Kilkenny Population 2026
Kilkenny has a population of 21,589, making it the #25 biggest city in 🇮🇪 Ireland, located in Leinster. Roughly 0.4% of Ireland's population lives here. It is about 47× smaller than Dublin, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
21,589
Rank in Ireland
#25
Coordinates
52.65°N, 7.25°W
~48 m elevation · Europe/Dublin
Distance to capital (Dublin)
101 km
63 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Leinster
Cities near Kilkenny
- Carlow27,351 people · ~30 km away
- Portlaoise23,494 people · ~42 km away
- Waterford60,079 people · ~45 km away
- Cluain Meala18,369 people · ~45 km away
- Wexford21,524 people · ~65 km away
- Droichead Nua22,742 people · ~66 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Kilkenny?
Kilkenny has a population of 21,589 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #25 biggest city in Ireland.
What region is Kilkenny in?
Kilkenny is located in Leinster, Ireland.
Is Kilkenny the capital of Ireland?
No, the capital of Ireland is Dublin, about 101 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.
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