Living in Kilcullen, Co. Kildare: Schools, Commute & House Prices 2026
On this page
- Who lives in Kilcullen
- Commuting to Dublin
- Getting around Kilcullen
- Schools in Kilcullen
- Things to do in and around Kilcullen
- Where Kilcullen is
- What it costs: house prices and rent in Kilcullen
- Before you move: planning and flood
- Recent development in Kilcullen
- Flood maps
- County context
- Common questions about living in Kilcullen
- Nearby Kildare towns
- Population and demographics
Is Kilcullen a nice place to live?
Kilcullen is home to about 1,350 households, 70% owner-occupied and 26% renting, according to Census 2022. The median sale price over the last 12 months was €429,969, versus €458,500 across the Mid-East region, and the average rent reported by the RTB is €1,505 a month. The Department of Education dataset lists 6 schools keyed to the town (5 primary, 1 post-primary), and there are 17 visitor attractions within 10 km. The nearest rail station is Newbridge, 7.4 km away, and 8 bus and rail routes serve the town. The sections below break each of these down.
Kilcullen is a town in Co. Kildare, about 43 minutes from Dublin city centre by car and on the rail line, 6 schools, 70.1% of households own their home. Living here costs a median €429,969 to buy or €1,505 a month to rent (RTB Q4 2025) (a 4.2% gross yield).
Official CSO, Department of Education, Transport for Ireland, PPR & RTB data · 88 sales · PPR sales to Sep 2026 · CSO benchmark to Jul 2026 · rents Q4 2025 (RTB)
Who lives in Kilcullen: 70.1% own their home, full Census breakdown
Who lives in Kilcullen
3,815 people live in Kilcullen on Census 2022 night. 70% of households own their home and 26% rent, so Kilcullen leans towards owner occupiers. The most common way to commute is by car (63%). It skews young: 24% are under 15 against 10% aged 65 and over. 41% of those who have finished education hold a third level qualification.
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Population (2022) | 3,815 |
| Owner-occupied households | 70% |
| Rented households | 26% |
| Aged under 15 | 24% |
| Aged 25 to 44 | 29% |
| Aged 65 and over | 10% |
| Third level or higher | 41% |
| At work (aged 15+) | 63% |
| Unemployment rate | 4% |
| Commute by car | 63% |
| Commute by public transport | 6% |
| Commute on foot or bike | 26% |
Source: CSO Census 2022 Small Area Population Statistics for the Kilcullen built-up area, CC-BY 4.0.
Commuting to Dublin
Nearest train station: Newbridge (7.4 km away), on several Dublin intercity lines
Public transport serving Kilcullen: 4 operators
Getting around Kilcullen
Kilcullen is served by 4 public-transport operators running 8 scheduled routes. Operators are Go-Ahead Ireland, JJ Kavanagh, TFI Local Link Carlow Kilkenny Wicklow and TFI Local Link Kildare South Dublin.
| Operator | Mode |
|---|---|
| Go-Ahead Ireland | Bus / coach |
| JJ Kavanagh | Bus / coach |
| TFI Local Link Carlow Kilkenny Wicklow | Bus / coach |
| TFI Local Link Kildare South Dublin | Bus / coach |
Scheduled routes
- 130 - Dublin - Athy
- 880 - Carlow - Naas
- 885 - Baltinglass - Sallins
- 892 - Newbridge - Dunlavin
- 130A - Dublin - Athy
- GD02 - Waterford - Carlow - Dublin
- UM06 - Athy - Maynooth
- UM12 - Carlow - Naas - Maynooth
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 Kilcullen
There are 5 primary and 1 post-primary schools in and around Kilcullen.
| School | Level | Pupils | DEIS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cross And Passion College | Post-primary | 841 | |
| St Brigids N S | Primary | 598 | |
| Ursaille Naofa | Primary | 236 | |
| St Brigids N S | Primary | 167 | |
| Brannoxtown Community N S | Primary | 83 | |
| S N Naomh Ioseph | Primary | 51 |
Source: Department of Education, Data on Individual Schools. CC-BY 4.0.
Things to do in and around Kilcullen
- Heritage nearby: Old Kilcullen Monastic Site (3 km) · Baltinglass Abbey (21 km) · The Dwyer McAllister Cottage (22 km) · Maynooth Castle (30 km)
- Walking trails in County Kildare: Barrow Way · Royal Canal Way · Grand Canal Way · Ballydermot/Killyguise Loop
- Nature reserve: Pollardstown Fen Nature Reserve
Where Kilcullen is
Map © OpenStreetMap contributors
What it costs: house prices and rent in Kilcullen
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median sale price (12 mo) | €429,969 (+2.4% YoY) |
| Average monthly rent (Q4 2025) | €1,505 |
| Gross rental yield | 4.2% |
| Net yield (est.) | 3.3% |
| Kildare county median | €458k |
| New build / second-hand | €444,920 / €405,000 |
What this means: New builds in Kilcullen sell at about a 10% premium to second-hand homes (€444,920 vs €405,000).
Recent sales in Kilcullen
| Date | Address | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Sep 26 | 19 HILLCREST, KILCULLEN, KILDARE | Second-hand | €420,000 |
| 11 Sep 26 | 46 MOANBANE PARK, KILCULLEN, KILDARE | Second-hand | €456,000 |
| 03 Sep 26 | D6, Riverside Drive, Kilcullen | New | €370,044 |
| 02 Sep 26 | LORGA DAIBHI, SUNNYHILL, KILCULLEN | Second-hand | €665,000 |
| 31 Aug 26 | 4 CNOC NA GREINE WOODS, KILCULLEN, KILDARE | Second-hand | €425,000 |
| 28 Aug 26 | 3 THE GREEN CNOC NA GREINE, KILCULLEN, KILDARE | Second-hand | €380,000 |
| 28 Aug 26 | SANDLANDS, KILGOWAN, KILCULLEN | Second-hand | €530,000 |
| 21 Aug 26 | 14 NEWBURY, CASTLEMARTIN, KILCULLEN | Second-hand | €400,000 |
Actual sale prices from the Property Price Register, verifiable at propertypriceregister.ie.
Kilcullen median price, year by year
| Year | Median | Relative | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | €290,000 | 111 sales | |
| 2024 | €340,000 | 50 sales | |
| 2025 | €425,000 | 104 sales | |
| 2026 | €440,000 | 51 sales |
Maximum legal rent increase in Kilcullen
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
Kilcullen compared with County Kildare
| County | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|
| County Kildare median | 458000 | |
| Kilcullen | 429969 |
Rent or buy in Kilcullen?
At a glance: €429,969 to buy versus €1,505 a month to rent (RTB Q4 2025), a 4.2% gross yield.
Local Property Tax in Kilcullen
The median home (€429,969) falls in LPT Band 4, a base charge of €428 a year before Kildare County Council's local adjustment factor. Use the calculator for your exact valuation.
Renting in Kilcullen: the March 2026 rent rules
Every rent increase is now capped at the lesser of 2% a year (pro rata) or CPI inflation, nationwide since 1 March 2026. A review needs 90 days' notice on the RTB form, no more than one in any 12 months, and the notice must cite three comparable homes from the RTB Rent Register. Check any rent increase against the legal cap, or see average rents for every Leinster town.
Before you move: planning and flood
Recent development in Kilcullen
In the 12 months to September 2026, 57 planning grants were recorded in and around Kilcullen, including 86 new homes approved across those grants.
| Decided | Development | Homes |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-11-17 | for development at this c. 1.77 Ha site on Naas Road, Kilcullen, Co. Kildare. The site is bounded by Moanbane residential estate to the north... | 67 |
| 2026-03-04 | for renovation and use of previous attic space for use as residential accommodation on first floor as constructed inclusive of retention of all... | 2 |
| 2025-12-08 | (A) Retention Permission for front entrance porch (north) elevation and Retention Permission for Attic conversion to habitable accommodation with 4... | 2 |
| 2026-07-10 | for the construction of a detached single storey bungalow, single storey domestic garage, recessed entrance, secondary effluent treatment system and... | 1 |
| 2026-03-12 | a) proposed single storey dwelling, b) provision of domestic garage, c) new vehicular site entrance, d) treatment system & percolation area along... | 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 86 homes approved here in the last year are about 6% of Kilcullen's roughly 1,350 households, a supply pipeline that typically eases price pressure.
Flood maps
For the modelled fluvial, coastal and pluvial flood extents around Kilcullen, open the official OPW flood maps, the authoritative source for Kilcullen, Kildare.
View the official OPW flood maps for Kilcullen →
Source: Office of Public Works, floodinfo.ie. No OPW flood-extent values are reproduced here.
County context
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Population (2022 Census) | 247,774 |
| Population change 2016 to 2022 | +11.4% |
| Disposable income per person (index, State = 100) | 103.8 |
| New dwelling permissions (Mid-East region, 2017) | 657 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 Kildare towns
Maynooth · Leixlip · Naas · Kilcock · Celbridge · Kill
All Kildare 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 Kilcullen
What's it like to live in Kilcullen?
Kilcullen is a town in Co. Kildare, about 43 minutes from Dublin city centre by car and on the rail line, 6 schools, 70.1% of households own their home (CSO Census 2022, Department of Education, Transport for Ireland).
How much does it cost to live in Kilcullen?
A home in Kilcullen costs a median €429,969 to buy or €1,505 a month to rent (RTB Q4 2025), a 4.2% gross yield (Property Price Register, RTB via CSO).
How long is the commute from Kilcullen to Dublin?
About 43 minutes to Dublin city centre by car and on the rail line, estimated.
What schools are in Kilcullen?
Schools in Kilcullen include Cross And Passion College, St Brigids N S, Ursaille Naofa, St Brigids N S, among 5 primary and 1 post-primary in total (Department of Education, 2024/25).
What is the population of Kilcullen?
Kilcullen had a population of 3,815 at the 2022 Census (CSO).
Population and demographics
Kilcullen had a population of 3,815 at the 2022 Census.
| Population (2022 Census) | 3,815 |
|---|---|
| Households | 1,350 |
| Owner-occupied homes | 70% |
| Rented homes | 26% |
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 51 sales recorded to July 2026. Over the 12 months to 25 September 2026 the median was €429,969.
Could a home in Kilcullen pay as a buy-to-let?
Pre-filled with Kilcullen's median price and average rent (RTB Q4 2025). Change any 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 Kilcullen?
Pre-filled with Kilcullen'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 Kilcullen property
Pre-filled with Kilcullen'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 Kilcullen home
Pre-filled with Kilcullen'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 Kilcullen
Pre-filled with Kilcullen's average rent (RTB). From 1 March 2026 all private tenancies in Ireland 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 Kilcullen costs
Real figures for Kilcullen: 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), Q4 2025. Ownership: repayment mortgage on Kilcullen'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 Kilcullen
- Kilcullen house prices: median, year trend and the latest sales recorded on the Property Price Register.
- Things to do in Kilcullen: attractions, heritage sites and walks nearby.
- What's on in Co. Kildare: festivals, markets and gigs, grouped by week and refreshed every Monday.
- Planning applications in Co. Kildare: what has been lodged, granted and refused in the last 12 months.