Largest City in France

2026 comparison

Aulnay-sous-Bois vs Dunkerque: 2026 comparison

Aulnay-sous-Bois has more inhabitants than Dunkerque: 87,951 versus 87,442, or 0.6% more. Dunkerque covers a larger area (43.9 km² versus 16.2 km²), but Aulnay-sous-Bois is more densely populated: 5,429 inhabitants per km² versus 1,992.

The median apartment price is higher in Aulnay-sous-Bois: €3,593 per m² versus €2,144. The median standard of living is higher in Dunkerque (€22,790 a year versus €20,930).

The two cities are 231 km apart as the crow flies.

Aulnay-sous-BoisDunkerque
Aulnay-sous-BoisDunkerque231 km as the crow flies

© Chabe01, CC BY-SA 4.0

Aulnay-sous-Bois

City in Seine-Saint-Denis

Seine-Saint-Denis93Île-de-France

Population
87,951 inhab.
53rd in France · 4th in its department
Area
16.2 km²
Density
5,429 per km²
Full profile of Aulnay-sous-Bois

Dunkerque

City in Nord

Nord59Hauts-de-France

Population
87,442 inhab.
54th in France · 4th in its department
Area
43.9 km²
Density
1,992 per km²
Full profile of Dunkerque

Population

Population and demographics

Municipal population since 1876

Aulnay-sous-BoisDunkerque

Population: Aulnay-sous-Bois and Dunkerque compared
CriterionAulnay-sous-BoisDunkerqueDifference
Population inhab.More populous: Aulnay-sous-Bois+0.6%87,95187,442More populous: Aulnay-sous-Bois+0.6%
Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Aulnay-sous-Bois+2.2 pts+1.5%−0.7%Stronger growth: Aulnay-sous-Bois+2.2 pts
Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Aulnay-sous-Bois+10 pts+6.0%−4.0%Stronger growth: Aulnay-sous-Bois+10 pts
Density per km²Denser: Aulnay-sous-Bois2.7 times as high5,4291,992Denser: Aulnay-sous-Bois2.7 times as high
Under 15More young people: Aulnay-sous-Bois+6.2 pts22.5%16.3%More young people: Aulnay-sous-Bois+6.2 pts
65 and overMore seniors: Dunkerque+9.2 pts13.6%22.8%More seniors: Dunkerque+9.2 pts
People per householdLarger households: Aulnay-sous-Bois+0.742.752.01Larger households: Aulnay-sous-Bois+0.74

Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census

Housing

Real estate prices and housing

Housing: Aulnay-sous-Bois and Dunkerque compared
CriterionAulnay-sous-BoisDunkerqueDifference
Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Aulnay-sous-Bois+68%3,5932,144More expensive: Aulnay-sous-Bois+68%
Median house price €/m²More expensive: Aulnay-sous-Bois+96%3,7961,939More expensive: Aulnay-sous-Bois+96%
Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Aulnay-sous-Bois+44%19.513.5More expensive: Aulnay-sous-Bois+44%
House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Aulnay-sous-Bois+65%18.311.1More expensive: Aulnay-sous-Bois+65%
Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Dunkerque+0.4 pt45.1%45.5%More homeowners: Dunkerque+0.4 pt
Share of housesMore houses: Dunkerque+1.3 pt39.4%40.7%More houses: Dunkerque+1.3 pt
Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residences37.4%—
Second homesMore second homes: Dunkerque+3.0 pts0.9%3.9%More second homes: Dunkerque+3.0 pts
Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Dunkerque+2.7 pts4.2%6.9%More vacant homes: Dunkerque+2.7 pts
Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Dunkerque+20 pts31.85%51.49%Higher rate: Dunkerque+20 pts

Sources: DGFiP (DVF), Ministry of Housing (rent map), INSEE, census, Ministry for the Ecological Transition (SRU), DGFiP, local taxation

Income and jobs

Residents’ income and jobs

Income and jobs: Aulnay-sous-Bois and Dunkerque compared
CriterionAulnay-sous-BoisDunkerqueDifference
Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Dunkerque+9%20,93022,790Higher: Dunkerque+9%
Poverty rateHigher: Aulnay-sous-Bois+7.1 pts29.8%22.7%Higher: Aulnay-sous-Bois+7.1 pts
Average taxable income per householdHigher: Dunkerque+2%€25,129€25,682Higher: Dunkerque+2%
Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Dunkerque+3.5 pts37%40%More taxpaying households: Dunkerque+3.5 pts
Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Dunkerque+2.3 pts69.8%72.1%Higher: Dunkerque+2.3 pts
Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Dunkerque+1.4 pt16.6%17.9%Higher: Dunkerque+1.4 pt

Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census

Local life

Town hall and fiber internet

Local life: Aulnay-sous-Bois and Dunkerque compared
CriterionAulnay-sous-BoisDunkerqueDifference
MayorBruno BeschizzaPatrice Vergriete
Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Les Républicainsmiscellaneous centre
Premises with fiberBetter covered: Aulnay-sous-Bois+4.8 pts98%93%Better covered: Aulnay-sous-Bois+4.8 pts

Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep

Shops and facilities

Shops, leisure and transportation

Shops and facilities: Aulnay-sous-Bois and Dunkerque compared
CriterionAulnay-sous-BoisDunkerqueDifference
Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Dunkerque+53%39.1344 in total59.8523 in totalMore shops per capita: Dunkerque+53%
Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Dunkerque+29%13.9122 in total17.8156 in totalMore per capita: Dunkerque+29%
Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Dunkerque+34%27.7244 in total37.3326 in totalMore per capita: Dunkerque+34%
Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Dunkerque+59%11.097 in total17.5153 in totalMore per capita: Dunkerque+59%
Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Dunkerque+47%1.513 in total2.219 in totalMore per capita: Dunkerque+47%
Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Dunkerque+89%0.98 in total1.715 in totalMore per capita: Dunkerque+89%
Passenger train stationsTie11Tie

Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)

Health

Health care

Health: Aulnay-sous-Bois and Dunkerque compared
CriterionAulnay-sous-BoisDunkerqueDifference
Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Dunkerque+36%2.63.5Better access: Dunkerque+36%
General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Dunkerque+63%5.145 in total8.373 in totalMore per capita: Dunkerque+63%
Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aulnay-sous-Bois+12%15.2134 in total13.6119 in totalMore per capita: Aulnay-sous-Bois+12%
Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Dunkerque+92%3.833 in total7.263 in totalMore per capita: Dunkerque+92%
Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Dunkerque+77%2.421 in total4.237 in totalMore per capita: Dunkerque+77%
HospitalsMore facilities: Dunkerque+257More facilities: Dunkerque+2

Practitioners and facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print); access to doctors includes those in neighboring communes. Sources: Ministry of Health (DREES), APL, INSEE, facilities database (BPE), Ministry of Health (Finess)

Education

Schools and colleges

Education: Aulnay-sous-Bois and Dunkerque compared
CriterionAulnay-sous-BoisDunkerqueDifference
Primary schoolsMore schools: Aulnay-sous-Bois+45652More schools: Aulnay-sous-Bois+4
Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Dunkerque+11213More middle schools: Dunkerque+1
High schoolsMore high schools: Dunkerque+5712More high schools: Dunkerque+5
Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Dunkerque+819More facilities: Dunkerque+8

Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)

Recorded crime

Offenses recorded by the police

Recorded crime: Aulnay-sous-Bois and Dunkerque compared
CriterionAulnay-sous-BoisDunkerqueDifference
Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Aulnay-sous-Bois+51%6.54.3Higher rate: Aulnay-sous-Bois+51%
Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Aulnay-sous-Bois+42%14.910.5Higher rate: Aulnay-sous-Bois+42%
Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Aulnay-sous-Bois+13%5.54.9Higher rate: Aulnay-sous-Bois+13%
Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Aulnay-sous-Bois2.9 times as high4.21.5Higher rate: Aulnay-sous-Bois2.9 times as high
Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Dunkerque+4%11.311.8Higher rate: Dunkerque+4%

Offenses recorded in the commune by the police and gendarmerie, per 1,000 inhabitants (per 1,000 homes for burglaries); this is not the actual crime level. Rates for the latest published year. Source: Ministry of the Interior (SSMSI)

Climate

Temperature, sunshine and rain

Climate: Aulnay-sous-Bois and Dunkerque compared
CriterionAulnay-sous-BoisDunkerqueDifference
Average temperatureWarmer: Aulnay-sous-Bois+0.4 °C12.1°C11.7°CWarmer: Aulnay-sous-Bois+0.4 °C
Sunshine h/year1,634—
Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Dunkerque+12%616691Wetter: Dunkerque+12%
Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Dunkerque+11 days/year110121More rainy days: Dunkerque+11 days/year
Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Aulnay-sous-Bois+20 days/year3717More frost days: Aulnay-sous-Bois+20 days/year
Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Aulnay-sous-Bois+11 days/year132More hot days: Aulnay-sous-Bois+11 days/year

Climate normals from the reference Météo-France station of each commune. Source: Météo-France, climate normals

Natural hazards

Natural disasters and prevention

Natural hazards: Aulnay-sous-Bois and Dunkerque compared
CriterionAulnay-sous-BoisDunkerqueDifference
Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Dunkerque+121426More declarations: Dunkerque+12
Natural hazard prevention plansTie11Tie
Radon potentialSameLowLowSame

Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN

Land

Area, terrain and administrative areas

Land: Aulnay-sous-Bois and Dunkerque compared
CriterionAulnay-sous-BoisDunkerqueDifference
Area km²Larger: Dunkerque2.7 times as high16.243.9Larger: Dunkerque2.7 times as high
Town hall elevationHigher: Aulnay-sous-Bois+41 m47 m7 mHigher: Aulnay-sous-Bois+41 m
Coastal communeNoYes (sea)
Density grid (INSEE)SameLarge urban centreLarge urban centreSame
DepartmentSeine-Saint-Denis (93)Nord (59)
IntercommunalityMétropole du Grand ParisCommunauté urbaine de Dunkerque
Urban unitParisDunkerque
Functional areaParisDunkerque

Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications

Summary

Aulnay-sous-Bois vs Dunkerque at a glance

Summary table: Aulnay-sous-Bois and Dunkerque
CriterionAulnay-sous-BoisDunkerque
Population inhab.87,95187,442
Change over 10 years+6.0%−4.0%
Density per km²5,4291,992
Median apartment price €/m²3,5932,144
Median house price €/m²3,7961,939
Apartment rent €/m²19.513.5
Property tax (combined rate)31.85%51.49%
Median standard of living €/year20,93022,790
Unemployment rate (census)16.6%17.9%
Premises with fiber98%93%
Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year2.63.5
Home burglaries per 1,000 homes6.54.3
Average temperature12.1°C11.7°C
Sunshine h/year1,634—
Area km²16.243.9

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FAQ

Aulnay-sous-Bois vs Dunkerque: your questions

Which is the larger city, Aulnay-sous-Bois or Dunkerque?

By population, Aulnay-sous-Bois: 87,951 inhabitants versus 87,442 for Dunkerque (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Aulnay-sous-Bois is the 53rd largest city in France, Dunkerque the 54th. By area, Dunkerque is the larger (43.9 km²).

How far is Aulnay-sous-Bois from Dunkerque?

Aulnay-sous-Bois and Dunkerque are 231 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.

Where is real estate more expensive, in Aulnay-sous-Bois or Dunkerque?

To buy an apartment, Aulnay-sous-Bois is more expensive: €3,593 per m² (median price), versus €2,144 in Dunkerque (+68%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).

Where is the standard of living higher, in Aulnay-sous-Bois or Dunkerque?

In Dunkerque, half of the residents have a standard of living above €22,790 a year, versus €20,930 in Aulnay-sous-Bois (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).

Are Aulnay-sous-Bois and Dunkerque in the same department?

No: Aulnay-sous-Bois is in Seine-Saint-Denis (93), in the Île-de-France region, and Dunkerque in Nord (59), in the Hauts-de-France region.

Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures

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