The Grangegorman neighbourhood was defined in the GDA Act 2005. It is made up of 8 electoral districts.

The Grangegorman Development area is an area of geographical natural boundaries, with a common history both culturally and industrially (Smithfield Markets are still significant employers in the area) contained within a 29-hectare site. It is located in close proximity to the City Centre. The site flanks both sides of Grangegorman Lower and Upper. The North Circular Road bounds the site to the north, Prussia Street and Stoneybatter to the west, with Brunswick Street to the south.

The area is quite diverse with pockets of affluence and deprivation. The Census 2016 revealed that the total population of the GDA area was 27,332.

Population has increased significantly between the intercensal periods of 2011 and 2016. Growth from 2006 to 2011 was 4.1%, followed by a 7% increase in population between 2011 and 2016. The 2016 population was 27,332 people.

Population growth in the NEIC was higher at 11% from 2011 to 2016 (45,816 total population). 53% of the population are aged between 20-39 years and the proportion between 25-29 years (17.4%) is the largest age cohort in 2016. Largest growth was recorded in the 40-49 age bracket (20% growth during 2011 and 2016). The number of male and female between 20-24 years significantly declined (13% and 6% respectively). The proportion of the population over 55 years increased by 11% during 2011 and 2016.

• The population was mostly Irish nationals (63%), with Caucasian Irish the most prevalent ethnicity (54%). The number of people born overseas and residing in the Study Area increased by 3% between 2011 and 2016 to 34% (i.e. 8,769 people). The most common origin of those persons was ‘Other EU’ states (excluding Poland and Lithuania) and the ‘Rest of the World’ (both 14% of the total population).

• Unemployment decreased by 30% from 2011 to 2016, with people ‘at work’ increasing by 23.34% in the same period. Female employment increased by 4.4% (2.2% decrease in unemployment), whilst male employment increased by 10.7% (7.3% decrease in unemployment). The economically active population increased by 11% (which includes people at work, looking for their first regular job and unemployed people having lost or given up their previous job). 9% unemployment was evident with the working age population (aged 15 years and older) of the Study Area in 2016.

• The number of households only increased by 1% during 2011 – 2016, which resulted in an increase in average household size to 2.22 (as the population increased by 7% as previously noted). The most prominent household compositions consisted of ‘one person’ households (33% of total households) and ‘two or more non-related person’ households (18% of total households), with a 29% increase in the latter. Lone parent households made up 10% of 2016 number of households, which equates to a 15% decrease from 2011.

• The number of people with their highest level of qualification at ‘primary or lower’ decreased, compared to the increase in ‘up to leaving certification’ and ‘third or higher level’ qualifications achieved. 12% increase in female and 11% increase in males leaving school at the age of 20 and older.

The GDA area is a very diverse and unique place. With a large number of non-Irish nationals this creates a vibrant and multi-cultural atmosphere. The diverse range of nationalities and ethnicities also presents specific challenges to inclusion.

The TU Dublin campus provides the opportunities for children and parents to participate in events and classroom activities on the TU Dublin Campus, tackling some of the barriers to further/higher education from an early age.