Commuter belt is widening

COUNTIES outside the Dublin area have recorded phenomenal population growth, according to the latest census figures.

As house prices rise in the city, the widening commuter belt means major population growth has shifted away from Dublin in the last five years to outlying counties such as Meath, Kildare and Wicklow and beyond.

The biggest population growth in the State was recorded in Kildare (21.5%) and Meath (22.1%), while adjoining counties such as Westmeath (13.8%), Wexford (11.7%), Laois (10.9%), Louth (10.5%) and Carlow (10.2%) showed large increases.