2026 comparison
Hénin-Beaumont vs Valenciennes: 2026 comparison
Valenciennes has more inhabitants than Hénin-Beaumont: 43,966 versus 26,029, or 69% more. Hénin-Beaumont covers a larger area (20.7 km² versus 13.8 km²), but Valenciennes is more densely populated: 3,181 inhabitants per km² versus 1,256.
The median apartment price is higher in Valenciennes: €2,226 per m² versus €1,450. The median standard of living is higher in Valenciennes (€22,180 a year versus €21,590).
The two cities are 40 km apart as the crow flies.
Hénin-Beaumont
City in Pas-de-Calais
FPas-de-Calais62Hauts-de-France
- Population
- 26,029 inhab.
- 354th in France · 6th in its department
- Area
- 20.7 km²
- Density
- 1,256 per km²
Valenciennes
City in Nord
- Population
- 43,966 inhab.
- 173rd in France · 6th in its department
- Area
- 13.8 km²
- Density
- 3,181 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
Hénin-BeaumontValenciennes
| Criterion | Hénin-Beaumont | Valenciennes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Valenciennes+69% | 26,029 | 43,966 | More populous: Valenciennes+69% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Valenciennes+1.0 pt | −0.9% | +0.1% | Stronger growth: Valenciennes+1.0 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Valenciennes+5.4 pts | −4.0% | +1.4% | Stronger growth: Valenciennes+5.4 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Valenciennes2.5 times as high | 1,256 | 3,181 | Denser: Valenciennes2.5 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Hénin-Beaumont+3.8 pts | 18.6% | 14.9% | More young people: Hénin-Beaumont+3.8 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Hénin-Beaumont+0.8 pt | 18.2% | 17.5% | More seniors: Hénin-Beaumont+0.8 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Hénin-Beaumont+0.37 | 2.22 | 1.85 | Larger households: Hénin-Beaumont+0.37 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Hénin-Beaumont | Valenciennes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Valenciennes+54% | 1,450 | 2,226 | More expensive: Valenciennes+54% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Valenciennes+17% | 1,414 | 1,649 | More expensive: Valenciennes+17% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Valenciennes+5% | 11.5 | 12.1 | More expensive: Valenciennes+5% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Valenciennes+13% | 8.5 | 9.6 | More expensive: Valenciennes+13% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Hénin-Beaumont+17 pts | 49.8% | 33.1% | More homeowners: Hénin-Beaumont+17 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Hénin-Beaumont+33 pts | 71.8% | 38.4% | More houses: Hénin-Beaumont+33 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residences | 37.5% | — | |
| Second homesMore second homes: Valenciennes+2.4 pts | 0.7% | 3.0% | More second homes: Valenciennes+2.4 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Valenciennes+2.6 pts | 9.9% | 12.5% | More vacant homes: Valenciennes+2.6 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Hénin-Beaumont+16 pts | 65.02% | 49.44% | Higher rate: Hénin-Beaumont+16 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 | Hénin-Beaumont | Valenciennes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Valenciennes+3% | 21,590 | 22,180 | Higher: Valenciennes+3% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Valenciennes+2.1 pts | 25.7% | 27.8% | Higher: Valenciennes+2.1 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Valenciennes+9% | €22,915 | €25,059 | Higher: Valenciennes+9% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Valenciennes+4.7 pts | 35% | 39% | More taxpaying households: Valenciennes+4.7 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Hénin-Beaumont+2.7 pts | 71.6% | 68.8% | Higher: Hénin-Beaumont+2.7 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Valenciennes+2.1 pts | 16.7% | 18.8% | Higher: Valenciennes+2.1 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Hénin-Beaumont | Valenciennes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Steeve Briois | Laurent Degallaix | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | Rassemblement national | miscellaneous right | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Hénin-Beaumont+2.1 pts | 97% | 95% | Better covered: Hénin-Beaumont+2.1 pts |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Hénin-Beaumont | Valenciennes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Valenciennes+45% | 61.1159 in total | 88.7390 in total | More shops per capita: Valenciennes+45% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valenciennes+37% | 18.147 in total | 24.8109 in total | More per capita: Valenciennes+37% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valenciennes+84% | 32.785 in total | 60.0264 in total | More per capita: Valenciennes+84% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valenciennes+35% | 16.142 in total | 21.896 in total | More per capita: Valenciennes+35% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valenciennes+18% | 1.95 in total | 2.310 in total | More per capita: Valenciennes+18% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valenciennes+2.7 | 0.00 in total | 2.712 in total | More per capita: Valenciennes+2.7 |
| 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 | Hénin-Beaumont | Valenciennes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Hénin-Beaumont+4% | 4.5 | 4.4 | Better access: Hénin-Beaumont+4% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valenciennes2.2 times as high | 6.517 in total | 14.162 in total | More per capita: Valenciennes2.2 times as high |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valenciennes+49% | 28.073 in total | 41.9184 in total | More per capita: Valenciennes+49% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valenciennes+82% | 5.414 in total | 9.843 in total | More per capita: Valenciennes+82% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valenciennes+9% | 2.36 in total | 2.511 in total | More per capita: Valenciennes+9% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Valenciennes+2 | 7 | 9 | More facilities: Valenciennes+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 | Hénin-Beaumont | Valenciennes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Valenciennes+11 | 13 | 24 | More schools: Valenciennes+11 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Valenciennes+2 | 5 | 7 | More middle schools: Valenciennes+2 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Valenciennes+5 | 3 | 8 | More high schools: Valenciennes+5 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Valenciennes+12 | 1 | 13 | More facilities: Valenciennes+12 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Hénin-Beaumont | Valenciennes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Hénin-Beaumont+54% | 7.0 | 4.5 | Higher rate: Hénin-Beaumont+54% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Valenciennes2.4 times as high | 8.0 | 19.5 | Higher rate: Valenciennes2.4 times as high |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Valenciennes+72% | 6.4 | 11.1 | Higher rate: Valenciennes+72% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Hénin-Beaumont+5% | 3.2 | 3.0 | Higher rate: Hénin-Beaumont+5% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Valenciennes+46% | 11.8 | 17.3 | Higher rate: Valenciennes+46% |
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 | Hénin-Beaumont | Valenciennes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureTie | 11.0°C | 11.0°C | Tie |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,627 | — | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Hénin-Beaumont+5% | 729 | 694 | Wetter: Hénin-Beaumont+5% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Hénin-Beaumont+4 days/year | 126 | 122 | More rainy days: Hénin-Beaumont+4 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Hénin-Beaumont+2 days/year | 48 | 46 | More frost days: Hénin-Beaumont+2 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreTie | 8 | 8 | Tie |
Climate normals from the reference Météo-France station of each commune. Source: Météo-France, climate normals
Natural hazards
Natural disasters and prevention
| Criterion | Hénin-Beaumont | Valenciennes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Valenciennes+3 | 10 | 13 | More declarations: Valenciennes+3 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Valenciennes+2 | 0 | 2 | More plans: Valenciennes+2 |
| Radon potentialSame | Low, with aggravating factors | Low, with aggravating factors | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Hénin-Beaumont | Valenciennes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Hénin-Beaumont+50% | 20.7 | 13.8 | Larger: Hénin-Beaumont+50% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Hénin-Beaumont+4 m | 29 m | 26 m | Higher: Hénin-Beaumont+4 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Pas-de-Calais (62) | Nord (59) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération d'Hénin-Carvin | Communauté d'agglomération Valenciennes Métropole | |
| Urban unit | Douai-Lens | Valenciennes (partie française) | |
| Functional area | Lens - Liévin | Valenciennes (partie française) |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Hénin-Beaumont vs Valenciennes at a glance
| Criterion | Hénin-Beaumont | Valenciennes |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 26,029 | 43,966 |
| Change over 10 years | −4.0% | +1.4% |
| Density per km² | 1,256 | 3,181 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 1,450 | 2,226 |
| Median house price €/m² | 1,414 | 1,649 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 11.5 | 12.1 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 65.02% | 49.44% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 21,590 | 22,180 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 16.7% | 18.8% |
| Premises with fiber | 97% | 95% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.5 | 4.4 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 7.0 | 4.5 |
| Average temperature | 11.0°C | 11.0°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,627 | — |
| Area km² | 20.7 | 13.8 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Hénin-Beaumont vs Valenciennes: your questions
Which is the larger city, Hénin-Beaumont or Valenciennes?
By population, Valenciennes: 43,966 inhabitants versus 26,029 for Hénin-Beaumont (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Valenciennes is the 173rd largest city in France, Hénin-Beaumont the 354th. By area, Hénin-Beaumont is the larger (20.7 km²).
How far is Hénin-Beaumont from Valenciennes?
Hénin-Beaumont and Valenciennes are 40 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Hénin-Beaumont or Valenciennes?
To buy an apartment, Valenciennes is more expensive: €2,226 per m² (median price), versus €1,450 in Hénin-Beaumont (+54%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Hénin-Beaumont or Valenciennes?
In Valenciennes, half of the residents have a standard of living above €22,180 a year, versus €21,590 in Hénin-Beaumont (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Hénin-Beaumont and Valenciennes in the same department?
No: Hénin-Beaumont is in Pas-de-Calais (62), and Valenciennes in Nord (59), both in the Hauts-de-France region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures