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-Bois
City in Seine-Saint-Denis
FSeine-Saint-Denis93Île-de-France
- Population
- 87,951 inhab.
- 53rd in France · 4th in its department
- Area
- 16.2 km²
- Density
- 5,429 per km²
Dunkerque
City in Nord
- Population
- 87,442 inhab.
- 54th in France · 4th in its department
- Area
- 43.9 km²
- Density
- 1,992 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
Aulnay-sous-BoisDunkerque
| Criterion | Aulnay-sous-Bois | Dunkerque | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Aulnay-sous-Bois+0.6% | 87,951 | 87,442 | More 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 high | 5,429 | 1,992 | Denser: Aulnay-sous-Bois2.7 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Aulnay-sous-Bois+6.2 pts | 22.5% | 16.3% | More young people: Aulnay-sous-Bois+6.2 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Dunkerque+9.2 pts | 13.6% | 22.8% | More seniors: Dunkerque+9.2 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Aulnay-sous-Bois+0.74 | 2.75 | 2.01 | Larger households: Aulnay-sous-Bois+0.74 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Aulnay-sous-Bois | Dunkerque | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Aulnay-sous-Bois+68% | 3,593 | 2,144 | More expensive: Aulnay-sous-Bois+68% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Aulnay-sous-Bois+96% | 3,796 | 1,939 | More expensive: Aulnay-sous-Bois+96% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Aulnay-sous-Bois+44% | 19.5 | 13.5 | More expensive: Aulnay-sous-Bois+44% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Aulnay-sous-Bois+65% | 18.3 | 11.1 | More expensive: Aulnay-sous-Bois+65% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Dunkerque+0.4 pt | 45.1% | 45.5% | More homeowners: Dunkerque+0.4 pt |
| Share of housesMore houses: Dunkerque+1.3 pt | 39.4% | 40.7% | More houses: Dunkerque+1.3 pt |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residences | 37.4% | — | |
| Second homesMore second homes: Dunkerque+3.0 pts | 0.9% | 3.9% | More second homes: Dunkerque+3.0 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Dunkerque+2.7 pts | 4.2% | 6.9% | More vacant homes: Dunkerque+2.7 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Dunkerque+20 pts | 31.85% | 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
| Criterion | Aulnay-sous-Bois | Dunkerque | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Dunkerque+9% | 20,930 | 22,790 | Higher: Dunkerque+9% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Aulnay-sous-Bois+7.1 pts | 29.8% | 22.7% | Higher: Aulnay-sous-Bois+7.1 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Dunkerque+2% | €25,129 | €25,682 | Higher: Dunkerque+2% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Dunkerque+3.5 pts | 37% | 40% | More taxpaying households: Dunkerque+3.5 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Dunkerque+2.3 pts | 69.8% | 72.1% | Higher: Dunkerque+2.3 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Dunkerque+1.4 pt | 16.6% | 17.9% | Higher: Dunkerque+1.4 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Aulnay-sous-Bois | Dunkerque | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Bruno Beschizza | Patrice Vergriete | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | Les Républicains | miscellaneous centre | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Aulnay-sous-Bois+4.8 pts | 98% | 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
| Criterion | Aulnay-sous-Bois | Dunkerque | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Dunkerque+53% | 39.1344 in total | 59.8523 in total | More shops per capita: Dunkerque+53% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Dunkerque+29% | 13.9122 in total | 17.8156 in total | More per capita: Dunkerque+29% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Dunkerque+34% | 27.7244 in total | 37.3326 in total | More per capita: Dunkerque+34% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Dunkerque+59% | 11.097 in total | 17.5153 in total | More per capita: Dunkerque+59% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Dunkerque+47% | 1.513 in total | 2.219 in total | More per capita: Dunkerque+47% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Dunkerque+89% | 0.98 in total | 1.715 in total | More per capita: Dunkerque+89% |
| Passenger train stationsTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Aulnay-sous-Bois | Dunkerque | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Dunkerque+36% | 2.6 | 3.5 | Better access: Dunkerque+36% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Dunkerque+63% | 5.145 in total | 8.373 in total | More per capita: Dunkerque+63% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aulnay-sous-Bois+12% | 15.2134 in total | 13.6119 in total | More per capita: Aulnay-sous-Bois+12% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Dunkerque+92% | 3.833 in total | 7.263 in total | More per capita: Dunkerque+92% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Dunkerque+77% | 2.421 in total | 4.237 in total | More per capita: Dunkerque+77% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Dunkerque+2 | 5 | 7 | More 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
| Criterion | Aulnay-sous-Bois | Dunkerque | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Aulnay-sous-Bois+4 | 56 | 52 | More schools: Aulnay-sous-Bois+4 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Dunkerque+1 | 12 | 13 | More middle schools: Dunkerque+1 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Dunkerque+5 | 7 | 12 | More high schools: Dunkerque+5 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Dunkerque+8 | 1 | 9 | More facilities: Dunkerque+8 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Aulnay-sous-Bois | Dunkerque | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Aulnay-sous-Bois+51% | 6.5 | 4.3 | Higher rate: Aulnay-sous-Bois+51% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Aulnay-sous-Bois+42% | 14.9 | 10.5 | Higher rate: Aulnay-sous-Bois+42% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Aulnay-sous-Bois+13% | 5.5 | 4.9 | Higher rate: Aulnay-sous-Bois+13% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Aulnay-sous-Bois2.9 times as high | 4.2 | 1.5 | Higher rate: Aulnay-sous-Bois2.9 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Dunkerque+4% | 11.3 | 11.8 | Higher 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
| Criterion | Aulnay-sous-Bois | Dunkerque | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Aulnay-sous-Bois+0.4 °C | 12.1°C | 11.7°C | Warmer: Aulnay-sous-Bois+0.4 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,634 | — | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Dunkerque+12% | 616 | 691 | Wetter: Dunkerque+12% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Dunkerque+11 days/year | 110 | 121 | More rainy days: Dunkerque+11 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Aulnay-sous-Bois+20 days/year | 37 | 17 | More frost days: Aulnay-sous-Bois+20 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Aulnay-sous-Bois+11 days/year | 13 | 2 | More 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
| Criterion | Aulnay-sous-Bois | Dunkerque | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Dunkerque+12 | 14 | 26 | More declarations: Dunkerque+12 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Aulnay-sous-Bois | Dunkerque | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Dunkerque2.7 times as high | 16.2 | 43.9 | Larger: Dunkerque2.7 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Aulnay-sous-Bois+41 m | 47 m | 7 m | Higher: Aulnay-sous-Bois+41 m |
| Coastal commune | No | Yes (sea) | |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Seine-Saint-Denis (93) | Nord (59) | |
| Intercommunality | Métropole du Grand Paris | Communauté urbaine de Dunkerque | |
| Urban unit | Paris | Dunkerque | |
| Functional area | Paris | Dunkerque |
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
| Criterion | Aulnay-sous-Bois | Dunkerque |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 87,951 | 87,442 |
| Change over 10 years | +6.0% | −4.0% |
| Density per km² | 5,429 | 1,992 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 3,593 | 2,144 |
| Median house price €/m² | 3,796 | 1,939 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 19.5 | 13.5 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 31.85% | 51.49% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 20,930 | 22,790 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 16.6% | 17.9% |
| Premises with fiber | 98% | 93% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 2.6 | 3.5 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 6.5 | 4.3 |
| Average temperature | 12.1°C | 11.7°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,634 | — |
| Area km² | 16.2 | 43.9 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
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
