As of January 1, 2022, the Loire had 772,041 inhabitants. This modest increase testifies to the attractiveness and vitality of the territory, driven by a recognized quality of life and a dynamic economic fabric.
Saint-Étienne in the lead, Saint-Chamond climbs to second place
Saint-Étienne retains its status as the most populous municipality in the department in 2024 with 172,569 inhabitants, despite a loss of 149 residents in one year. The surprise comes from Saint-Chamond, which passes Roanne to become the second most populated commune in the Loire. The central town of the Gier valley recorded notable growth with 518 new inhabitants, bringing its total to 35,586. Roanne, for its part, fell to third position with 35,364 inhabitants.
Firminy (17,128 inhabitants) and Montbrison (16,098 inhabitants) complete the top 5 most populated towns in the Loire.
A contained but significant progression
Between 2016 and 2022, the natural balance of the Loire (difference between births and deaths) remained stable, while the migratory balance (the arrival of new inhabitants) showed a slight increase of 0.2%. These indicators reflect a dynamic of installation in the territory.
Municipalities making strong progress
Certain municipalities of 2,000 inhabitants or more stand out for their growth:
- Bonson : +2.7%, reaching 4,478 inhabitants.
- The State : +1.5%, for a total of 2,820 inhabitants.
- Champdieu : +1.3%, with 2,035 inhabitants.
- Villerest : +1.1%, bringing its population to 5,175 inhabitants.
- Saint-Marcellin-en-Forez : +1.1%, with 5,088 inhabitants.
Declining municipalities
On the other hand, several localities are recording a decline in their population:
- Boën-sur-Lignon : –1.5%, for a current population of 3,017 inhabitants.
- Balbigny : –1%, totaling 2,848 inhabitants.
- Other municipalities like Mably (7 246 habitants), Villars (7,705 inhabitants) and United (8,495 inhabitants) are also in decline.
An attractive territory despite the challenges
These data confirm the attractiveness of the Loire, which manages to maintain a stable population and attract new residents despite economic and demographic challenges. With towns like Saint-Chamond regaining strategic positions and municipalities experiencing full growth, the department continues to write a story of dynamism and resilience.
