Revealed: County Wicklow’s most affluent and deprived communities
USING 2016 CENSUS DATA, NON-PROFIT COMPANY POBAL HAS PRODUCED A ‘DEPRIVATION INDEX’ OUTLINING AREAS OF RELATIVE AFFLUENCE OR DISADVANTAGE. MARY FOGARTY SIFTS THROUGH THE FIGURES FOR COUNTY WICKLOW
COUNTY Wicklow is ‘marginally above average’ in terms of deprivation or affluence, according to the study done by non-profit organisation Pobal. This has been the case since 2006, with scores fluctuating from 1.28 in 2006, to 1.03 in 2011, and up to 1.43 in 2016.
The index is based on data from the census and measures the relative affluence or disadvantage of a particular area.
A score is assigned to the area based on a national average of around -40 (the most disadvantaged) to 40 (the most affluent).
The data is arranged in categories including age dependency, single parent ratio, education from primary to third level, unemployment and proportion living in local authority rented housing.
While the vast majority of the county is above average, the larger urban centres along the east coast are areas of contradiction.
There is only one ‘very affluent’ area within County Wicklow, and that is the Burnagy area of Greystones, while there is no ‘affluent’ ‘area in Arklow.
The only pocket of affluence west of Enniskerry is Burgage, neaar Blessington.
In Bray, an area north of the Dargle from Castle Street east is ‘marginally bellow average’. This was the case in 2011, but the score has increased by 4.73 points.
In this population of 198, 26 per cent went to primary school only, and 34.48 third level. The age dependency level is 24.75 per cent and the age dependency ratio 33 per cent. 27.27 per cent were without a car.
Across the Fran O’Toole Bridge and west, the index shows ‘marginally below average’. 21.79 per cent of males and 19.05 per cent of females were unemployed.
With a population of 267, 25 per cent had primary school education, and 23.74 third level. The age dependency was 30.71 per cent, and lone parent ration 27 per cent.
Just across the river, The Maltings was found to be ‘affluent’ with an index of 13.17. Just one per cent of residents had primary education only, with 61.11 having third level only. 3.17 per cent of males were unemployed, and 7.69 per cent of females.
An area in Little Bray including James Everett Park was ‘very disadvantaged’ with a score of -20.91.
The age dependency ratio was 44.08 per cent and the lone parent ratio 42 per cent.
33 per cent of residents had primary education only, and 6.77 per cent third level education. 20.93 of men were unemployed, and 27.03 per cent of women.
Neighbouring areas were disadvantaged, very disadvantages, or marginally below average.
An area towards the south of Bray including King Edward Road and Rosslyn was only found to be ‘marginally above average’ despite having high-value properties.
The Pobal HP Index 2016 in this area was 5.71. The age dependency ration was 50.21 per cent and the lone parent ratio zero per cent.
The proportion of primary school education only was five per cent, and third level education was 46.84 per cent. Unemployment was low, at 6.38 for men and 2.2 per cent for wimen.
The population of Kilmacanogue was found to be generally above average, including in the rural surrounds.
One section close to the village centre, with a population of 309, was found to be disadvantaged with an index of -11.67.
The age dependency ration there was 34.95 and lone parent ratio 32.
20 per cent had primary school education only, and 19.23 per cent third level education. 27.03 per cent of males were unemployed, and 20.29 per cent of females.
Most of Greystones was found to be either affluent or marginally above average, with just one section ‘very affluent’. At Rathdown Upper, an affluent area, the index was 10.15 with a population of 307. The age dependency ratio was 39.41 per cent, and lone parent 18 per cent. Nine per cent had primary school education, and 55 per cent third level. None of the residents were renting from local authority. Unemployment was 5.88 per cent for men and 2.99 per cent for women. One section of Kindlestown Park, with a population of 251 was ‘very disadvantaged’ and had an index of -11.91. The age dependency ratio was 22.71 per cent, and lone parent ratio 39 per cent. 24 per cent of people had primary education only, and 16.95 per cent third level. 55.42 were local authority rented. Employment was 25.61 for men and 29.31 for women. Nobody in the Burnaby was unemployed and one per cent of the 307 had primary school education only. 63.13 had third level. This was the only ‘very affluent’ area in County Wicklow with an index of 21.11. The age dependency ratio was 41.04, and the lone parent ratio 7. Delgany had no disadvantaged area, with every part of the village ‘affluent’ or marginally above average’. Close to the village centre, a population of 356 had an index of 18.13 and was ‘affluent’. Two per cent had primary education and 69.68 third level. Unemployment was 1.19 in males and 3.57 in females. In Kilcoole, there was a disadvantaged area to the west of Main Street, including Bullford.
The index was -11.24 for a population of 259. The age dependency ratio was 41.70 per cent and the lone parent ratio 19 per cent.
26 per cent of the population had primary education only, and 21.6 third level. Unemployment was 21.88 in men and 21.28 in women.
An area to the east of Main Street including Sea Road was found to be ‘affluent’ in the index.
The population was 456 and the index 10.24. Age dependency was 31.36 per cent, and lone parent ratio 13 per cent.
Seven per cent of people had primary school education only, and 35.86 third level.
Unemployment was 3.05 for men and 8,4 for women.
The area of Newtownmountkennedy beyond the village centre to Kilmurray, with a population of 717, was affluent, with a index of 13.19.
The age dependency ratio was 33.47 per cent, and lone parent ratio 19 per cent. Seven per cent had primary education only, and 41.65 third level.
7.51 per cent of men were unemployed, and 7.1 per cent of women.
Much of the village was found to be above average, with one section close to the village centre disadvantaged.
The area, with a population of 235, had a score of -12.98 on the index.
The age dependency ratio was 38.3 and the lone parent ratio 14.
31 per cent had primary school education only and 11.04 per cent third level. 9.52 were local authority rented.
Unemployment was 17.91 per cent in men and 6.82 per cent in women.
Newcastle was mainly affluent, or above average, with no areas of disadvantage. For example, an area including Leabeg and Kilmullen had an index of 17.11, affluent.
None of the residents were renting from local authority and unemployment was 4.58 per cent in men and 5.77 per cent in women.
An area including Sea Court and Seamount Drive was marginally below average, with an index of -9.71. Unemployment here was 32.79 in men and 10 per cent in women.
The only affluent area in west Wicklow was Burgage. The small population of 130 outside Blessington had an index of 10.86.
The age dependency ratio was 31.54 per cent and lone parent ratio 40 per cent. Nine per cent had primary school education, and 43.08 per cent third level. 3.33 per cent were local authority rented.
Unemployment was 15 per cent for men and 6.45 for women.
Hollywood had an above average section with a population of 357. The index was 3.96.
The age dependency ratio was 37.25 and lone parent ratio 10 per cent. 15 per cent had primary education, and 36.74 third level.
Unemployment was 7.53 per cent in men and 6.85 per cent in women.
Donard, meanwhile, had a slightly below average area of 254 people and an index of -0.17.
The age dependency ratio was 36.61, lone parent ratio 13 per cent.
12 per cent had primary education, and 26.58 third level education. Unemployment was 7.46 per cent in men and 12.96 in women.
Vast tracts of the west and rural areas in the rest of the county were very close to average.
For example Roundwood, in the Sraghmore area, had an index of 4.95. Unemployment here was 6.67 in men and 5.97 in women.
Ashford was generally average, with one affluent area south of Coynes Cross. With a population of 123, the index was 14.26.
The age dependency ratio was 34.96 per cent and lone parent ratio eight per cent.
Unemployment was zero per cent in men and 4 per cent in women.
In the townland of Ballybeg, the area was very disadvantaged with an index of -21.79. Overall the Rathnew area was average.
For the most part, areas of Wicklow Town were either slightly above or below average, with just one or two pockets of extremes.
Marlton Park was aflluent, with a population of 581. The index there was 12.91.
The age dependency ratio was 32.87, and there was a lone parent ratio of 9 per cent.
Two per cent had education to primary level, and 53.09 per cent to third level. Unemployment was 6.92 per cent in men and 6.06 per cent in women.
An area at Hillview was very disadvantaged, with an index of 20.33 per cent.
The age dependence ratio was 37.89 and lone parent ratio 44 per cent. 17 per cent had primary education only, and 12.24 per cent third level. 100 per cent were local authority rented.
Unemployment was 56.41 in men and 32.56 in women.
Arklow had no affluent areas. An area at the marina was marginally above average, and an area at Marian Villas was very disadvantaged.
Much of the town centre was very disadvantaged, or disadvantaged, whereas the outskirts were mainly below average.
At the marina area, a population of 242 had an index of 3.27.
The age dependency ratio was 24.38 and the lone parent ratio 24.
Five per cent had primary education only, and 43.87 third level education. Unemployment was 15.29 per cent in men and 17.91 per cent in women.
Marian Villas was -21.65 on the index, very disadvantaged. The section population was 209.
The age dependency ratio was 26.32 and lone parent ratio 58 per cent.
29 per cent had primary cation only, and 5.6 per cent third level education. Unemployment was 35.59 in men and 42.55 in women.