2026 comparison
Kourou vs Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni: 2026 comparison
Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni has more inhabitants than Kourou: 54,718 versus 25,026, or 2.2 times as many. Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni covers a larger area (4,830 km² versus 2,160 km²), but Kourou is more densely populated: 12 inhabitants per km² versus 11.
The median apartment price is higher in Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni: €2,257 per m² versus €2,000.
The two cities are 137 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department.
Kourou
City in French Guiana
FFrench Guiana973French Guiana
- Population
- 25,026 inhab.
- 370th in France · 5th in its department
- Area
- 2,160 km²
- Density
- 12 per km²
Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni
City in French Guiana
FFrench Guiana973French Guiana
- Population
- 54,718 inhab.
- 117th in France · 2nd in its department
- Area
- 4,830 km²
- Density
- 11 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1962
KourouSaint-Laurent-du-Maroni
| Criterion | Kourou | Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni2.2 times as high | 25,026 | 54,718 | More populous: Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni2.2 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni+20 pts | −0.5% | +19.4% | Stronger growth: Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni+20 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni+35 pts | −3.8% | +31.1% | Stronger growth: Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni+35 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Kourou+2% | 11.6 | 11.3 | Denser: Kourou+2% |
| Under 15More young people: Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni+12 pts | 29.5% | 41.5% | More young people: Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni+12 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Kourou+3.2 pts | 6.4% | 3.3% | More seniors: Kourou+3.2 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni+0.95 | 3.10 | 4.05 | Larger households: Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni+0.95 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Kourou | Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni+13% | 2,000 | 2,257 | More expensive: Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni+13% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni+16% | 2,400 | 2,784 | More expensive: Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni+16% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni+7% | 15.7 | 16.8 | More expensive: Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni+7% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni+4% | 16.2 | 16.9 | More expensive: Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni+4% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni+6.5 pts | 35.3% | 41.7% | More homeowners: Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni+6.5 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni+9.7 pts | 54.1% | 63.8% | More houses: Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni+9.7 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residences | — | 60.4% | |
| Second homesMore second homes: Kourou+1.3 pt | 6.4% | 5.2% | More second homes: Kourou+1.3 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Kourou+3.5 pts | 10.4% | 6.9% | More vacant homes: Kourou+3.5 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Kourou+4.1 pts | 78.19% | 74.07% | Higher rate: Kourou+4.1 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 | Kourou | Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Kourou+70% | €23,320 | €13,753 | Higher: Kourou+70% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Kourou+12 pts | 28% | 16% | More taxpaying households: Kourou+12 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Kourou+7.4 pts | 66.9% | 59.5% | Higher: Kourou+7.4 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni+16 pts | 24.0% | 40.4% | Higher: Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni+16 pts |
Sources: DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Kourou | Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Michaël Rimane | Lenaïck Adam | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | miscellaneous | miscellaneous | Same |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Kourou+22 pts | 92% | 70% | Better covered: Kourou+22 pts |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Kourou | Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Kourou2.3 times as high | 56.7142 in total | 24.3133 in total | More shops per capita: Kourou2.3 times as high |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Kourou2.3 times as high | 23.659 in total | 10.256 in total | More per capita: Kourou2.3 times as high |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Kourou+57% | 38.496 in total | 24.5134 in total | More per capita: Kourou+57% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Kourou2.1 times as high | 31.679 in total | 15.484 in total | More per capita: Kourou2.1 times as high |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Kourou+46% | 0.82 in total | 0.53 in total | More per capita: Kourou+46% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Kourou2.6 times as high | 2.46 in total | 0.95 in total | More per capita: Kourou2.6 times as high |
| Passenger train stationsTie | 0 | 0 | Tie |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Kourou | Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Kourou+34% | 2.0 | 1.5 | Better access: Kourou+34% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Kourou+56% | 4.010 in total | 2.614 in total | More per capita: Kourou+56% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni+37% | 0.82 in total | 1.16 in total | More per capita: Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni+37% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Kourou3.8 times as high | 5.614 in total | 1.58 in total | More per capita: Kourou3.8 times as high |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Kourou+37% | 2.05 in total | 1.58 in total | More per capita: Kourou+37% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni+1 | 3 | 4 | More facilities: Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni+1 |
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 | Kourou | Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni+15 | 19 | 34 | More schools: Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni+15 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni+5 | 5 | 10 | More middle schools: Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni+5 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni+5 | 3 | 8 | More high schools: Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni+5 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Kourou+1 | 2 | 1 | More facilities: Kourou+1 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Kourou | Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Kourou+62% | 15.8 | 9.8 | Higher rate: Kourou+62% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Kourou2.0 times as high | 10.0 | 4.9 | Higher rate: Kourou2.0 times as high |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Kourou+21% | 8.7 | 7.1 | Higher rate: Kourou+21% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Kourou2.3 times as high | 1.8 | 0.8 | Higher rate: Kourou2.3 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Kourou+53% | 5.6 | 3.7 | Higher rate: Kourou+53% |
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 | Kourou | Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Kourou+1.1 °C | 27.8°C | 26.7°C | Warmer: Kourou+1.1 °C |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni+12% | 2,523 | 2,838 | Wetter: Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni+12% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni+21 days/year | 171 | 192 | More rainy days: Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni+21 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 | Kourou | Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Kourou+1 | 2 | 1 | More declarations: Kourou+1 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Kourou+1 | 2 | 1 | More plans: Kourou+1 |
| Radon potentialSame | Significant | Significant | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Kourou | Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni2.2 times as high | 2,160 | 4,830 | Larger: Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni2.2 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni+1 m | 3 m | 4 m | Higher: Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni+1 m |
| Coastal commune | Yes (sea) | No | |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Intermediate urban centre | Intermediate urban centre | Same |
| DepartmentSame | French Guiana (973) | French Guiana (973) | Same |
| Intercommunality | Communauté de communes des Savanes | Communauté de communes de l'Ouest Guyanais | |
| Urban unit | Kourou | Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni | |
| Functional area | Kourou | Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Kourou vs Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni at a glance
| Criterion | Kourou | Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 25,026 | 54,718 |
| Change over 10 years | −3.8% | +31.1% |
| Density per km² | 11.6 | 11.3 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,000 | 2,257 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,400 | 2,784 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 15.7 | 16.8 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 78.19% | 74.07% |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 24.0% | 40.4% |
| Premises with fiber | 92% | 70% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 2.0 | 1.5 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 15.8 | 9.8 |
| Average temperature | 27.8°C | 26.7°C |
| Area km² | 2,160 | 4,830 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Kourou vs Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni: your questions
Which is the larger city, Kourou or Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni?
By population, Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni: 54,718 inhabitants versus 25,026 for Kourou (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni is the 117th largest city in France, Kourou the 370th. By area, Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni is also the larger (4,830 km²).
How far is Kourou from Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni?
Kourou and Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni are 137 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes, in the same department (French Guiana).
Where is real estate more expensive, in Kourou or Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni?
To buy an apartment, Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni is more expensive: €2,257 per m² (median price), versus €2,000 in Kourou (+13%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Are Kourou and Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni in the same department?
Yes: both towns are in French Guiana (973), in the French Guiana region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures