Wexford	131,749	145,320	+10.3%

 

2.1.1   Population Trends

Census 2011 shows that the country continued to undergo strong population growth, with an 8.2% increase in the population of the State from 2006.  The State has shown strong population growth since 1996 with increases in the region of 8% in each of the inter-censal periods.  Kilkenny County has reflected this trend also with growth rates of 6.7%, 8.9% and 9% within the inter-censal periods.

Migration into the state has fallen from the high levels between 2002 and 2006 when it averaged 45,000 per annum to about 25,000 p.a. between 2006 and 2011.  While this is a large fall in the number of immigrants the increase in immigrants over the period is still significant given the economic downturn since 2007.  Kilkenny has reflected this trend also with net migration of 3,895 (49% of total population increase) into the county between 2006 and 2011.  The corresponding figure for 2002 to 2006 was 4,986 (69% of total population increase). 

 

2.1.2   Population Change

2.1.2.1   Urban Areas

The major focus for expansion in population has been in the Environs of Kilkenny City and the Ferrybank area (Environs of Waterford City within County Kilkenny).  An increase of 2,244 persons was recorded in the Environs of Kilkenny City in the period 2006 to 2011 while the Ferrybank area (Waterford City Environs within County Kilkenny) recorded an increase of 1,322 persons over the same period.  Those two areas alone combined accounted for 44% of the total population increase within the County.

It is also significant to note that the Ferrybank area has consolidated itself as the second largest urban area within the County after Kilkenny City.  Its population has increased by 123% since 2002.

Table 2.3 Population of the District towns and Ferrybank
	2002	2006	2011
Callan	1,325	1,771	2,330
Castlecomer	1,482	1,531	1,456
Graiguenamanagh[3]	1,166	1,097	1,252
Thomastown	1,600	1,837	2,273
Ferrybank Area	2,142	3,465	4,787

 

This shows that Callan and Thomastown have performed well in terms of population increase since 2002 while Castlecomer and Graiguenamanagh have mixed performances showing both increases and decreases respectively in both census periods.

The population of the County within aggregate town areas as defined by the census has increased from 35.3% in 2006 to 37% in 2011. This shows that the proportion of the population living in urban areas[4] is increasing.

2.1.2.2   Rural Areas

Figure 2.1 shows the population change across all Electoral Divisions (EDs) in the county between 2006 and 2011.  There are 113 Electoral Divisions in the county and of these 12 experienced a decrease in population. The most significant of these was Castlecomer ED which experienced an actual decrease of 114 persons.

2.1.3   Household size

The changing nature of household patterns is an important consideration for the Plan.  In 2002 the average household size was 3.3.  In 2006 the average household size had decreased to 2.88.  The 2011 Census records an average of 2.8 people per household throughout the county (the state average is 2.7).  This shows a continuing trend towards the formation of smaller households.

Table 2.4  Average Household size (County Kilkenny)
	No. of households	Persons in  households	Average household size
2002	25,603	75,965	3.03
2006	29,651	84,973	2.88
2011	33,619	94,342	2.8

Source: CSO 2002, 2006, 2011

If we examine the urban areas of the County, a similar trend exists but the occupancy rate is lower.   For Kilkenny City and the Ferrybank area the average household size is 2.57.  This has implications for the amount of zoned land required in these settlements.

Table 2.5 Average Household size for aggregate town areas
	No. of households	Persons in  households	Average household size
2002	8,239	22,713	2.75
2006	11,355	29,536	2.6
2011	13,250	34,089	2.57

 

2.1.4   Population Forecasts

The population targets for the City & County are set by the South East Regional Planning Guidelines[5], which were adopted in 2010 for the period 2010 – 2022.  The targets set for the City and County are set out in Table 2.6 below.

Table 2.6 Regional Planning Guidelines population figures
	2010	2014	2016	2020	2022
Kilkenny County	96,872	102,689	105,598	109,802	111,903
Kilkenny City	24,000	25,200	25,800	27400	28,200
Ferrybank/Belview	4,000	4,667	5,000	6,000	6,500

The 2011 Census recorded an actual population figure of 95,419 for the County.  This figure for 2011 is lower than the baseline figure for the RPG’s targets set for 2010.  It is prudent then therefore that the figures for the population targets be adjusted to take account of the Census 2011 results.  Accordingly Table 2.7 below gives a population target using the RPG figures but adjusted to take account of the 2011 results.

Table 2.7 Adjusted Regional Planning Guidelines figures
	2011 Actual	2012	2014[6]	2016	2020	2022
Kilkenny County	95,419	96,873	99,781	105,598	109,802	111,903
Kilkenny City	24,423	24,723	25,323	25,800	27,400	28,200
Ferrybank/Belview	4,787[7]	4,953	5,287	5,412	6,412	6,500

 

The figures for 2020 are derived from applying the annual average increase predicted by the South East Regional Planning Guidelines  to the period between 2016 and 2020.

2.2   Housing Vacancy Rates

The 2011 Census recorded a vacancy rate of 11.9% for the County[8].  This rate has not decreased substantially since 2006.  The national average was recorded at 14.5%.  The vacancy rate within Kilkenny City was recorded at 11.3%.  The vacancy rates within the county since 1991 are indicated Table 2.8 below.  It can be seen that before 2006 the vacancy rate ranged between 6.4 and 7.7%.  There has been a significant increase in the vacancy rate since then.

Table 2.8: Vacancy rates in Co. Kilkenny 1991-2011
Year	1991	1996	2002	2006	2011
Vacancy rate	7.7%	6.4%	6.6%	12%	11.9%

Source: CSO, Profile 4, The Roof Over our heads, 2011

 

2.3   Socio - Economic profile

2.3.1   Kilkenny’s Economy

Kilkenny has developed a strong profile as a services centre with companies such as State Street, VHI, Banking 365, Connect Ireland and Taxback.com.  The city itself also acts as an administration centre for a number of state and semi-state agencies including the regional HQ of the Health & Safety Authority (HSA) and the Health Services Executive (HSE), the national HQ of the Patents Office, the Crafts Council of Ireland and The Heritage Council.

Kilkenny boasts a strong indigenous industry in sectors such as food and drink (e.g. Glanbia and artisan food producers) as well as the craft sector. The city has a high profile nationally and internationally as a centre for tourism, festivals, heritage and the arts. Infrastructural improvements such as the completion of the telecoms Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) around Kilkenny City and the opening of the M9 motorway has increased opportunities for inward  investment.

2.3.2   Employment

Employment in the county has declined in the period 2006 to 2011 in line with the recession in the World and European economies. The largest fall has been in the construction sector with manufacturing also showing significant losses.

Table 2.9: Occupation by Industry[9]
Industry	2006	2011
Agriculture, forestry and fishing	3,247	3,011
Building and construction	6,154	2,117
Manufacturing industries	5,472	4,482
Commerce and trade	9,218	8,761
Transport and communications	1,564	1,834
Public administration	1,968	2,238
Professional services	7,268	9,042
Other	6,048	5,400
Total	40,939	36,885

Source: CSO 2011, 2006

2.3.3   Broadband

Between 2006 and 2011 the county showed a strong increase in broadband accessibility.  The total number of houses with a broadband connection in 2006 was 3,919 with 14,283 housing having no internet connection.  By 2011, the corresponding figures were 19,818 with a broadband connection and 8,806 with no internet connection out of a total of 33,679 households[10].  This is a broadband penetration of 58.8% compared to just 13.2% in 2006.

2.3.4   Travel to Work

The travel modes used by people travelling to work, school or college in the county is set out below for 2006 and 2011.

Table 2.10: Mode of travel to work, school or college in 2006 and 2011
Year	On foot	Bicycle	Bus, mini bus or coach	Train	Motorcycle or scoot- er	Car driver	Car passenger	Other	Not stated	Total
2006	7223	891	5,568	175	204	24,974	11,094	7,374	692	58,195
2011	7229	751	4,464	221	108	25,481	11,942	6,283	1,540	58,019

 

The overwhelming majority use the private car as a means of transport with 61.9% of the total numbers travelling using the car either as a passenger or as driver in 2006, and this had increased to 64.5% in 2011.  

2.3.5   Unemployment

Unemployment in the county has increased significantly since the adoption of the last plan.  This has been due to the very severe economic downturn that has affected the economy.  The unemployment rates are as follows:

Table 2.11   Unemployment rates in County Kilkenny
Year	Unemployed Persons	% Rate
2006	3,233	7.5%
2011	8,992	19.4%

Source: CSO, This is Ireland Table 2A, 2011

 

The labour force within the County in 2006 was 43,042 and this had increased to 46,265 in 2011[11].

2.4   Physical Development Trends

The expansion of the major urban centres has continued within the County.  It is notable that Kilkenny City is performing well as a Hub for the region, with its population expanding at a rate slightly above the national average.

Ferrybank also, as part of the Waterford Gateway, is growing significantly and is consolidating itself as the second largest urban area within county.  Physical infrastructure has been delivered and improved during the 2008 – 2014 plan period, including:

• the extension of the ring road around Kilkenny City from the Carlow Road to the Athy/Castlecomer road (N77),
• the opening of the M9 motorway,
• the N25 Waterford bypass,
• the waste water treatment plant at Belview Port in conjunction with Waterford City Council, and
• the delivery of substantial water supply to Belview Port in conjunction with the IDA.
• The Central Access Scheme for the city has been approved by An Bord Pleanála and it is anticipated that that scheme will be constructed during the life-time of the plan.

Substantial investment is taking place at Belview as a result of the infrastructural improvements, including the construction of a new milk processing plant by Glanbia.  As a result of that investment, a new natural gas supply will also be delivered in conjunction with the Glanbia development.

In Kilkenny City a substantial investment in tourism development has been approved through the development of the Medieval Mile project which will see investment in the public realm between Kilkenny Castle and St Canice’s Cathedral, the restoration of St Mary’s hall, the construction of a new Butler Gallery at Evan’s Home and the further development of the linear walk along the River Nore with the creation of a great garden in the city centre.

Continued progress has taken place in the provision of services through the Water Services Investment programme. This investment is set to continue through the 2014 to 2020 development plan with the construction of water and waste water schemes throughout the county.

2.5   Key issues for Plan

The key issues to be addressed in this Plan are as follows:

• Economic recovery; positioning of the county to avail of any economic upturn
• Underpinning the settlement hierarchy within the county and compliance with the requirements of the Regional Planning Guidelines through the core strategy.
• Renewable energy strategy including wind energy policy
• Continued protection of the natural and built heritage
• Planning frameworks for smaller towns and villages

• Identification of key infrastructure for the County to bolster its development.