Place profile · Newtown, Co. Laois

Is Newtown a good place to live?

Newtown is on the up.

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

Unemployment fell 25% → 12% — faster than nationally Third-level education up 9 points — faster than nationally Population grew 14.0% — well above the national 8% Prices up 20.8%

Where Newtown sits.

Co. Laois · 2 bus stops · no rail.

66 min
drive to Waterford

Ranked #1 in Laois for quality of life.

62/100
#66 nationally
Affordability96
Family & community70
Environment69
Transport & services64
Safety62
Schools & education42
Local economy32

Homes sell for €330,396.

€275,000€348,017
↑ +20.8%50% new-build28 sales / 2yr

Affordable for its access.

96/100
Affordability score

Good for families.

70/100
Family & community score

Clean, green surrounds.

69/100
Environment score

A community that's growing.

269 people, up 14% since 2016.

Who lives here.

29%
third-level
31%
professional
12.1%
unemployment
Affluence: disadvantaged

Mostly owner-occupied.

77.8% own6.5% rent14% social

The honest trade-offs.

Schools & education 42/100 Local economy 32/100

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.