In the late 18th century the village comprised a bridge (over the River Blackwater at the intersection of the Comber/Saintfield and Killyleagh/Belfast roads), a dozen or so small houses and an inn. The surrounding townlands were populated by a great number of small tenant farmers and weavers. The main landlords were Lord Dufferin and Lord Londonderry.
From the mid-19th century through the early 20th century the population of the rural area surrounding Ballygowan declined considerably as many people emigrated to North America or found work in Comber, Saintfield and particularly in Belfast. However, it was during this period, and subsequent to the introduction of the Belfast & County Down Railway in 1850, that the village began to grow. Ballygowan railway station opened on 10 September 1858, but finally closed on 15 January 1950.[4] After the railway closed in 1950 the village became an attractive "dormitory" town and the ensuing 50 years have seen rapid growth.[5]
In the 2001 census, Ballygowan had a population of 2,671 people.
2011 census
On census day in 2011, 27 March 2011, the usually resident population of Ballygowan Ward was 2,957 (1,077 households).[3] Of these:
21.39% were aged under 16 years and 12.27% were aged 65 and over;
49.40% of the usually resident population were male and 50.60% were female, and 40 years was the average (median) age of the population.
99.09% were from the white (including Irish Traveller) ethnic group;
11.22% belong to or were brought up Catholic and
80.19% belong to or were brought up in a 'Protestant and Other Christian (including Christian related)'denominations;
75.81% indicated that they had a British national identity, 7.12% had an Irish national identity and 33.69% had a Northern Irish national identity (Respondents could indicate more than one national identity)
2021 Census
On census day in 2021, the usually resident population of Ballygowan was 3,138 (1,246 households)[6]. Of these:
51% were male, 49% were female
99% were from the white (including Irish Traveller) ethnic group
8% belong to or were brough up Catholic
78% belong to or were brought up as Protestant or other Christian religions
13% belong to no religion
52% identified as British only, 3% identified as Irish only and 21% identified as Northern Irish only. Respondents could indicate more than one national identity.
2% indicated some ability in Irish language, 12% indicated some ability in Ulster Scots
Education
Primary
Ballygowan has one primary school locally, seen at the top of the table below. Other schools are nearby.
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