Unsurprisingly, the latest figures from the population census highlight the attractiveness of the Landes coastline. It is the commune of Saubion which saw the largest increase in population between 2016 and 2022, with a jump of 30.8% (for a gain of 425 inhabitants). The small town of Biarrotte is the second in this statistical wave, with an increase of 30.1%.
Eleven other municipalities in the department are experiencing an increase in the number of their inhabitants of more than 20%. This is the case of Bénesse-Maremne, Magescq, Saint-Laurent-de-Gosse or Tosse, for example. In Chalosse, Gamarde-les-Bains sees its population increase by 22%. In the Mont-de-Marsan agglomeration, Campet-et-Lamolère stands out brilliantly with an increase of 29.2%, as does Saugnac-et-Muret in Haute Lande.
In terms of number of inhabitants, four municipalities are clearly doing well with an increase of more than a thousand people: Mont-de-Marsan (1,570), Parentis-en-Born (1,369), Biscarrosse (1,198 ) and Saint-Paul-lès-Dax (1,022).
135 municipalities lose residents
Otherwise, 135 municipalities in the Landes will see their number of inhabitants drop during this statistical wave from 2016 to 2022. The Community of Landes d'Armagnac is the most impacted. Lubbon (-26.6%) and Estigarde (-26.2%) are the municipalities with the highest percentage.
In terms of number of inhabitants, Grenade-sur-l'Adour is doing the least well, with a decline of 103 people, followed by Poyartin (-94) and Mugron (-77). Among the largest municipalities, Tartas, Habas, Saint-Martin-d'Oney, Oeyreluy and Hagetmau are also on a downward slope.
Already highlighted during the 2015-2021 period, the commune of Hossegor has a surprising uniqueness: it continues to lose inhabitants. Certainly at a slower rate (-0.9% during this census compared to -1.4% during the previous one). It is the only municipality within a radius of twenty kilometers to record this trend.
The village of Arx is still the least populated in Landes with 51 inhabitants.
Matthieu Sartre
At the bottom of the ranking, Arx, stuck on the border with Lot-et-Garonne, retains its status as the smallest commune in the Landes with 51 inhabitants. Over this 2016-2022 wave, its population drops by 22.7% with a loss of 15 inhabitants. But, compared to 1is January 2021, this small town in Landes d'Armagnac gained seven inhabitants (where it had 44). It is almost behind Baudignan which has 53 inhabitants.
The top 15 of Landes
1. Mont-de-Marsan, 31,455 inhabitants; 2. Dax, 21,716; 3. Biscarrosse, 15,412; Saint-Paul-lès-Dax, 14,114; 5. Tarnos, 12,900; 6. Saint-Pierre-du-Mont, 9,996; 7. Capbreton, 9,218; 8. Soustons, 8,445; 9. Saint-Vincent-de-Tyrosse, 8,051; 10. Parentis-en-Born, 7,463; 11. Mimizan, 7,449; 12. Labenne, 7,095; 13. Aire-sur-l’Adour, 6,215; 14. Ondres, 6,194; 15. Saint-Martin-de-Seignanx, 6,123.
