2026 comparison
Dunkerque vs Saint-Pierre (974): 2026 comparison
Dunkerque has more inhabitants than Saint-Pierre: 87,442 versus 85,927, or 1.8% more. Saint-Pierre covers a larger area (96.0 km² versus 43.9 km²), but Dunkerque is more densely populated: 1,992 inhabitants per km² versus 895.
The median apartment price is higher in Saint-Pierre: €3,123 per m² versus €2,144. The median standard of living is higher in Dunkerque (€22,790 a year versus €19,670).
The two cities are 9,568 km apart as the crow flies.
Dunkerque
City in Nord
- Population
- 87,442 inhab.
- 54th in France · 4th in its department
- Area
- 43.9 km²
- Density
- 1,992 per km²
Saint-Pierre
City in Réunion
- Population
- 85,927 inhab.
- 55th in France · 3rd in its department
- Area
- 96.0 km²
- Density
- 895 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1954
DunkerqueSaint-Pierre
| Criterion | Dunkerque | Saint-Pierre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Dunkerque+2% | 87,442 | 85,927 | More populous: Dunkerque+2% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Pierre+0.8 pt | −0.7% | +0.1% | Stronger growth: Saint-Pierre+0.8 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Pierre+8.5 pts | −4.0% | +4.5% | Stronger growth: Saint-Pierre+8.5 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Dunkerque2.2 times as high | 1,992 | 895 | Denser: Dunkerque2.2 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Saint-Pierre+4.1 pts | 16.3% | 20.3% | More young people: Saint-Pierre+4.1 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Dunkerque+9.1 pts | 22.8% | 13.7% | More seniors: Dunkerque+9.1 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Saint-Pierre+0.36 | 2.01 | 2.37 | Larger households: Saint-Pierre+0.36 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Dunkerque | Saint-Pierre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Pierre+46% | 2,144 | 3,123 | More expensive: Saint-Pierre+46% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Pierre+63% | 1,939 | 3,164 | More expensive: Saint-Pierre+63% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Pierre+17% | 13.5 | 15.8 | More expensive: Saint-Pierre+17% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Pierre+28% | 11.1 | 14.3 | More expensive: Saint-Pierre+28% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Saint-Pierre+4.9 pts | 45.5% | 50.4% | More homeowners: Saint-Pierre+4.9 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Saint-Pierre+24 pts | 40.7% | 64.9% | More houses: Saint-Pierre+24 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residences | — | 23.2% | |
| Second homesMore second homes: Saint-Pierre+0.5 pt | 3.9% | 4.4% | More second homes: Saint-Pierre+0.5 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Saint-Pierre+2.4 pts | 6.9% | 9.2% | More vacant homes: Saint-Pierre+2.4 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Dunkerque+3.1 pts | 51.49% | 48.35% | Higher rate: Dunkerque+3.1 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 | Dunkerque | Saint-Pierre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Dunkerque+16% | 22,790 | 19,670 | Higher: Dunkerque+16% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Pierre+12 pts | 22.7% | 34.8% | Higher: Saint-Pierre+12 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Dunkerque+10% | €25,682 | €23,366 | Higher: Dunkerque+10% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Dunkerque+15 pts | 40% | 26% | More taxpaying households: Dunkerque+15 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Dunkerque+1.9 pt | 72.1% | 70.2% | Higher: Dunkerque+1.9 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Pierre+9.5 pts | 17.9% | 27.4% | Higher: Saint-Pierre+9.5 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Dunkerque | Saint-Pierre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Patrice Vergriete | David Lorion | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous centre | miscellaneous right | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Saint-Pierre+3.0 pts | 93% | 96% | Better covered: Saint-Pierre+3.0 pts |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Dunkerque | Saint-Pierre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Saint-Pierre+47% | 59.8523 in total | 87.7754 in total | More shops per capita: Saint-Pierre+47% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Pierre+58% | 17.8156 in total | 28.2242 in total | More per capita: Saint-Pierre+58% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Pierre+75% | 37.3326 in total | 65.2560 in total | More per capita: Saint-Pierre+75% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Pierre+2% | 17.5153 in total | 17.8153 in total | More per capita: Saint-Pierre+2% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Dunkerque+70% | 2.219 in total | 1.311 in total | More per capita: Dunkerque+70% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.Tie | 1.715 in total | 1.715 in total | Tie |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Dunkerque+1 | 1 | 0 | More stations: Dunkerque+1 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Dunkerque | Saint-Pierre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Saint-Pierre+88% | 3.5 | 6.7 | Better access: Saint-Pierre+88% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Pierre+48% | 8.373 in total | 12.3106 in total | More per capita: Saint-Pierre+48% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Dunkerque+9% | 13.6119 in total | 12.5107 in total | More per capita: Dunkerque+9% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Pierre+49% | 7.263 in total | 10.792 in total | More per capita: Saint-Pierre+49% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Dunkerque+65% | 4.237 in total | 2.622 in total | More per capita: Dunkerque+65% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Saint-Pierre+3 | 7 | 10 | More facilities: Saint-Pierre+3 |
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 | Dunkerque | Saint-Pierre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Dunkerque+2 | 52 | 50 | More schools: Dunkerque+2 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Saint-Pierre+2 | 13 | 15 | More middle schools: Saint-Pierre+2 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Dunkerque+3 | 12 | 9 | More high schools: Dunkerque+3 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Dunkerque+5 | 9 | 4 | More facilities: Dunkerque+5 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Dunkerque | Saint-Pierre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Dunkerque+7% | 4.3 | 4.0 | Higher rate: Dunkerque+7% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Dunkerque+59% | 10.5 | 6.6 | Higher rate: Dunkerque+59% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Dunkerque+6% | 4.9 | 4.6 | Higher rate: Dunkerque+6% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Dunkerque+37% | 1.5 | 1.1 | Higher rate: Dunkerque+37% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Dunkerque+82% | 11.8 | 6.5 | Higher rate: Dunkerque+82% |
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 | Dunkerque | Saint-Pierre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Saint-Pierre+11.9 °C | 11.7°C | 23.6°C | Warmer: Saint-Pierre+11.9 °C |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Saint-Pierre+38% | 691 | 956 | Wetter: Saint-Pierre+38% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Dunkerque+46 days/year | 121 | 75 | More rainy days: Dunkerque+46 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Dunkerque+17 days/year | 17 | 0 | More frost days: Dunkerque+17 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Saint-Pierre+100 days/year | 2 | 101 | More hot days: Saint-Pierre+100 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 | Dunkerque | Saint-Pierre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Dunkerque+6 | 26 | 20 | More declarations: Dunkerque+6 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Saint-Pierre+1 | 1 | 2 | More plans: Saint-Pierre+1 |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Dunkerque | Saint-Pierre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saint-Pierre2.2 times as high | 43.9 | 96.0 | Larger: Saint-Pierre2.2 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Saint-Pierre+1 m | 7 m | 8 m | Higher: Saint-Pierre+1 m |
| Coastal communeSame | Yes (sea) | Yes (sea) | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Large urban centre | Intermediate urban centre | |
| Department | Nord (59) | Réunion (974) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté urbaine de Dunkerque | Communauté d'agglomération CIVIS (Communauté Intercommunale des Villes Solidaires) | |
| Urban unit | Dunkerque | Saint-Pierre | |
| Functional area | Dunkerque | Saint-Pierre - Le Tampon |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Dunkerque vs Saint-Pierre (974) at a glance
| Criterion | Dunkerque | Saint-Pierre |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 87,442 | 85,927 |
| Change over 10 years | −4.0% | +4.5% |
| Density per km² | 1,992 | 895 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,144 | 3,123 |
| Median house price €/m² | 1,939 | 3,164 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 13.5 | 15.8 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 51.49% | 48.35% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 22,790 | 19,670 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 17.9% | 27.4% |
| Premises with fiber | 93% | 96% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.5 | 6.7 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 4.3 | 4.0 |
| Average temperature | 11.7°C | 23.6°C |
| Area km² | 43.9 | 96.0 |
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FAQ
Dunkerque vs Saint-Pierre (974): your questions
Which is the larger city, Dunkerque or Saint-Pierre?
By population, Dunkerque: 87,442 inhabitants versus 85,927 for Saint-Pierre (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Dunkerque is the 54th largest city in France, Saint-Pierre the 55th. By area, Saint-Pierre is the larger (96.0 km²).
How far is Dunkerque from Saint-Pierre?
Dunkerque and Saint-Pierre are 9,568 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Dunkerque or Saint-Pierre?
To buy an apartment, Saint-Pierre is more expensive: €3,123 per m² (median price), versus €2,144 in Dunkerque (+46%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Dunkerque or Saint-Pierre?
In Dunkerque, half of the residents have a standard of living above €22,790 a year, versus €19,670 in Saint-Pierre (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Dunkerque and Saint-Pierre in the same department?
No: Dunkerque is in Nord (59), in the Hauts-de-France region, and Saint-Pierre in Réunion (974), in the Réunion region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures