Cities, towns, and villages in Northern Ireland are the focus of this portion of our web guide.

In Northern Ireland, city status is a ceremonial designation granted by the monarch rather than based on specific criteria like population size or economic status. It is primarily a symbolic honor and does not confer additional legal powers.

Historically, cities were settlements with a cathedral, although this is no longer a strict requirement. In recent years, city status has been granted as a result of competitive bids. Towns applying for city status typically submit a bid highlighting noble attributes, historical significance, community spirit, and other factors that might make the town worthy of the title. Bangor was granted city status in 2022 as part of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Celebration.

Northern Ireland has only six cities: Belfast, Derry/Londonderry, Armagh, Newry, Lisburn, and Bangor.

At this time, the ten most populous localities in Northern Ireland are Belfast, Londonderry, Craigavon, Newtownabbey, Bangor, Lisburn, Ballymena, Newtownards, Newry, and Carrickfergus.

The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency uses the following definition regarding localities.

Towns have a population of 4,500 or more. Large towns have populations between 18,000 and 75,000; medium towns have populations between 10,000 and 18,000; and small towns have populations between 4,500 and 10,000.

Intermediate settlements have populations between 2,250 and 4/500.

Villages have populations between 1,000 and 2,250, while small villages or hamlets have populations of fewer than 1,000.

This category features any of these localities, whatever their designation, status, or population.

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