Living in Ratoath, Co. Meath: Schools, Commute & House Prices 2026
On this page
- Who lives in Ratoath
- Commuting to Dublin
- Getting around Ratoath
- Schools in Ratoath
- Things to do in and around Ratoath
- Where Ratoath is
- What it costs: house prices and rent in Ratoath
- Before you move: planning and flood
- Recent development in Ratoath
- Flood maps
- County context
- Common questions about living in Ratoath
- Nearby Meath towns
- Population and demographics
Is Ratoath a nice place to live?
Ratoath is home to about 3,041 households, 79% owner-occupied and 17% renting, according to Census 2022. The median sale price over the last 12 months was €455,000, versus €450,000 across the Mid-East region, and the average rent reported by the RTB is €1,860 a month. The Department of Education dataset lists 6 schools keyed to the town (5 primary, 1 post-primary), and there are 7 visitor attractions within 10 km. The nearest rail station is M3 Parkway, 8.1 km away, and 8 bus and rail routes serve the town. The sections below break each of these down.
Ratoath is a town in Co. Meath, about 27 minutes from Dublin city centre by car and on the rail line, 6 schools, 78.6% of households own their home. Living here costs a median €455,000 to buy or €1,860 a month to rent (RTB Q4 2025) (a 4.9% gross yield).
Official CSO, Department of Education, Transport for Ireland, PPR & RTB data · 100 sales · PPR sales to Sep 2026 · CSO benchmark to Jul 2026 · rents Q4 2025 (RTB)
Who lives in Ratoath: 78.6% own their home, full Census breakdown
Who lives in Ratoath
10,077 people live in Ratoath on Census 2022 night. 79% of households own their home and 17% rent, so Ratoath leans towards owner occupiers. The most common way to commute is by car (60%). It skews young: 24% are under 15 against 5% aged 65 and over. 49% of those who have finished education hold a third level qualification.
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Population (2022) | 10,077 |
| Owner-occupied households | 79% |
| Rented households | 17% |
| Aged under 15 | 24% |
| Aged 25 to 44 | 24% |
| Aged 65 and over | 5% |
| Third level or higher | 49% |
| At work (aged 15+) | 65% |
| Unemployment rate | 4% |
| Commute by car | 60% |
| Commute by public transport | 11% |
| Commute on foot or bike | 25% |
Source: CSO Census 2022 Small Area Population Statistics for the Ratoath built-up area, CC-BY 4.0.
Commuting to Dublin
Nearest train station: M3 Parkway (8.1 km away), on the Maynooth line
Public transport serving Ratoath: 3 operators
Getting around Ratoath
Ratoath is served by 3 public-transport operators running 8 scheduled routes. Operators are Ashbourne Connect, Bus Éireann and Streamline Coaches.
| Operator | Mode |
|---|---|
| Ashbourne Connect | Bus / coach |
| Bus Éireann | Bus / coach |
| Streamline Coaches | Bus / coach |
Scheduled routes
- 103 - Dublin - Ashbourne - Ratoath
- 105 - Blanchardstown - Ashbourne - Ashbourne - Drogheda
- 109 - Dublin - Navan - Kells - Cavan
- 194 - Ratoath - Dublin
- 105X - UCD - M3 - Ratoath - Ashbourne
- 109A - DCU - Airport - Ratoath - Navan
- 109B - Dublin - Dunshaughlin - Trim
- UM03 - Dundalk - Drogheda - 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 Ratoath
There are 5 primary and 1 post-primary schools in and around Ratoath.
| School | Level | Pupils | DEIS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ratoath College | Post-primary | 1112 | |
| St Pauls Ns | Primary | 565 | |
| Ratoath Senior Ns | Primary | 319 | |
| S N Rath Beagain | Primary | 219 | |
| Ratoath Junior N S | Primary | 213 | |
| S N Aindreis Naofa | Primary | 107 |
Source: Department of Education, Data on Individual Schools. CC-BY 4.0.
Things to do in and around Ratoath
- Heritage nearby: Skreen Church (11 km) · Hill of Tara (13 km) · Maynooth Castle (16 km) · Bective Abbey (18 km)
- Walking trails in County Meath: Royal Canal Way · Royal Canal Greenway Walking Trail · Drewstown Woods - Girley Bog walk · Littlewood - Forest Walk
Where Ratoath is
Map © OpenStreetMap contributors
What it costs: house prices and rent in Ratoath
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median sale price (12 mo) | €455,000 (-2.2% YoY) |
| Average monthly rent (Q4 2025) | €1,860 |
| Gross rental yield | 4.9% |
| Net yield (est.) | 3.8% |
| Meath county median | €450k |
| New build / second-hand | €454,960 / €459,050 |
Recent sales in Ratoath
| Date | Address | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Sep 26 | 26 COILL BEAG, RATOATH, MEATH | Second-hand | €627,000 |
| 15 Sep 26 | 33 STEEPLECHASE WOOD, RATOATH, MEATH | Second-hand | €620,000 |
| 11 Sep 26 | 13 THE VILLAGE GREEN, RATOATH, MEATH | Second-hand | €400,000 |
| 10 Sep 26 | 18 STEPLECHASE HILL, RATOATH, MEATH | Second-hand | €440,000 |
| 10 Sep 26 | 79 STEEPLECHASE GREEN, RATOATH, MEATH | Second-hand | €390,000 |
| 07 Sep 26 | 11 THE PINES FAIRYHOUSE RD, RATOATH, MEATH | Second-hand | €290,000 |
| 04 Sep 26 | 115 STEEPLECHASE GREEN, RATOATH, MEATH | Second-hand | €420,000 |
| 02 Sep 26 | 37 MEADOWBANK HILL, RATOATH, MEATH | Second-hand | €585,000 |
Actual sale prices from the Property Price Register, verifiable at propertypriceregister.ie.
Ratoath median price, year by year
| Year | Median | Relative | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | €401,250 | 112 sales | |
| 2024 | €441,500 | 92 sales | |
| 2025 | €455,000 | 99 sales | |
| 2026 | €460,000 | 64 sales |
Average rent by size (Q4 2025)
| 1-bed | 2-bed | 3-bed | 4+ bed |
|---|---|---|---|
| n/a | n/a | €1,978 | n/a |
Maximum legal rent increase in Ratoath
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
Ratoath compared with County Meath
| County | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|
| Ratoath | 455000 | |
| County Meath median | 450000 |
Rent or buy in Ratoath?
At a glance: €455,000 to buy versus €1,860 a month to rent (RTB Q4 2025), a 4.9% gross yield.
Local Property Tax in Ratoath
The median home (€455,000) falls in LPT Band 4, a base charge of €428 a year before Meath County Council's local adjustment factor. Use the calculator for your exact valuation.
Renting in Ratoath: 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 Ratoath
In the 12 months to September 2026, 44 planning grants were recorded in and around Ratoath, including 510 new homes approved across those grants.
| Decided | Development | Homes |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-04 | Permission for a Large-Scale Residential Development - planning permission for a Large-scale Residential Development consisting of modifications to... | 240 |
| 2025-12-04 | Amendments to the ‘Large-Scale Residential Development’ (LRD) permitted at a site under Reg. Ref. 24/60487 / ABP Ref. 321753-25. The LRD site has a... | 130 |
| 2025-11-12 | The proposed development consists of 74no residential units comprising 66no houses (14no 2bed, 46no 3bed and 6no 4bed) in a mix of semi-detached and... | 74 |
| 2026-06-16 | the proposed development will consist of: Amendments to provide for change of house types and minor reconfiguration of housing development previously... | 40 |
| 2026-02-06 | File Ref: 21788 - Detached two-storey dwelling with detached garage, installation of wastewater treatment system and percolation | 2 |
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 510 homes approved here in the last year are about 17% of Ratoath's roughly 3,041 households, a supply pipeline that typically eases price pressure.
Flood maps
For the modelled fluvial, coastal and pluvial flood extents around Ratoath, open the official OPW flood maps, the authoritative source for Ratoath, Meath.
View the official OPW flood maps for Ratoath →
Source: Office of Public Works, floodinfo.ie. No OPW flood-extent values are reproduced here.
County context
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Population (2022 Census) | 220,826 |
| Population change 2016 to 2022 | +13.2% |
| Disposable income per person (index, State = 100) | 98.4 |
| 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 Meath towns
Dunboyne · Ashbourne · Dunshaughlin · Clonee · Stamullen · Trim
All Meath 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 Ratoath
What's it like to live in Ratoath?
Ratoath is a town in Co. Meath, about 27 minutes from Dublin city centre by car and on the rail line, 6 schools, 78.6% of households own their home (CSO Census 2022, Department of Education, Transport for Ireland).
How much does it cost to live in Ratoath?
A home in Ratoath costs a median €455,000 to buy or €1,860 a month to rent (RTB Q4 2025), a 4.9% gross yield (Property Price Register, RTB via CSO).
How long is the commute from Ratoath to Dublin?
About 27 minutes to Dublin city centre by car and on the rail line, estimated.
What schools are in Ratoath?
Schools in Ratoath include Ratoath College, St Pauls Ns, Ratoath Senior Ns, S N Rath Beagain, among 5 primary and 1 post-primary in total (Department of Education, 2024/25).
What is the population of Ratoath?
Ratoath had a population of 10,077 at the 2022 Census (CSO).
Population and demographics
Ratoath had a population of 10,077 at the 2022 Census.
| Population (2022 Census) | 10,077 |
|---|---|
| Households | 3,041 |
| Owner-occupied homes | 79% |
| Rented homes | 17% |
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 64 sales recorded to July 2026. Over the 12 months to 25 September 2026 the median was €455,000.
Could a home in Ratoath pay as a buy-to-let?
Pre-filled with Ratoath'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 Ratoath?
Pre-filled with Ratoath'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 Ratoath property
Pre-filled with Ratoath'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 Ratoath home
Pre-filled with Ratoath'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 Ratoath
Pre-filled with Ratoath'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 Ratoath costs
Real figures for Ratoath: RTB average rent and an ownership estimate built on the median sale price. Adjust the mortgage rate and deposit and it recalculates instantly.
Average rent by size: 3 bed €1,978
Rent: RTB average monthly rents (RIQ02), Q4 2025. Ownership: repayment mortgage on Ratoath'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 Ratoath
- Ratoath house prices: median, year trend and the latest sales recorded on the Property Price Register.
- Things to do in Ratoath: attractions, heritage sites and walks nearby.
- What's on in Co. Meath: festivals, markets and gigs, grouped by week and refreshed every Monday.
- Planning applications in Co. Meath: what has been lodged, granted and refused in the last 12 months.
Weighing it against somewhere else? See Ratoath vs Ashbourne for a family and Ratoath vs Dunshaughlin for a family, side by side on price, rent, yield and rail access.