Living in Dublin 3, Co. Dublin: Schools, Commute & House Prices 2026
On this page
- Who lives in Dublin 3
- Commuting to Dublin
- Getting around Dublin 3
- Schools in Dublin 3
- Things to do in and around Dublin 3
- Where Dublin 3 is
- What it costs: house prices and rent in Dublin 3
- Before you move: planning and flood
- Recent development in Dublin 3
- Flood maps
- County context
- Common questions about living in Dublin 3
- Nearby Dublin towns
- Population and demographics
Is Dublin 3 a nice place to live?
Dublin 3 is home to about 1,193 households, 75% owner-occupied and 21% renting, according to Census 2022. The median sale price over the last 12 months was €595,000, versus €454,000 across the Dublin region. The Department of Education dataset lists 1 school keyed to the town (1 primary), and there are 570 visitor attractions within 10 km. The nearest rail station is Killester, 1.1 km away, and 10 bus and rail routes serve the town. The sections below break each of these down.
Dublin 3 is a town in Co. Dublin, about 11 minutes from Dublin city centre by car and on the rail line, 1 schools, 74.6% of households own their home. Living here costs a median €595,000 to buy.
Official CSO, Department of Education, Transport for Ireland, PPR & RTB data · 335 sales · PPR sales to Sep 2026 · CSO benchmark to Jul 2026 · rents Q4 2025 (RTB)
Who lives in Dublin 3: 74.6% own their home, full Census breakdown
Who lives in Dublin 3
3,189 people live in Dublin 3 on Census 2022 night. 75% of households own their home and 21% rent, so Dublin 3 leans towards owner occupiers. The most common way to commute is by car (38%). It skews older: 22% are aged 65 and over against 15% under 15. 66% of those who have finished education hold a third level qualification.
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Population (2022) | 3,189 |
| Owner-occupied households | 75% |
| Rented households | 21% |
| Aged under 15 | 15% |
| Aged 25 to 44 | 23% |
| Aged 65 and over | 22% |
| Third level or higher | 66% |
| At work (aged 15+) | 51% |
| Unemployment rate | 3% |
| Commute by car | 38% |
| Commute by public transport | 26% |
| Commute on foot or bike | 33% |
Source: CSO Census 2022 Small Area Population Statistics, CC-BY 4.0. Figures are for the Clontarf East C electoral division around Dublin 3.
Commuting to Dublin
Nearest train station: Killester (in the town), on the DART line
Public transport serving Dublin 3: 3 operators
Getting around Dublin 3
Dublin 3 is served by 3 public-transport operators running 10 scheduled routes. Operators are Bus Átha Cliath – Dublin Bus, Go-Ahead Ireland and Nitelink, Dublin Bus.
| Operator | Mode |
|---|---|
| Bus Átha Cliath – Dublin Bus | Bus / coach |
| Go-Ahead Ireland | Bus / coach |
| Nitelink, Dublin Bus | Bus / coach |
Scheduled routes
- 6 - Howth Dart Stn - Lower Abbey Street
- 53 - Dublin Ferryport - Talbot St
- H1 - Baldoyle - Lower Abbey Street
- H2 - Malahide - Lower Abbey Street
- H3 - Howth Summit - Lower Abbey Street
- N4 - Blanchardstown - Point Village
- 104 - Clontarf Station - DCU (The Helix)
- 130 - Talbot Street - Castle Avenue
- 29n - Dublin City South, D'Olier Street - Baldoyle, Warrenhouse Road
- 31n - Dublin City South, D'Olier Street - Howth, Outside Train Station
Source: Transport for Ireland GTFS_All feed (NTA), CC-BY 4.0. Stops matched to the town within a 6 km radius; route list capped.
Schools in Dublin 3
There is 1 primary school in and around Dublin 3.
| School | Level | Pupils | DEIS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eoin Baisde C Naoidh | Primary | 215 |
Source: Department of Education, Data on Individual Schools. CC-BY 4.0.
Things to do in and around Dublin 3
- Heritage nearby: Casino Marino, Dublin City (2 km) · St. Mary's Abbey Abbey, Dublin City (5 km) · St. Audoens Church, Dublin City (5 km) · Kilmainham Gaol (7 km)
- Walking trails in County Dublin: Wicklow Way · Barnaslingan - Pine loop trail (Blue) · Barnaslingan - Scalp Lookout Trail (Red) · Carrickgollogan - Lead Mines Way - (Orange)
- Nature reserves: Wicklow Mountains National Park · North Bull Island Nature Reserve · Rogerstown Estuary Nature Reserve
Where Dublin 3 is
Map © OpenStreetMap contributors
What it costs: house prices and rent in Dublin 3
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median sale price (12 mo) | €595,000 (+3.5% YoY) |
| Average monthly rent | n/a |
| Gross rental yield | n/a |
| Net yield (est.) | n/a |
| Dublin county median | €500k |
| New build / second-hand | €747,500 / €592,500 |
What this means: New builds in Dublin 3 sell at about a 26% premium to second-hand homes (€747,500 vs €592,500).
Recent sales in Dublin 3
| Date | Address | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 Sep 26 | 50 MERCHANTS SQ, EAST WALL, DUBLIN 3 | Second-hand | €371,000 |
| 18 Sep 26 | 25 VERNON AVE, CLONTARF, DUBLIN 3 | Second-hand | €1,781,000 |
| 18 Sep 26 | 73 CASINO PARK, MALAHIDE RD, DUBLIN 3 | Second-hand | €480,000 |
| 17 Sep 26 | 165 MALAHIDE RD, DUBLIN 3, DUBLIN | Second-hand | €507,200 |
| 17 Sep 26 | 36 CROYDON GREEN, MARINO, DUBLIN 3 | Second-hand | €567,000 |
| 16 Sep 26 | 29 VERNON PARK, CLONTARF, DUBLIN 3 | Second-hand | €730,000 |
| 15 Sep 26 | 44 BARGY RD, EAST WALL, DUBLIN 3 | Second-hand | €450,000 |
| 14 Sep 26 | 110 HOWTH RD, CLONTARF, DUBLIN 3 | Second-hand | €4,250,000 |
Actual sale prices from the Property Price Register, verifiable at propertypriceregister.ie.
Dublin 3 median price, year by year
| Year | Median | Relative | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | €496,250 | 342 sales | |
| 2024 | €550,000 | 385 sales | |
| 2025 | €601,875 | 374 sales | |
| 2026 | €580,000 | 238 sales |
Maximum legal rent increase in Dublin 3
Since 1 March 2026 a rent review is capped at the lower of 2% a year (pro rata) or CPI inflation.
The full March 2026 rent review rules
Dublin 3 compared with County Dublin
| County | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|
| Dublin 3 | 595000 | |
| County Dublin median | 500000 |
Local Property Tax in Dublin 3
The median home (€595,000) falls in LPT Band 5, a base charge of €523 a year before Dublin County Council's local adjustment factor. Use the calculator for your exact valuation.
Before you move: planning and flood
Recent development in Dublin 3
In the 12 months to September 2026, 28 planning grants were recorded in and around Dublin 3, including 8 new homes approved across those grants. Data gap: the DHLGH planning layer holds no Dublin City Council application received after 30 Jul 2026, although the council's own register is still publishing, so this figure understates the last 12 months until the department resumes ingestion.
| Decided | Development | Homes |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-02 | The development will consist/consists of design modifications to the previously permitted development granted under planning references 2978/20 and... | 4 |
| 2026-01-23 | Planning Permission is sought for the demolition of the existing garden shed and construction of a new detached two storeys one bedroom and office... | 1 |
| 2025-12-12 | (i) partial demolition of existing single storey element to the side/south of the two-storey dwelling at No. 97 The Stiles Road; (ii) construction of... | 1 |
| 2025-11-19 | The insertion of a new 151 m2 detached single storey dwelling to the rear garden of the existing dwelling including vehicular access to the front of... | 1 |
| 2025-10-01 | The proposed development will consists of 1) Subdivision of existing site 2) Demolition of existing single storey garage in rear garden 3) The... | 1 |
Source: Irish Planning Applications, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (ArcGIS, CC-BY 4.0). Granted applications keyed to the nearest town within 7 km. Homes column shows residential units in the application where recorded.
What this means: The 8 homes approved here in the last year are about 1% of Dublin 3's roughly 1,193 households, a supply pipeline that typically eases price pressure.
Flood maps
For the modelled fluvial, coastal and pluvial flood extents around Dublin 3, open the official OPW flood maps, the authoritative source for Dublin 3, Dublin.
View the official OPW flood maps for Dublin 3 →
Source: Office of Public Works, floodinfo.ie. No OPW flood-extent values are reproduced here.
County context
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Population (2022 Census) | 1,458,154 |
| Population change 2016 to 2022 | +8.2% |
| Disposable income per person (index, State = 100) | 116.6 |
| New dwelling permissions (Dublin region, 2017) | 848 thousand m² |
Planning permissions are reported at NUTS3 region level; counties in this region share a figure.
Sources: CSO F1001, CIA02, BHQ09. CC-BY 4.0.
Nearby Dublin towns
Dartry · Sandycove · Mount Merrion · Rathgar · Glenageary · Rathmines
All Dublin house prices · All Leinster house prices
Sources: CSO Census 2022, Department of Education, Transport for Ireland, Property Price Register (PSRA), CSO RPPI, RTB via CSO. CC-BY. Figures verifiable at the official source.
Common questions about living in Dublin 3
What's it like to live in Dublin 3?
Dublin 3 is a town in Co. Dublin, about 11 minutes from Dublin city centre by car and on the rail line, 1 schools, 74.6% of households own their home (CSO Census 2022, Department of Education, Transport for Ireland).
How much does it cost to live in Dublin 3?
A home in Dublin 3 costs a median €595,000 to buy (Property Price Register, RTB via CSO).
How long is the commute from Dublin 3 to Dublin?
About 11 minutes to Dublin city centre by car and on the rail line, estimated.
What schools are in Dublin 3?
Schools in Dublin 3 include Eoin Baisde C Naoidh, among 1 primary and 0 post-primary in total (Department of Education, 2024/25).
What is the population of Dublin 3?
Dublin 3 had a population of 3,189 at the 2022 Census (CSO).
Population and demographics
Dublin 3 had a population of 3,189 at the 2022 Census.
| Population (2022 Census) | 3,189 |
|---|---|
| Households | 1,193 |
| Owner-occupied homes | 75% |
| Rented homes | 21% |
Source: CSO Census 2022 (CC BY 4.0). Household tenure from the same release.
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Each point is the median of that calendar year's open-market sales on the Property Price Register. 2026 is a part year, covering the 238 sales recorded to July 2026. Over the 12 months to 25 September 2026 the median was €595,000.
Could a home in Dublin 3 pay as a buy-to-let?
Pre-filled with Dublin 3's median price. There's no RTB rent for Dublin 3 yet, so the monthly rent below is an estimate. Change it to a real figure and it recalculates instantly.
Illustrative. Assumes ~18% of rent for management, insurance and voids; 25-year mortgage on the borrowed share; ~4% acquisition costs. Not financial advice.
What can you afford to buy in Dublin 3?
Pre-filled with Dublin 3's median price. Adjust the income and deposit and it recalculates instantly.
Assumes 4x gross income for a first-time buyer or 3.5x otherwise, plus your deposit, with no minimum deposit applied (the Central Bank's 10% floor can cap the price lower; the affordability calculator applies it), and a 3.7% rate over 30 years unless you change them.
Central Bank of Ireland mortgage measures (since Jan 2023): first-time buyers can borrow up to 4x gross income, movers and second or subsequent buyers up to 3.5x, both with a minimum 10% deposit. Figures are illustrative, not financial advice.
Stamp duty on a Dublin 3 property
Pre-filled with Dublin 3's median price. Change the purchase price, tick new build if it applies, and see your stamp duty and total cost instantly.
Irish residential stamp duty (rates in force since 2 October 2024): 1% on the first €1,000,000; 2% from €1,000,000 to €1,500,000; 6% on any amount above €1,500,000. New builds: duty is charged on the price net of 13.5% VAT. Figures are illustrative, not legal or financial advice.
Local Property Tax for a Dublin 3 home
Pre-filled with Dublin 3's median price. Uses the 2026 Revenue valuation bands (valuation date: 1 November 2025) and your local authority's 2026 adjustment factor.
Revenue LPT 2026-2030 band table and Local Adjustment Factors (source: revenue.ie). Each local authority can vary the base charge by up to 15%. Figures are illustrative; verify at Revenue's LPT service for your exact property.
Rent cap calculator for Dublin 3
No RTB rental data for Dublin 3 yet, so this starts from a typical Leinster rent. From 1 March 2026 all private tenancies are covered by national rent control: for a standard tenancy the annual increase is capped at 2% or CPI inflation, whichever is lower. This computes the 2% leg as an illustrative cap.
No figure for this tenancy type: it follows CPI with no 2% cap and this widget holds no CPI series. Use the official RTB Rent Calculator.
Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2025; national rent control from 1 March 2026 (source: rtb.ie). Illustrative, not legal advice: if CPI is below 2% the lawful ceiling is lower, and the RTB Rent Calculator at rtb.ie is the official tool.
What a month in Dublin 3 costs
Real figures for Dublin 3: RTB average rent and an ownership estimate built on the median sale price. Adjust the mortgage rate and deposit and it recalculates instantly.
Rent: RTB average monthly rents (RIQ02). Ownership: repayment mortgage on Dublin 3's median Property Price Register sale price over 30 years, plus Revenue's 2026 LPT band charge divided by 12. Excludes utilities, insurance, management fees and council LPT adjustments. Illustrative, not financial advice.
More on Dublin 3
- Dublin 3 house prices: median, year trend and the latest sales recorded on the Property Price Register.
- Things to do in Dublin 3: attractions, heritage sites and walks nearby.
- What's on in Co. Dublin: festivals, markets and gigs, grouped by week and refreshed every Monday.
- Dublin planning applications by district: what has been lodged, granted and refused in the last 12 months.