Oldest Cities in Northern Ireland

Top 46 cities ranked by oldest cities

Largest Cities Smallest Cities Most Dense Least Dense Highest Income Lowest Income Lowest Unemployment Highest Unemployment Highest Home Value Most Affordable Youngest Cities Oldest Cities Warmest Cities Coldest Cities Rainiest Cities Driest Cities

All Countries · United Kingdom · Northern Ireland

Oldest Cities — Northern Ireland

1 Donaghadee 40.6

2 Dungannon 40.6

3 Cookstown 40.6

4 Downpatrick 40.6

5 Ballymoney 40.6

6 Ballyclare 40.6

7 Comber 40.6

8 Magherafelt 40.6

9 Portstewart 40.6

10 Carryduff 40.6

11 Warrenpoint 40.6

12 Newcastle 40.6

13 Limavady 40.6

14 Portrush 40.6

15 Kilkeel 40.6

16 Coalisland 40.6

17 Ballynahinch 40.6

18 Dromore 40.6

19 Ballycastle 40.6

20 Jordanstown 40.6

21 Randalstown 40.6

22 Crumlin 40.6

23 Greenisland 40.6

24 Coleraine 40.6

25 Londonderry County Borough 40.6

26 Derry 40.6

27 Lisburn 40.6

28 Newtownabbey 40.6

29 Bangor 40.6

30 Craigavon 40.6

31 Castlereagh 40.6

32 Newtownards 40.6

33 Carrickfergus 40.6

34 Ballymena 40.6

35 Newry 40.6

36 Belfast 40.6

37 Portadown 40.6

38 Omagh 40.6

39 Antrim 40.6

40 Larne 40.6

41 Banbridge 40.6

42 Armagh 40.6

43 Enniskillen 40.6

44 Strabane 40.6

45 Dundonald 40.6

46 Holywood 40.6

Cities with the oldest median ages in Northern Ireland often serve as popular retirement destinations or established communities with stable, long-term residents. Donaghadee has a median age of 40.6 years.

Older median ages can indicate strong healthcare systems, quality of life factors that encourage aging in place, or communities that are particularly attractive to retirees. These cities often feature robust healthcare infrastructure and senior services.

Communities with older populations face unique planning challenges including healthcare capacity, accessibility, transportation for non-drivers, and maintaining a tax base as the workforce ages. Many are adapting their infrastructure and services to meet these evolving needs.

Did You Know?

1. Half of Donaghadee's residents are over 40.6 years old.
2. Popular retirement destinations in Florida, Arizona, and the Carolinas dominate this list.
3. Cities with older populations typically have higher rates of homeownership and longer average residency periods.

Browse Rankings by Region

United Kingdom — By Region

England Northern Ireland Scotland Wales

By Country

Afghanistan Albania Algeria Angola Argentina Armenia Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bangladesh Belarus Belgium Benin Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Brazil Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Colombia Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czechia Democratic Republic of the Congo Denmark Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Estonia Ethiopia Finland France Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Greece Guadeloupe Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Haiti Honduras Hong Kong Hungary India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Ivory Coast Jamaica Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Lithuania Luxembourg Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Mali Malta Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Moldova Mongolia Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nepal New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria North Korea North Macedonia Norway Oman Pakistan Palestinian Territory Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Republic of the Congo Reunion Romania Russia Rwanda Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Somalia South Africa South Korea South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand The Netherlands Togo Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan Venezuela Vietnam Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe