According to the 2006 census, there are 67,012 people living in Laois compared to 58,774 in 2002. This shows an increase of 8,238 or 14%. The increase in population did not take place in all the towns throughout the county, and indeed, some areas experienced a decline.
The two towns with the biggest rise in population are Portlaoise (from 8,934 in 2002 to 10,993 in 2006) and Portarlington which has had a massive increase of 55% (from 3,260 to 5,054). Stradbally's population however, fell from 1,634 to 1,565 during that period.
At present, there are more men than women living in Laois. Of the 67,012 people living in Laois, 34,334 are male while the remaining 32,678 are female.