Place profile · Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal

Is Ballyshannon a good place to live?

Ballyshannon is on the up.

Below average today — but the fundamentals are turning, faster than the national trend.

↓ Unemployment fell 20% → 14%↑ Third-level education up 3 points↓ Population fell 10.3% since 2016

Where Ballyshannon sits.

Co. Donegal · 2 bus stops · no rail.

160 min
drive to Galway

Ranked #2 in Donegal for quality of life.

57/100
#93 nationally
Affordability100
Family & community83
Environment74
Safety71
Local economy28
Transport & services22
Schools & education20

Homes sell for €150,000.

€100,000€230,000
-35.5%0% new-build87 sales / 2yr
€€

Affordable for its access.

100/100
Affordability score

Good for families.

83/100
Family & community score

Clean, green surrounds.

74/100
Environment score

The community here.

1,147 people, down 10.3% since 2016.

Who lives here.

28%
third-level
28%
professional
17.3%
unemployment
Affluence: disadvantaged

Mostly owner-occupied.

65.1% own18.4% rent10.2% social

For sale in Ballyshannon right now.

Get a full report on any Ballyshannon property →

The honest trade-offs.

↓ Transport & services 22/100↓ Schools & education 20/100

Compare with nearby towns.

Ballyshannon vs DonegalBallyshannon vs LetterkennyBallyshannon vs LiffordBallyshannon vs BundoranBallyshannon vs BuncranaBallyshannon vs Ballybofey-StranorlarIs Donegal a good place to live?Is Letterkenny a good place to live?Is Lifford a good place to live?Is Bundoran a good place to live?

Sale prices from the Property Price Register (rolling 24 months). Quality of Life averages seven equal-weighted dimensions from 40+ metrics across 13 public datasets (CSO census + SAPS, Garda crime, SEAI, EPA, DES schools, GTFS). Population is CSO Census 2022; the “on the up” trajectory compares 2016→2022. Figures refresh daily · an area assessment, not advice on a specific property. Updated 2026.