For parents and guardians planning their family’s future, choosing the right place to live goes far beyond proximity to work or extended family.
Factors such as education, housing affordability, safety, green spaces, and access to local amenities all play a major role in shaping childhood experiences and family well‑being.
So, with more than one in five households with children having three or more kids, the highest proportion in the European Union, which counties in Ireland are the best to raise a family?
To answer this, the experts at home insurance comparison site Quote Devil have analysed a range of metrics, including the number of schools, average house prices, crime rates, access to green spaces, and local amenities to reveal Ireland’s best counties for family living.
Mayo ranks as the most family-friendly county in Ireland, offering families a balance of safety, schooling, and lifestyle. The county’s relatively low crime rate of 297 incidents per 10,000 residents makes it a relatively reassuring choice for parents, while 151 primary schools and 26 post-primary schools provide fair educational access across the region.
Donegal takes the second spot and stands out as the second-most affordable in the top ten, with a median house price of €165,000, making it particularly attractive for growing families. It also has the highest number of primary schools among the leaders at 171, improving access to local education, and offers 5.7 parks per 10,000 residents, supporting outdoor family life.
Kerry rounds out the top three, leading with some of the best access to green space, with 7.1 parks per 10,000 residents, giving families plenty of room for recreation and outdoor activities. The county also benefits from strong access to everyday amenities, including 2.05 supermarkets per 10,000 residents, helping make daily life more convenient for busy households. While house prices are slightly higher than Mayo and Donegal at €260,000, Kerry’s blend of lifestyle, schooling, and accessibility helps secure its family-friendly spot.
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While every county offers its own strengths, some places have varying factors that make day-to-day life slightly more challenging
Kildare ranks as the county facing the biggest challenge when it comes to family living, driven mainly by housing pressures, crime rate and limited access to green space. With a median house price of €415,000, affordability remains a major barrier for many households. Outdoor amenities are also relatively scarce, with only 0.8 parks per 10,000 residents, noticeably lower than in other counties. The county’s reported crime rate of 510.5 per 10,000 is higher than in several other areas, contributing to its spot in first place.
Louth comes second, with higher crime levels and more limited schooling options feeding into its ranking. The county has 69 primary schools and 18 post‑primary schools, noticeably fewer than Kildare, which can constrain educational access for families. Reported crime is the highest among the top three counties at 659.8per 10,000 residents.
Wicklow rounds out the top three, securing its spot largely due to high housing costs and limited everyday amenities. With a median house price of €445,000, the highest among the top 10 counties, affordability is a significant challenge for families. Supermarket density is particularly low at 0.26 per 10,000 residents, meaning routine shopping often requires more planning and travel.
Conor Mulcahy, Head of Product & Renewals at Quote Devil, says: “It’s important to note that ‘challenging’ doesn’t mean unsuitable. Many of these counties are still hugely popular with families thanks to strong communities, good job prospects, and reliable transport links.”
“Wherever you decide to settle, it’s worth protecting your home with the right home insurance, especially in areas where affordability or safety pressures are higher. Even when you’ve considered external factors like schools, green space, and local amenities in your county, family-friendly living also starts at home. Simple safety steps inside the house can make a big difference for peace of mind, daily convenience, and insurance readiness.”
The best counties to raise a family in Ireland:
- Mayo
- Donegal
- Kerry
- Sligo
- Clare
- Roscommon
- Longford
- Cork
- Dublin
- Leitrim
You can view the study in full here.
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