When looking at the number of schools, average house prices, crime rates, and more in each county, there are certain places that rank high above the rest for families
Donegal Town(Image: Getty Images)
There are many factors families must consider when choosing the right county to live in, including proximity to work, housing affordability, and safety.
Other factors, such as education, green spaces, and access to local amenities, also all play a major role in shaping childhood experiences and family well‑being.
In Ireland, more than one in five households with children have three or more kids, the highest proportion in the European Union, highlighting just how important family‑friendly communities are across the country.
So, when you consider the number of schools, average house prices, crime rates, and more, which counties in Ireland are the best, and which counties face the biggest challenge when it comes to raising a family?
The top 3 best places to raise a family in Ireland
1. Mayo
Mayo ranks as the most family-friendly county in Ireland, offering a balance of safety, education, and quality of life. The county’s relatively low crime rate of 297 incidents per 10,000 residents makes it a relatively reassuring choice for parents, while 151 primary schools and 26 post-primary schools provide fair educational access across the region. With 5.1 parks per 10,000 residents, families also benefit from plenty of outdoor space.
2. Donegal
Donegal takes second place and stands out as the most affordable in the top ten, with a median house price of €165,000, making it particularly attractive to growing families. It also has the highest number of primary schools among the leaders at 171, improving access to local education, and offers 5.7 parks per 10,000 residents, supporting outdoor family life.
3. Kerry
Kerry rounds out the top three, leading with some of the best access to green space, with 7.1 parks per 10,000 residents, giving families plenty of room for recreation and outdoor activities. The county also benefits from strong access to everyday amenities, including 2 supermarkets per 10,000 residents, helping make daily life more convenient for busy households. While house prices are slightly higher than Mayo and Donegal at €260,000, Kerry’s blend of lifestyle, schooling, and accessibility helps secure its family-friendly spot.
The three Counties facing the biggest challenges for family living
While every county offers its own strengths, some places have varying factors that make day-to-day life slightly more challenging.
1. Kildare
Kildare ranks as the county facing the greatest challenge in family living, driven mainly by housing pressures and limited access to green space. With a median house price of €415,000, affordability remains a major barrier for many households. Outdoor amenities are also relatively scarce, with only 0.8 parks per 10,000 residents, noticeably lower than in other counties.
Despite these constraints, Kildare performs strongly in education, offering 101 primary schools and 29 post‑primary schools. Everyday convenience is moderate, supported by a supermarket density of 1.13 per 10,000 residents. However, the county’s reported crime rate of 510.5 per 10,000 is higher than in several other areas, which contributes to its first-place ranking.
2. Louth
Louth comes second, with higher crime levels and fewer schooling options contributing to its ranking. The county has 69 primary schools and 18 post‑primary schools, noticeably fewer than Kildare, which can constrain educational access for families. Reported crime is among the highest in the top three counties, at 659.8 per 10,000 residents. Green space availability, at 1.7 parks per 10,000 people, is an improvement on Kildare but still falls short of what more family‑friendly counties offer.
3. Wicklow
Wicklow rounds out the top three, largely due to high housing costs and limited everyday amenities. With a median house price of €445,000, the highest among the top 10 counties, affordability is a significant challenge for families. Supermarket density is particularly low at 0.26 per 10,000 residents, meaning routine shopping often requires more planning and travel.
However, Wicklow stands out for its strong lifestyle and education offering. It provides 3.7 parks per 10,000 residents, the highest of the group, giving families excellent access to green space. Reported crime sits at 422.5 per 10,000 residents, lower than both Kildare and Louth, helping to balance some of the county’s cost‑related pressures.
Conor Mulcahy, Head of Product & Renewals at Quote Devil, says: “It’s important to note that ‘challenging’ doesn’t mean unsuitable. Many of these counties are still hugely popular with families thanks to strong communities, good job prospects, and reliable transport links.
“Wherever you decide to settle, it’s worth protecting your home with the right home insurance, especially in areas where affordability or safety pressures are higher. Even when you’ve considered external factors like schools, green space, and local amenities in your county, family-friendly living also starts at home. Simple safety steps inside the house can make a big difference for peace of mind, daily convenience, and insurance readiness.”
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