2026 comparison
Marcq-en-Barœul vs Wattrelos: 2026 comparison
Wattrelos has more inhabitants than Marcq-en-Barœul: 41,013 versus 40,930, or 0.2% more. Marcq-en-Barœul covers a larger area (14.0 km² versus 13.4 km²), but Wattrelos is more densely populated: 3,052 inhabitants per km² versus 2,915.
The median apartment price is higher in Marcq-en-Barœul: €3,467 per m² versus €2,078. The median standard of living is higher in Marcq-en-Barœul (€33,330 a year versus €21,660).
The two cities are 8.9 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department and the same urban unit (Lille (partie française)).
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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
Wattrelos
City in Nord
- Population
- 41,013 inhab.
- 196th in France · 8th in its department
- Area
- 13.4 km²
- Density
- 3,052 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
Marcq-en-BarœulWattrelos
| Criterion | Marcq-en-Barœul | Wattrelos | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Wattrelos+0.2% | 40,930 | 41,013 | More populous: Wattrelos+0.2% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Marcq-en-Barœul+4.3 pts | +4.2% | −0.1% | Stronger growth: Marcq-en-Barœul+4.3 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Marcq-en-Barœul+3.6 pts | +2.0% | −1.6% | Stronger growth: Marcq-en-Barœul+3.6 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Wattrelos+5% | 2,915 | 3,052 | Denser: Wattrelos+5% |
| Under 15More young people: Wattrelos+2.1 pts | 18.2% | 20.3% | More young people: Wattrelos+2.1 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Marcq-en-Barœul+3.4 pts | 20.1% | 16.7% | More seniors: Marcq-en-Barœul+3.4 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Wattrelos+0.23 | 2.17 | 2.40 | Larger households: Wattrelos+0.23 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Marcq-en-Barœul | Wattrelos | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Marcq-en-Barœul+67% | 3,467 | 2,078 | More expensive: Marcq-en-Barœul+67% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Marcq-en-Barœul2.1 times as high | 4,112 | 1,957 | More expensive: Marcq-en-Barœul2.1 times as high |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Marcq-en-Barœul+11% | 15.5 | 14.0 | More expensive: Marcq-en-Barœul+11% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Marcq-en-Barœul+43% | 14.6 | 10.3 | More expensive: Marcq-en-Barœul+43% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Marcq-en-Barœul+1.7 pt | 58.5% | 56.8% | More homeowners: Marcq-en-Barœul+1.7 pt |
| Share of housesMore houses: Wattrelos+22 pts | 51.6% | 73.6% | More houses: Wattrelos+22 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residences | 20.0% | — | |
| Second homesMore second homes: Marcq-en-Barœul+1.0 pt | 1.3% | 0.3% | More second homes: Marcq-en-Barœul+1.0 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Marcq-en-Barœul+1.6 pt | 5.5% | 3.9% | More vacant homes: Marcq-en-Barœul+1.6 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Wattrelos+33 pts | 34.75% | 67.76% | Higher rate: Wattrelos+33 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 | Wattrelos | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Marcq-en-Barœul+54% | 33,330 | 21,660 | Higher: Marcq-en-Barœul+54% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Wattrelos+13 pts | 10.7% | 23.8% | Higher: Wattrelos+13 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Marcq-en-Barœul2.3 times as high | €54,875 | €23,424 | Higher: Marcq-en-Barœul2.3 times as high |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Marcq-en-Barœul+27 pts | 62% | 35% | More taxpaying households: Marcq-en-Barœul+27 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Marcq-en-Barœul+5.0 pts | 78.0% | 73.0% | Higher: Marcq-en-Barœul+5.0 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Wattrelos+6.3 pts | 9.2% | 15.5% | Higher: Wattrelos+6.3 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Marcq-en-Barœul | Wattrelos | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Loïc Cathelain | Dominique Baert | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous right | miscellaneous left | |
| Premises with fiberTie | 98% | 98% | Tie |
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 | Wattrelos | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Marcq-en-Barœul+63% | 44.2181 in total | 27.1111 in total | More shops per capita: Marcq-en-Barœul+63% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Marcq-en-Barœul+20% | 13.254 in total | 11.045 in total | More per capita: Marcq-en-Barœul+20% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Marcq-en-Barœul+47% | 25.4104 in total | 17.371 in total | More per capita: Marcq-en-Barœul+47% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Wattrelos+6% | 11.547 in total | 12.250 in total | More per capita: Wattrelos+6% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Wattrelos+25% | 1.04 in total | 1.25 in total | More per capita: Wattrelos+25% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Marcq-en-Barœul+1.0 | 1.04 in total | 0.00 in total | More per capita: Marcq-en-Barœul+1.0 |
| 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 | Marcq-en-Barœul | Wattrelos | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Marcq-en-Barœul+34% | 5.7 | 4.3 | Better access: Marcq-en-Barœul+34% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Marcq-en-Barœul+72% | 13.455 in total | 7.832 in total | More per capita: Marcq-en-Barœul+72% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Marcq-en-Barœul13 times as high | 43.2177 in total | 3.414 in total | More per capita: Marcq-en-Barœul13 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Marcq-en-Barœul3.8 times as high | 10.342 in total | 2.711 in total | More per capita: Marcq-en-Barœul3.8 times as high |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Wattrelos+27% | 2.711 in total | 3.414 in total | More per capita: Wattrelos+27% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Marcq-en-Barœul+1 | 2 | 1 | More facilities: Marcq-en-Barœul+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 | Marcq-en-Barœul | Wattrelos | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Wattrelos+4 | 19 | 23 | More schools: Wattrelos+4 |
| Middle schoolsTie | 5 | 5 | Tie |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Marcq-en-Barœul+3 | 5 | 2 | More high schools: Marcq-en-Barœul+3 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Marcq-en-Barœul+3 | 3 | 0 | More facilities: Marcq-en-Barœul+3 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Marcq-en-Barœul | Wattrelos | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Marcq-en-Barœul+26% | 8.1 | 6.4 | Higher rate: Marcq-en-Barœul+26% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Marcq-en-Barœul2.2 times as high | 8.0 | 3.6 | Higher rate: Marcq-en-Barœul2.2 times as high |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Wattrelos+60% | 1.9 | 3.0 | Higher rate: Wattrelos+60% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Wattrelos3.3 times as high | 2.2 | 7.3 | Higher rate: Wattrelos3.3 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Wattrelos+34% | 7.4 | 9.9 | Higher rate: Wattrelos+34% |
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 | Wattrelos | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Wattrelos+6 | 9 | 15 | More declarations: Wattrelos+6 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 0 | 0 | Tie |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Marcq-en-Barœul | Wattrelos | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Marcq-en-Barœul+4% | 14.0 | 13.4 | Larger: Marcq-en-Barœul+4% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Wattrelos+10 m | 20 m | 30 m | Higher: Wattrelos+10 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 Wattrelos at a glance
| Criterion | Marcq-en-Barœul | Wattrelos |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 40,930 | 41,013 |
| Change over 10 years | +2.0% | −1.6% |
| Density per km² | 2,915 | 3,052 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 3,467 | 2,078 |
| Median house price €/m² | 4,112 | 1,957 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 15.5 | 14.0 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 34.75% | 67.76% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 33,330 | 21,660 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 9.2% | 15.5% |
| Premises with fiber | 98% | 98% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 5.7 | 4.3 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 8.1 | 6.4 |
| Average temperature | 11.3°C | 11.3°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,627 | 1,627 |
| Area km² | 14.0 | 13.4 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Marcq-en-Barœul vs Wattrelos: your questions
Which is the larger city, Marcq-en-Barœul or Wattrelos?
By population, Wattrelos: 41,013 inhabitants versus 40,930 for Marcq-en-Barœul (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Wattrelos is the 196th largest city in France, Marcq-en-Barœul the 197th. By area, Marcq-en-Barœul is the larger (14.0 km²).
How far is Marcq-en-Barœul from Wattrelos?
Marcq-en-Barœul and Wattrelos are 8.9 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 Wattrelos?
To buy an apartment, Marcq-en-Barœul is more expensive: €3,467 per m² (median price), versus €2,078 in Wattrelos (+67%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Marcq-en-Barœul or Wattrelos?
In Marcq-en-Barœul, half of the residents have a standard of living above €33,330 a year, versus €21,660 in Wattrelos (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Marcq-en-Barœul and Wattrelos 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