Cookstown Facts and Figures
Cookstown Profile
Cookstown District occupies a central position in Northern Ireland, and is an area of outstanding natural beauty. It is situated between the contrasting scenery of Lough Neagh to the east and the rugged beauty of the Sperrin Mountains to the north west, offering some of Tyrone’s finest scenery and attractions.
The District has a population of 36,283 (2009), and covers approximately 622 square kilometres. Cookstown District has largely a rural population, with Cookstown town accounting for one third of the district’s population. Cookstown is the 15th most deprived district of Northern Ireland’s 26 districts, with 10% of its population living in the most disadvantaged areas of Northern Ireland. The main town is Cookstown, with five main villages namely, Ballyronan, Coagh, Moneymore, Pomeroy and Stewartstown.
A large proportion of employment within the District is focused on the manufacturing, construction and retail sectors. Unemployment levels have increased sharply in recent times, positioning Cookstown District slightly above the Northern Ireland average.
Cookstown town centre possesses a unique retail mix. Approximately up to two thirds of retailers are independent, and this is complemented by a wide range of multiples. The town centre has benefited from substantial investment over the last number of years, and is fast achieving its ambition to become the ‘Retail Capital of Mid Ulster’. Much work has also been undertaken to develop the District’s infrastructure, villages and rural communities with further investment planned.
A range of high quality amenities are available within the District including:
- Cookstown Leisure Centre
- The Mid Ulster Sports Arena
- Burnavon Arts & Cultural Centre
- Ballyronan Marina Complex
- Fully engineered Landfill Site
- Two licensed Recycling Centres
- A rich and varied natural environment from Lough Neagh in the east to the Sperrin Mountains in the West, complemented with historical sites such as Tullaghoge Fort, Beaghmore Stone Circles, Springhill, etc
- Cookstown town has established itself as a retail and entertainment centre of sub‐regional significance
The significant development of Cookstown District has been duly acknowledged in the recently published Regional Development Strategy 2025, which has designated Cookstown as one of the nine Sub Regional Centres in Northern Ireland. Sub Regional Centres have been identified as areas where new development ‘should be considered first in the decision process’ and are considered ‘best placed to perform higher service centre roles.’
Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA)
NISRA is the principal source of official statistics and social research on Northern Ireland´s population and socio-economic conditions.
Northern Ireland Neighbourhood Information Service (NINIS)
NINIS provides free access to statistical and locational information relating to town and villages across Northern Ireland. Information available across a range of themes including Population, Social Welfare, Agriculture and Education. Users will be able to obtain an area profile by entering a postcode or by selecting an area to view.
Traded Services Feasibility Study
A Traded Services Feasibility Study has recently been completed providing a review of existing traded services provision and identifying future actions to promote the development of this sector in both Cookstown/Mid Ulster and Cavan areas. This project which was supported by the Special EU Programmes Body, acting as Managing Authority for the European Union's INTERREG IVA Programme, was a joint project, led by Cookstown District Council and our partners Cavan County Enterprise Board and Cavan County Council.
