2026 comparison
Marcq-en-Barœul vs Villeneuve-d'Ascq: 2026 comparison
Villeneuve-d'Ascq has more inhabitants than Marcq-en-Barœul: 63,462 versus 40,930, or 55% more. Villeneuve-d'Ascq covers a larger area (27.5 km² versus 14.0 km²), but Marcq-en-Barœul is more densely populated: 2,915 inhabitants per km² versus 2,311.
The median apartment price is higher in Marcq-en-Barœul: €3,467 per m² versus €2,763. The median standard of living is higher in Marcq-en-Barœul (€33,330 a year versus €23,900).
The two cities are 6.5 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department and the same urban unit (Lille (partie française)).
Marcq-en-Barœul
City in Nord
- Population
- 40,930 inhab.
- 197th in France · 9th in its department
- Area
- 14.0 km²
- Density
- 2,915 per km²
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© Jiel Beaumadier, CC BY-SA 3.0
Villeneuve-d'Ascq
City in Nord
- Population
- 63,462 inhab.
- 90th in France · 5th in its department
- Area
- 27.5 km²
- Density
- 2,311 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
Marcq-en-BarœulVilleneuve-d'Ascq
| Criterion | Marcq-en-Barœul | Villeneuve-d'Ascq | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+55% | 40,930 | 63,462 | More populous: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+55% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Marcq-en-Barœul+4.0 pts | +4.2% | +0.2% | Stronger growth: Marcq-en-Barœul+4.0 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Marcq-en-Barœul+1.6 pt | +2.0% | +0.4% | Stronger growth: Marcq-en-Barœul+1.6 pt |
| Density per km²Denser: Marcq-en-Barœul+26% | 2,915 | 2,311 | Denser: Marcq-en-Barœul+26% |
| Under 15More young people: Marcq-en-Barœul+0.5 pt | 18.2% | 17.6% | More young people: Marcq-en-Barœul+0.5 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Marcq-en-Barœul+5.0 pts | 20.1% | 15.1% | More seniors: Marcq-en-Barœul+5.0 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Marcq-en-Barœul+0.07 | 2.17 | 2.10 | Larger households: Marcq-en-Barœul+0.07 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Marcq-en-Barœul | Villeneuve-d'Ascq | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Marcq-en-Barœul+25% | 3,467 | 2,763 | More expensive: Marcq-en-Barœul+25% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Marcq-en-Barœul+31% | 4,112 | 3,133 | More expensive: Marcq-en-Barœul+31% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Marcq-en-Barœul+8% | 15.5 | 14.3 | More expensive: Marcq-en-Barœul+8% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Marcq-en-Barœul+8% | 14.6 | 13.5 | More expensive: Marcq-en-Barœul+8% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Marcq-en-Barœul+18 pts | 58.5% | 40.8% | More homeowners: Marcq-en-Barœul+18 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Marcq-en-Barœul+12 pts | 51.6% | 39.1% | More houses: Marcq-en-Barœul+12 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residences | 20.0% | — | |
| Second homesMore second homes: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+1.9 pt | 1.3% | 3.2% | More second homes: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+1.9 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Marcq-en-Barœul+1.8 pt | 5.5% | 3.7% | More vacant homes: Marcq-en-Barœul+1.8 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+16 pts | 34.75% | 51.23% | Higher rate: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+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 | Marcq-en-Barœul | Villeneuve-d'Ascq | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Marcq-en-Barœul+39% | 33,330 | 23,900 | Higher: Marcq-en-Barœul+39% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+13 pts | 10.7% | 24.0% | Higher: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+13 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Marcq-en-Barœul+73% | €54,875 | €31,798 | Higher: Marcq-en-Barœul+73% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Marcq-en-Barœul+19 pts | 62% | 43% | More taxpaying households: Marcq-en-Barœul+19 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Marcq-en-Barœul+11 pts | 78.0% | 67.1% | Higher: Marcq-en-Barœul+11 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+6.4 pts | 9.2% | 15.6% | Higher: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+6.4 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Marcq-en-Barœul | Villeneuve-d'Ascq | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Loïc Cathelain | Sylvain Estager | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous right | miscellaneous left | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Marcq-en-Barœul+1.4 pt | 98% | 96% | Better covered: Marcq-en-Barœul+1.4 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Marcq-en-Barœul | Villeneuve-d'Ascq | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+37% | 44.2181 in total | 60.5384 in total | More shops per capita: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+37% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Marcq-en-Barœul+3% | 13.254 in total | 12.881 in total | More per capita: Marcq-en-Barœul+3% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+45% | 25.4104 in total | 36.9234 in total | More per capita: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+45% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+84% | 11.547 in total | 21.1134 in total | More per capita: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+84% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+29% | 1.04 in total | 1.38 in total | More per capita: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+29% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+77% | 1.04 in total | 1.711 in total | More per capita: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+77% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+3 | 0 | 3 | More stations: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+3 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Marcq-en-Barœul | Villeneuve-d'Ascq | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Marcq-en-Barœul+6% | 5.7 | 5.4 | Better access: Marcq-en-Barœul+6% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+6% | 13.455 in total | 14.290 in total | More per capita: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+6% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Marcq-en-Barœul+13% | 43.2177 in total | 38.3243 in total | More per capita: Marcq-en-Barœul+13% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Marcq-en-Barœul+18% | 10.342 in total | 8.755 in total | More per capita: Marcq-en-Barœul+18% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+6% | 2.711 in total | 2.818 in total | More per capita: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+6% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+2 | 2 | 4 | More facilities: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+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 | Marcq-en-Barœul | Villeneuve-d'Ascq | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+26 | 19 | 45 | More schools: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+26 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+4 | 5 | 9 | More middle schools: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+4 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Marcq-en-Barœul+1 | 5 | 4 | More high schools: Marcq-en-Barœul+1 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+19 | 3 | 22 | More facilities: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+19 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Marcq-en-Barœul | Villeneuve-d'Ascq | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Marcq-en-Barœul+11% | 8.1 | 7.3 | Higher rate: Marcq-en-Barœul+11% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+52% | 8.0 | 12.1 | Higher rate: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+52% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+81% | 1.9 | 3.4 | Higher rate: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+81% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Villeneuve-d'Ascq3.0 times as high | 2.2 | 6.7 | Higher rate: Villeneuve-d'Ascq3.0 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+60% | 7.4 | 11.9 | Higher rate: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+60% |
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 | Marcq-en-Barœul | Villeneuve-d'Ascq | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+7 | 9 | 16 | More declarations: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+7 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+2 | 0 | 2 | More plans: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+2 |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Marcq-en-Barœul | Villeneuve-d'Ascq | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+96% | 14.0 | 27.5 | Larger: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+96% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+14 m | 20 m | 34 m | Higher: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+14 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| DepartmentSame | Nord (59) | Nord (59) | Same |
| IntercommunalitySame | Métropole Européenne de Lille | Métropole Européenne de Lille | Same |
| Urban unitSame | Lille (partie française) | Lille (partie française) | Same |
| Functional areaSame | Lille (partie française) | Lille (partie française) | Same |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Marcq-en-Barœul vs Villeneuve-d'Ascq at a glance
| Criterion | Marcq-en-Barœul | Villeneuve-d'Ascq |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 40,930 | 63,462 |
| Change over 10 years | +2.0% | +0.4% |
| Density per km² | 2,915 | 2,311 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 3,467 | 2,763 |
| Median house price €/m² | 4,112 | 3,133 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 15.5 | 14.3 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 34.75% | 51.23% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 33,330 | 23,900 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 9.2% | 15.6% |
| Premises with fiber | 98% | 96% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 5.7 | 5.4 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 8.1 | 7.3 |
| Average temperature | 11.3°C | 11.3°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,627 | 1,627 |
| Area km² | 14.0 | 27.5 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Marcq-en-Barœul vs Villeneuve-d'Ascq: your questions
Which is the larger city, Marcq-en-Barœul or Villeneuve-d'Ascq?
By population, Villeneuve-d'Ascq: 63,462 inhabitants versus 40,930 for Marcq-en-Barœul (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Villeneuve-d'Ascq is the 90th largest city in France, Marcq-en-Barœul the 197th. By area, Villeneuve-d'Ascq is also the larger (27.5 km²).
How far is Marcq-en-Barœul from Villeneuve-d'Ascq?
Marcq-en-Barœul and Villeneuve-d'Ascq are 6.5 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes, in the same department (Nord).
Where is real estate more expensive, in Marcq-en-Barœul or Villeneuve-d'Ascq?
To buy an apartment, Marcq-en-Barœul is more expensive: €3,467 per m² (median price), versus €2,763 in Villeneuve-d'Ascq (+25%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Marcq-en-Barœul or Villeneuve-d'Ascq?
In Marcq-en-Barœul, half of the residents have a standard of living above €33,330 a year, versus €23,900 in Villeneuve-d'Ascq (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Marcq-en-Barœul and Villeneuve-d'Ascq in the same department?
Yes: both towns are in Nord (59), in the Hauts-de-France region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures