1. Belfast – 291,386
The capital and largest city; Northern Ireland’s major economic, governmental and cultural centre.
2. Derry (Londonderry) – 84,884
Second‑largest city and only walled city; known for rich history and maritime port.
3. Craigavon (urban area incl. Aghacommon) – 72,721
Planned large town/urban zone in Craigavon District; mixed residential and industrial area.
4. Newtownabbey (Metropolitan) – 67,112
Large suburban cluster north of Belfast; part of Belfast metro area.
5. Bangor – 64,122
Coastal large town on Belfast Lough; popular residential and tourism locale.
6. Castlereagh (Metropolitan) – 59,198
Suburban area east of Belfast; residential and service community.
7. Lisburn – 51,447
City-status town southwest of Belfast; industry and historic linen city.
8. Ballymena – 31,308
Large town in County Antrim; commercial and service centre for northeast NI.
9. Newtownards – 29,591
Large town east of Belfast; coastal commuter base and county town for Ards and North Down.
10. Newry – 28,026
City-status town straddling counties Down/Armagh; transport and commerce hub.
11. Carrickfergus – 27,886
Historic coastal town with Norman castle and ferry links to Scotland.
12. Antrim – 25,464
County town north-west of Belfast; gateway to Lough Neagh and major service centre.
13. Coleraine – 24,560
Large town on the north coast; home to university campus and Causeway Coast tourism.
14. Omagh – 20,353
County town of Tyrone; regional service centre serving central and western NI.
15. Larne – 18,794
Coastal port town; gateway for ferries to Scotland and industrial transport node.
16. Banbridge – 17,248
Large interior town; retail, commuting base, and regional transport links.
17. Armagh – 16,438
City-status historic city; ecclesiastical capital with cathedral heritage.
18. Dungannon – 16,361
Mid-Ulster town; significant agricultural and commerce hub inland.
19. Enniskillen – 14,120
Main town in Fermanagh; gateway to Lough Erne tourism and CROSS‑border services.
20. Craigavon (district town) – 13,948
Original Craigavon “town” within wider urban area; mixed-use residential zone.
The above is subject to change.
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