The Central Statistics Office have released figures from Census 2022 relating to housing in the North West.
According to Census 2022 figures published by the CSO, housing stock has increased across the North West.
Donegal and Leitrim both saw an increase of 2%, while Sligo saw an increase of 3%.
The amount of vacant dwellings decreased across the region, down 16% in Sligo, 18% in Donegal, and 22% in Leitrim.
There has also been a rise in holiday homes owned across all three counties, with 4% more owned in Leitrim, 11% in Donegal and 16% in Sligo.
The number of owner-occupied homes across the North West was also on the rise. The numbers in Donegal went up to 43,107 in 2022, in comparison to 42,210 in 2016. Sligo saw a minimal rise to 17,971, from 17,151 in 2016, with Leitrim’s 2022 figures standing at 9,624, up from 9,046 five years previously.
There were significant rises in rent statistics, with homes rented from private landlords up by 13% in both Donegal and Leitrim, and up 12% in Sligo.
The amount of over 65s in the region renting saw the highest increases. Donegal had an increase of 77%, there was a rise of 85% in Sligo, while the number of people over 65 renting a home in Leitrim went up by 91%.
Overall, rent prices also went up. Donegal saw the smallest increase of the region, with rent prices going up by 29%. There was a rise of 36% in Sligo, and 39% in Leitrim.
The average weekly rent prices however, made for interesting reading. In Sligo, the average cost of rent per week was 169 euro, and 139 euro in Leitrim. The average weekly rent in Donegal was 134 euro, which is the lowest average weekly rent in the whole country.
