En this holiday season, you may have seen “The Count of Monte Cristo” on replay, certainly read a Christmas story to your children, but probably not analyzed the accounts provided by the National Institute of Statistics and economic studies (INSEE). The census data, published Thursday, December 19, is nevertheless important: the figures for the evolution of the population over the period 2016-2022 come into force this Wednesday, January 1, 2025. They determine the number of seats in municipal councils, the equipment needs or the amount of State participation.
1 The migration balance compensates for the natural balance
The Dordogne had 416,325 inhabitants in 2022, compared to 414,789 inhabitants in 2014. This average increase of 256 inhabitants per year is largely explained by an increase in apparent net migration. This data is calculated by the difference between the total population variation between two censuses and the natural balance (death/birth ratio) during the same period.
The natural balance was negative over the period – there were more deaths than births – but the evolution of the apparent migratory balance illustrates the settlement of neo-rurals in the territory. While the latter was only 0.4% per year over the period 2011-2016, it increased to 0.7% per year over the period 2016-2022. One of the reasons for this progression is the increased desire of certain city dwellers to move to the countryside after the health crisis.
2 Mixed developments in the cities
Prefectural city, Périgueux remains the most populous town in Dordogne: its 2022 reference population stands at 29,912 people, a stable figure compared to 2016. Boulazac-Isle-Manoire, the third largest commune in the department, records a further increase in its population which stands at 10,628 souls.
Bergerac (2nd in Dordogne), Sarlat (4th) and Coulounieix-Chamiers are losing ground. Despite an increase since 2020, the city of Cyrano lost 417 inhabitants over the period 2016-2022 (26,852) and that of La Boétie, 160 (8,786 inhabitants). The trend is even more obvious in Coulounieix-Chamiers which loses 411 inhabitants (7,537), a drop of around 5.2%.
3 A regular increase along the RN 21
If you map the demographic evolution and that of the Périgord road network, you will see a trend emerging: the population is increasing in several municipalities located along (or near) the RN 21, crossing the Nord department in South. Examples: + 23.3% in Saint-Pierre-de-Frugie, + 10.4% in Trélissac, + 20.2% in Saint-Paul-de-Serre, + 25.5% in Clermont-de-Beauregard, + 12.8% in Queyssac, + 16% in Saint-Laurent-des-Vignes or even + 13.2% in Saint-Capraise-d’Eymet.
Tops et flops
Strongest increase in inhabitants : Trélissac (7,319 inhabitants), + 690 inhabitants.
Highest percentage increase : Fleurac (320 inhabitants), + 30.1%.
Biggest drop in inhabitants : Bergerac (26,852 inhabitants), – 417 inhabitants.
Biggest decline in percentage : Orliac (45 inhabitants), – 26.2%.
