A new profile of incomes shows households in the East and South East of Clare are faring much better than those in parts of the west and north of the county.
Figures compiled by the CSO shows the typical household in Clare takes in just over 42,000 euro per year, but in areas including Kilkee and parts of Ennis, the average income is thousands of euro less than this.
In the CSO’s latest profile of incomes, the typical household in Clare took in €42,196 in earnings in 2016.
The Clare figure is the highest in the Midwest, just ahead of Limerick and almost €3,000 more than Tipperary.
But on closer inspection, the figures show a huge disparity in earnings in different areas of the county.
Parts of the East and South East Clare fare best, with the highest typical gross household income recorded in Rossroe, near Kilmurry, Sixmilebridge , at over 75,000 euro.
That’s more than three times than the lowest earnings, in Kilkee.
Kilkee Councillor Cillian Murphy has pointed to the high levels of unemployment, due to an over-reliance on tourism, as being part of the problem.
The Fianna Fáil Councillor says the focus needs to shift to remote working.
Areas of Loop Head, and parts of North Clare are faring worst of all, generally, along with parts of Ennis.
Ennis Urban No. 2 has the second lowest income, according to the CSO.
That takes in parts of the Kilrush Road, as well as the Drumbiggle, Hermitage, Clancy Park, Parnell Street, Sumerhill and Market areas, as well as areas along the quays.
Mayor of Ennis, Fine Gael Coucnillor Johnny Flynn says an aging population is one of the reasons behind this, as well as difficulties in accessing third level education.
The figures show that nearly 15% of Clare households here rely on the state pension for their income.
Nationally, nearly two thirds of Irish households had a gross income of less than €60,000 but, in contrast, 14.1% had an income of €100,000 or more.
