line, which opened in 1861, but this was several miles south of the village and was renamed Groomsport Road; that line closed in 1950. The population was only 360 in the 1951 Census but this has increased substantially in the last few years with the construction of new housing developments. The harbour has found new popularity, with a sailing club and a collection of pleasure craft. Two former fishermen's cottages by the harbour have been restored as an attraction for visitors. Sport Groomsport F.C. play in the Northern Amateur Football League. 2011 census Groomsport is classified as a settlement within Belfast Metropolitan Urban Area (BMUA) by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA). On Census Day (27 March 2011) the usually resident population of Groomsport Ward was 3,005 accounting for 0.17% of the NI total. The demographic characteristics of the people living in Groomsport were as follows: 11.95% were aged under 16 years and 29.58% were aged 65 and over; 47.99% of the usually resident population were male and 52.01% were female; and 53 years was the average (median) age of the population. 98.90% were from the white (including Irish Traveller) ethnic group; 7.59% belong to or were brought up in the Catholic religion and 82.90% belong to or were brought up in a 'Protestant and Other Christian (including Christian related)' religion; and 75.14% indicated that they had a British national identity, 7.19% had an Irish national identity and 34.11% had a Northern Irish national identity*. Respondents could indicate more than one national identity On Census Day 27 March 2011, in Groomsport Ward, considering the population aged 3 years old and over: 2.31% had some knowledge of Irish;10.58% had some knowledge of Ulster-Scots; and 0.85% did not have English as their first language. See also List of villages in Northern Ireland List of towns in Northern Ireland References External links Official Groomsport Web Site Groomsport Tourist Information Ards and North Down Borough Council - Groomsport Villages in County Down Townlands of County Down Civil parish of Bangor