Demographics
| Historical population | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1659 | 14,703 | — |
| 1821 | 195,076 | +1226.8% |
| 1831 | 227,933 | +16.8% |
| 1841 | 243,158 | +6.7% |
| 1851 | 174,071 | −28.4% |
| 1861 | 153,906 | −11.6% |
| 1871 | 140,735 | −8.6% |
| 1881 | 129,476 | −8.0% |
| 1891 | 111,917 | −13.6% |
| 1901 | 97,541 | −12.8% |
| 1911 | 91,173 | −6.5% |
| 1926 | 82,452 | −9.6% |
| 1936 | 76,670 | −7.0% |
| 1946 | 70,355 | −8.2% |
| 1951 | 66,377 | −5.7% |
| 1956 | 61,740 | −7.0% |
| 1961 | 56,594 | −8.3% |
| 1966 | 54,022 | −4.5% |
| 1971 | 52,618 | −2.6% |
| 1979 | 53,720 | +2.1% |
| 1981 | 53,855 | +0.3% |
| 1986 | 53,965 | +0.2% |
| 1991 | 52,796 | −2.2% |
| 1996 | 52,944 | +0.3% |
| 2002 | 56,546 | +6.8% |
| 2006 | 64,003 | +13.2% |
| 2011 | 73,183 | +14.3% |
As of 2011, Cavan has a population of 73,183 making it the 25th largest county by population, ahead of Sligo and behind Offaly. In 2011, Cavan (according to CSO statistics) had a natural population increase of 742 people (1,286 births minus 544 deaths). Cavan has a higher percentage than the state average of people in the dependency age, 0-14 and over 65 with 34.7% in 2006, which is a drop from 36.6% in 2002. Cavan had a high age dependency ratio in 2002 of 66.91%, this was due to the migration of people who went for third level education elsewhere or who looked for work, most likely in the Greater Dublin Area. The language spoken in the county is predominantly English, with just 35% of the Cavan population also Irish speaking. The national census of April 2011 shows net migration slowing to a rate of 16.2% over that of previous periods. Between 2002 and 2006 Cavan had a population increase of 13.2%, and of this growth 83.4% was due to inward migration.
The 2011 Census results (published in April 2012) show a County Cavan population increase of 14.34%, the largest population growth in Ireland after County Laois. The population rose from 64,003 to 73,183 persons with an average increase of 15% seen in electoral areas in the southeast of the county. This increase is due to the continued population growth of N3/M3 proximity commuter towns such as Virginia, Ballyjamesduff, Bailieborough and Mullagh. Virginia is now the second largest populated town in the county. However, a continued decrease as seen from earlier census results in areas of the north and west of the county, including urban areas such Cavan and Cootehill towns. The 2011 preliminary census results also listed the highest percentage of partially constructed and vacant houses situated in the north and west of the county, representing over 20% of its dwellings vacant.
Read more about this topic: County Cavan