The population of Dún Chaoin is 174 (1996) and farming, tourism services and part-time fishing make up most of the local employment. Many members of the community work outside the parish in Dingle and other towns.

The people of Dún Chaoin speak Irish today and they are proud of the links which they have maintained with their native culture and with the descendants of many emigrants who left for a new life in America, England and other countries.

The parish has a Church, a Primary School, a Pub, a Youth Hostel, an Adult Irish learning centre and Restaurants. The Office of Public Works operates the Great Blasket Centre which provides exhibitions and presentations on the life of the Islands. A ferry operates from the local pier to the Blasket Islands during the summer. Sandy beaches are within a few kilometres and Dingle Town is 16 kilometres to the east. There is a daily bus service during the summer months and a less frequent service during the rest of the year.
The Dingle Way Walking Route passes through Dún Chaoin on its perambulation of Slea Head.