Place profile · Newtownforbes, Co. Longford

Is Newtownforbes a good place to live?

Newtownforbes, Co. Longford scores 51/100 for quality of life, #100 of the 108 Irish areas BuyerIQ ranks, and its fundamentals are rated “on the up — emerging”. The median home sells for €170,000 (most €137,750–€248,750), it scores 77/100 for safety (35 recorded crimes per 1,000 residents), 851 people live here. It's strongest on affordability and safety, weakest on schools & education.

Updated August 2026 · Property Price Register + 20+ official sources, refreshed daily

Newtownforbes is on the up.

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

Unemployment fell 18% → 9% — faster than nationally

Where Newtownforbes sits.

Co. Longford · 2 bus stops · no rail.

97 min
drive to Dublin

#100 of 108 for quality of life in Ireland.

51/100
#100 liveability#89 value
Affordability100
Safety77
Environment76
Family & community73
Transport & services37
Local economy22
Schools & education20

These seven scores and the 51/100 are measured across the N39 Eircode area, not Newtownforbes alone — an area that takes in much of LONGFORD. A strong or weak pocket inside it can read very differently from the area average.

Ranked on quality of life alone — cost of living excluded, so the genuinely best areas rank top even though they cost more. Factor in price and Newtownforbes is #89 of 108 for value for money (most quality of life per euro).

House prices in Newtownforbes: €170,000 median.

€137,750€248,750
26 sales / 2yr

Affordable for its access.

100/100
Affordability score

Clean, green surrounds.

76/100
Environment score

Good for families.

73/100
Family & community score

Quiet and safe.

77/100
35/1,000 · Roscommon/Longford

The score is for the N39 Eircode area; the crime rate is recorded per Garda division (Roscommon/Longford). Neither is measured for Newtownforbes on its own.

The community here.

851 people.

Population is for Newtownforbes itself (Census 2022, Small-Area boundary).

Going out, and getting things done.

6
social venues
1 per 142 residents · not ranked
4
everyday shops & services
1 per 213 residents · not ranked

Not ranked: under 2,000 residents, one pub swings the per-head figure too far.

Who lives here.

32%
third-level
32%
professional
13.8%
unemployment
Affluence: below average

Census profile and the affluence rating are Electoral Division figures — the CSO/Pobal area around Newtownforbes, which is why this unemployment rate can differ from the one behind the quality-of-life scores above (those are Eircode-area wide).

Mostly owner-occupied.

67.8% own17.3% rent11.4% social

The honest trade-offs.

Local economy 22/100 Schools & education 20/100

Newtownforbes: common questions

Is Newtownforbes a good place to live?

Newtownforbes, Co. Longford, scores 51/100 on BuyerIQ's Quality of Life composite (cost of living excluded) — #100 of the 108 areas we rank. It's strongest on affordability and safety.

Is Newtownforbes safe?

Newtownforbes scores 77/100 on safety, ~35.0 recorded crimes per 1,000 residents.

What are house prices in Newtownforbes?

The median sale price in Newtownforbes over the last 24 months was €170,000, with most sales between €137,750 and €248,750 (Property Price Register, rolling 24 months).

How much does it cost to buy a house in Newtownforbes?

The median sale price in Newtownforbes over the last 24 months was €170,000, most between €137,750 and €248,750 (Property Price Register).

Is Newtownforbes on the up?

Newtownforbes is rated "On the up — emerging" — unemployment fell 18% → 9% — faster than nationally.

Is there much new development or planning activity in Newtownforbes?

8 planning applications were lodged within Newtownforbes in the last 12 months, covering 19 residential units (30 on record) — measured per town, not just at county level.

Is Newtownforbes good for families?

Newtownforbes scores 73/100 for families and community.

What are the schools like in Newtownforbes?

Newtownforbes scores 20/100 for schools and education, with 1 school in the area.

What is the commute like from Newtownforbes?

Newtownforbes is about 97 minutes by road from Dublin.

Compare Newtownforbes with a nearby town

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 August 2026.