Place profile · Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow

Is Rathdrum a good place to live?

Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow scores 60/100 for quality of life, #58 of the 108 Irish areas BuyerIQ ranks, and its fundamentals are rated “on the up — emerging”. The median home sells for €358,975 (most €333,920–€378,855), it scores 70/100 for safety (43.8 recorded crimes per 1,000 residents), 2,264 people live here. It's strongest on environment and family & community, weakest on schools & education.

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

Rathdrum is on the up.

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

Unemployment fell 18% → 10% — faster than nationally Third-level education up 11 points — faster than nationally Recorded crime falling

Where Rathdrum sits.

Co. Wicklow · 8 bus stops · 1 rail.

61 min
drive to Dublin

#58 of 108 for quality of life in Ireland.

60/100
#58 liveability#77 value
Environment82
Family & community77
Safety70
Affordability68
Local economy47
Transport & services46
Schools & education35

These seven scores and the 60/100 are measured across the A67 Eircode area, not Rathdrum alone — an area that takes in much of WICKLOW. 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 Rathdrum is #77 of 108 for value for money (most quality of life per euro).

Homes sell for €358,975.

€333,920€378,855
63% new-build189 sales / 2yr

Clean, green surrounds.

82/100
Environment score

Good for families.

77/100
Family & community score

Affordable for its access.

68/100
Affordability score

Quiet and safe.

70/100
43.8/1,000 · Wicklow
Recorded crime falling

The score is for the A67 Eircode area; the crime rate is recorded per Garda division (Wicklow). Neither is measured for Rathdrum on its own.

The community here.

2,264 people.

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

Going out, and getting things done.

93rd most vibrant small town in Ireland, of 131 ranked.

11
social venues
#93 of 131 · #50 per head
8
everyday shops & services
#111 of 131 · #86 per head

Ranked against small towns only; tourist towns read high.

Who lives here.

33%
third-level
36%
professional
14.1%
unemployment
Affluence: below average

Census profile and the affluence rating are Electoral Division figures — the CSO/Pobal area around Rathdrum, 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.

68.8% own14% rent16.6% social

The honest trade-offs.

Schools & education 35/100

Rathdrum: common questions

Is Rathdrum a good place to live?

Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow, scores 60/100 on BuyerIQ's Quality of Life composite (cost of living excluded) — #58 of the 108 areas we rank. It's strongest on environment and family & community.

Is Rathdrum safe?

Rathdrum scores 70/100 on safety, ~43.8 recorded crimes per 1,000 residents.

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

The median sale price in Rathdrum over the last 24 months was €358,975, most between €333,920 and €378,855 (Property Price Register).

Is Rathdrum on the up?

Rathdrum is rated "On the up — emerging" — unemployment fell 18% → 10% — faster than nationally, third-level education up 11 points — faster than nationally, recorded crime falling.

Are there new builds in Rathdrum?

About 63% of homes sold in Rathdrum in the last 24 months were new builds (Property Price Register).

Is there much new development or planning activity in Rathdrum?

13 planning applications were lodged within Rathdrum in the last 12 months, covering 3 residential units (100 on record) — measured per town, not just at county level.

Is Rathdrum good for families?

Rathdrum scores 77/100 for families and community.

What are the schools like in Rathdrum?

Rathdrum scores 35/100 for schools and education, with 4 schools in the area.

What is the commute like from Rathdrum?

Rathdrum is about 61 minutes by road from Dublin, with 1 rail stop nearby.

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.