Place profile · Buncrana, Co. Donegal

Is Buncrana a good place to live?

Buncrana is on the up.

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

↓ Unemployment fell 22% → 12%↑ Third-level education up 5 points↑ Population grew 4.5% since 2016↑ Prices up 13.6%

Where Buncrana sits.

Co. Donegal · 10 bus stops · no rail.

216 min
drive to Dublin

Ranked #3 in Donegal for quality of life.

54/100
#101 nationally
Affordability100
Family & community80
Safety71
Environment69
Transport & services22
Local economy19
Schools & education17

Homes sell for €190,000.

€138,250€253,750
↑ +13.6%8.9% new-build100 sales / 2yr
€€

Affordable for its access.

100/100
Affordability score

Good for families.

80/100
Family & community score

Quiet and safe.

71/100
44.8/1,000

A community that's growing.

6,029 people, up 4.5% since 2016.

Who lives here.

31%
third-level
30%
professional
16.9%
unemployment
Affluence: disadvantaged

Mostly owner-occupied.

64.7% own18.8% rent13.2% social

For sale in Buncrana right now.

Get a full report on any Buncrana property →

The honest trade-offs.

↓ Local economy 19/100↓ Schools & education 17/100

Compare with nearby towns.

Buncrana vs DonegalBuncrana vs LetterkennyBuncrana vs LiffordBuncrana vs BundoranBuncrana vs Ballybofey-StranorlarBuncrana vs BallyshannonIs 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.