2026 comparison
Couëron vs Saint-Herblain: 2026 comparison
Saint-Herblain has more inhabitants than Couëron: 51,681 versus 24,367, or 2.1 times as many. Couëron covers a larger area (44.0 km² versus 30.0 km²), but Saint-Herblain is more densely populated: 1,722 inhabitants per km² versus 553.
The median apartment price is higher in Couëron: €3,075 per m² versus €2,642. The median standard of living is higher in Couëron (€27,510 a year versus €25,940).
The two cities are 9.0 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department and the same urban unit (Nantes).
Couëron
City in Loire-Atlantique
FLoire-Atlantique44Pays de la Loire
- Population
- 24,367 inhab.
- 377th in France · 8th in its department
- Area
- 44.0 km²
- Density
- 553 per km²
Saint-Herblain
City in Loire-Atlantique
FLoire-Atlantique44Pays de la Loire
- Population
- 51,681 inhab.
- 131st in France · 3rd in its department
- Area
- 30.0 km²
- Density
- 1,722 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
CouëronSaint-Herblain
| Criterion | Couëron | Saint-Herblain | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Saint-Herblain2.1 times as high | 24,367 | 51,681 | More populous: Saint-Herblain2.1 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Couëron+0.3 pt | +10.3% | +10.0% | Stronger growth: Couëron+0.3 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Couëron+3.6 pts | +20.0% | +16.4% | Stronger growth: Couëron+3.6 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Saint-Herblain3.1 times as high | 553 | 1,722 | Denser: Saint-Herblain3.1 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Couëron+2.4 pts | 20.1% | 17.8% | More young people: Couëron+2.4 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Saint-Herblain+3.2 pts | 15.5% | 18.7% | More seniors: Saint-Herblain+3.2 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Couëron+0.28 | 2.32 | 2.04 | Larger households: Couëron+0.28 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Couëron | Saint-Herblain | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Couëron+16% | 3,075 | 2,642 | More expensive: Couëron+16% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Herblain+4% | 3,206 | 3,350 | More expensive: Saint-Herblain+4% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Herblain+6% | 13.0 | 13.7 | More expensive: Saint-Herblain+6% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Herblain+10% | 12.0 | 13.1 | More expensive: Saint-Herblain+10% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Couëron+12 pts | 65.2% | 52.8% | More homeowners: Couëron+12 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Couëron+36 pts | 69.9% | 34.1% | More houses: Couëron+36 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Saint-Herblain+5.6 pts | 21.4% | 27.0% | More social housing: Saint-Herblain+5.6 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Saint-Herblain+1.0 pt | 0.9% | 1.9% | More second homes: Saint-Herblain+1.0 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Saint-Herblain+1.2 pt | 4.2% | 5.4% | More vacant homes: Saint-Herblain+1.2 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Couëron+0.9 pt | 47.26% | 46.35% | Higher rate: Couëron+0.9 pt |
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 | Couëron | Saint-Herblain | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Couëron+6% | 27,510 | 25,940 | Higher: Couëron+6% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Herblain+7.3 pts | 9.6% | 16.9% | Higher: Saint-Herblain+7.3 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Couëron+16% | €34,567 | €29,916 | Higher: Couëron+16% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Couëron+4.2 pts | 55% | 51% | More taxpaying households: Couëron+4.2 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Couëron+1.7 pt | 80.1% | 78.4% | Higher: Couëron+1.7 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Herblain+3.0 pts | 7.9% | 10.9% | Higher: Saint-Herblain+3.0 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Couëron | Saint-Herblain | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Axel Casenave | Bertrand Affilé | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous right | union of the left | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Couëron+0.6 pt | 99% | 98% | Better covered: Couëron+0.6 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Couëron | Saint-Herblain | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Saint-Herblain2.8 times as high | 21.853 in total | 60.6313 in total | More shops per capita: Saint-Herblain2.8 times as high |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Herblain+28% | 8.621 in total | 11.057 in total | More per capita: Saint-Herblain+28% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Herblain2.0 times as high | 15.237 in total | 30.6158 in total | More per capita: Saint-Herblain2.0 times as high |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Herblain+27% | 17.242 in total | 21.9113 in total | More per capita: Saint-Herblain+27% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Herblain2.0 times as high | 1.23 in total | 2.513 in total | More per capita: Saint-Herblain2.0 times as high |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Herblain6.1 times as high | 0.41 in total | 2.513 in total | More per capita: Saint-Herblain6.1 times as high |
| 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 | Couëron | Saint-Herblain | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Saint-Herblain+56% | 3.1 | 4.9 | Better access: Saint-Herblain+56% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Herblain+95% | 5.714 in total | 11.258 in total | More per capita: Saint-Herblain+95% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Herblain61 times as high | 0.82 in total | 50.1259 in total | More per capita: Saint-Herblain61 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Herblain+74% | 4.110 in total | 7.237 in total | More per capita: Saint-Herblain+74% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Herblain+65% | 1.64 in total | 2.714 in total | More per capita: Saint-Herblain+65% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Saint-Herblain+6 | 0 | 6 | More facilities: Saint-Herblain+6 |
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 | Couëron | Saint-Herblain | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Saint-Herblain+12 | 13 | 25 | More schools: Saint-Herblain+12 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Saint-Herblain+6 | 2 | 8 | More middle schools: Saint-Herblain+6 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Saint-Herblain+3 | 1 | 4 | More high schools: Saint-Herblain+3 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Saint-Herblain+11 | 0 | 11 | More facilities: Saint-Herblain+11 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Couëron | Saint-Herblain | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Saint-Herblain2.1 times as high | 4.2 | 9.0 | Higher rate: Saint-Herblain2.1 times as high |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Herblain3.7 times as high | 2.9 | 10.6 | Higher rate: Saint-Herblain3.7 times as high |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Herblain+68% | 1.8 | 3.0 | Higher rate: Saint-Herblain+68% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Herblain2.7 times as high | 1.4 | 3.7 | Higher rate: Saint-Herblain2.7 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Herblain2.2 times as high | 5.2 | 11.7 | Higher rate: Saint-Herblain2.2 times as high |
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)
Natural hazards
Natural disasters and prevention
| Criterion | Couëron | Saint-Herblain | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Saint-Herblain+1 | 7 | 8 | More declarations: Saint-Herblain+1 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Radon potentialSame | Significant | Significant | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Couëron | Saint-Herblain | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Couëron+47% | 44.0 | 30.0 | Larger: Couëron+47% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Saint-Herblain+2 m | 18 m | 20 m | Higher: Saint-Herblain+2 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Small town | Large urban centre | |
| DepartmentSame | Loire-Atlantique (44) | Loire-Atlantique (44) | Same |
| IntercommunalitySame | Nantes Métropole | Nantes Métropole | Same |
| Urban unitSame | Nantes | Nantes | Same |
| Functional areaSame | Nantes | Nantes | Same |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Couëron vs Saint-Herblain at a glance
| Criterion | Couëron | Saint-Herblain |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 24,367 | 51,681 |
| Change over 10 years | +20.0% | +16.4% |
| Density per km² | 553 | 1,722 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 3,075 | 2,642 |
| Median house price €/m² | 3,206 | 3,350 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 13.0 | 13.7 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 47.26% | 46.35% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 27,510 | 25,940 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 7.9% | 10.9% |
| Premises with fiber | 99% | 98% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.1 | 4.9 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 4.2 | 9.0 |
| Average temperature | 12.7°C | 12.7°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,873 | 1,873 |
| Area km² | 44.0 | 30.0 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Couëron vs Saint-Herblain: your questions
Which is the larger city, Couëron or Saint-Herblain?
By population, Saint-Herblain: 51,681 inhabitants versus 24,367 for Couëron (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Saint-Herblain is the 131st largest city in France, Couëron the 377th. By area, Couëron is the larger (44.0 km²).
How far is Couëron from Saint-Herblain?
Couëron and Saint-Herblain are 9.0 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes, in the same department (Loire-Atlantique).
Where is real estate more expensive, in Couëron or Saint-Herblain?
To buy an apartment, Couëron is more expensive: €3,075 per m² (median price), versus €2,642 in Saint-Herblain (+16%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Couëron or Saint-Herblain?
In Couëron, half of the residents have a standard of living above €27,510 a year, versus €25,940 in Saint-Herblain (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Couëron and Saint-Herblain in the same department?
Yes: both towns are in Loire-Atlantique (44), in the Pays de la Loire region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures