Preliminary census figures show Limerick’s population has grown by more than 10,000 people since 2016.

The Central Bureau of Statistics released its preliminary results from the 2022 census, 12 weeks after the forms were filled out.

Results are based on initial counts of over 5,000 enumeration areas.

Preliminary results show the population of the city and county of Limerick was recorded at 205,444 on April 3.

The population included 103,223 females and 102,221 males. This is an increase of 10,545 since 2016.

This consisted of a natural increase (i.e. births minus deaths) of 6,111 and an estimated net immigration (i.e. population change minus natural) of 4,434.

The total housing stock in the City and County of Limerick in April 2022 was 85,776. This shows an increase of 3,664 since 2016.

There were 6,643 vacant homes, down 1,109 from 2016. This does not include holiday homes, which were 642.

The CSO will release the full 2022 Census results between April and December 2023.

Work has already started on the next census to be held in 2027 and will include an online response option for the first time.