2026 comparison
Orvault vs Saint-Herblain: 2026 comparison
Saint-Herblain has more inhabitants than Orvault: 51,681 versus 29,176, or 77% more. Saint-Herblain is both larger (30.0 km² versus 27.7 km²) and more densely populated (1,722 inhabitants per km² versus 1,054).
The median apartment price is higher in Orvault: €2,829 per m² versus €2,642. The median standard of living is higher in Orvault (€30,410 a year versus €25,940).
The two cities are 5.6 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department and the same urban unit (Nantes).
Orvault
City in Loire-Atlantique
FLoire-Atlantique44Pays de la Loire
- Population
- 29,176 inhab.
- 303rd in France · 5th in its department
- Area
- 27.7 km²
- Density
- 1,054 per km²
Saint-Herblain
City in Loire-Atlantique
FLoire-Atlantique44Pays de la Loire
- Population
- 51,681 inhab.
- 131st in France · 3rd in its department
- Area
- 30.0 km²
- Density
- 1,722 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
OrvaultSaint-Herblain
| Criterion | Orvault | Saint-Herblain | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Saint-Herblain+77% | 29,176 | 51,681 | More populous: Saint-Herblain+77% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Herblain+4.0 pts | +6.0% | +10.0% | Stronger growth: Saint-Herblain+4.0 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Herblain+1.9 pt | +14.5% | +16.4% | Stronger growth: Saint-Herblain+1.9 pt |
| Density per km²Denser: Saint-Herblain+63% | 1,054 | 1,722 | Denser: Saint-Herblain+63% |
| Under 15More young people: Orvault+1.1 pt | 18.9% | 17.8% | More young people: Orvault+1.1 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Orvault+2.3 pts | 20.9% | 18.7% | More seniors: Orvault+2.3 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Orvault+0.19 | 2.23 | 2.04 | Larger households: Orvault+0.19 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Orvault | Saint-Herblain | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Orvault+7% | 2,829 | 2,642 | More expensive: Orvault+7% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Orvault+9% | 3,642 | 3,350 | More expensive: Orvault+9% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Orvault+0.2% | 13.8 | 13.7 | More expensive: Orvault+0.2% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Herblain+5% | 12.6 | 13.1 | More expensive: Saint-Herblain+5% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Orvault+13 pts | 65.4% | 52.8% | More homeowners: Orvault+13 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Orvault+22 pts | 55.6% | 34.1% | More houses: Orvault+22 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Saint-Herblain+5.0 pts | 22.0% | 27.0% | More social housing: Saint-Herblain+5.0 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Saint-Herblain+0.2 pt | 1.7% | 1.9% | More second homes: Saint-Herblain+0.2 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Saint-Herblain+1.5 pt | 3.9% | 5.4% | More vacant homes: Saint-Herblain+1.5 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Orvault+5.2 pts | 51.50% | 46.35% | Higher rate: Orvault+5.2 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 | Orvault | Saint-Herblain | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Orvault+17% | 30,410 | 25,940 | Higher: Orvault+17% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Herblain+5.6 pts | 11.3% | 16.9% | Higher: Saint-Herblain+5.6 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Orvault+39% | €41,468 | €29,916 | Higher: Orvault+39% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Orvault+6.7 pts | 57% | 51% | More taxpaying households: Orvault+6.7 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Saint-Herblain+1.0 pt | 77.5% | 78.4% | Higher: Saint-Herblain+1.0 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Herblain+2.1 pts | 8.8% | 10.9% | Higher: Saint-Herblain+2.1 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Orvault | Saint-Herblain | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Sébastien Arrouët | Bertrand Affilé | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous right | union of the left | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Saint-Herblain+3.6 pts | 95% | 98% | Better covered: Saint-Herblain+3.6 pts |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Orvault | Saint-Herblain | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Saint-Herblain+13% | 53.8157 in total | 60.6313 in total | More shops per capita: Saint-Herblain+13% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Orvault+52% | 16.849 in total | 11.057 in total | More per capita: Orvault+52% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Herblain+86% | 16.548 in total | 30.6158 in total | More per capita: Saint-Herblain+86% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Herblain+14% | 19.256 in total | 21.9113 in total | More per capita: Saint-Herblain+14% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Herblain+47% | 1.75 in total | 2.513 in total | More per capita: Saint-Herblain+47% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Herblain+83% | 1.44 in total | 2.513 in total | More per capita: Saint-Herblain+83% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Saint-Herblain+1 | 0 | 1 | More stations: Saint-Herblain+1 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Orvault | Saint-Herblain | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Orvault+6% | 5.1 | 4.9 | Better access: Orvault+6% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Herblain+9% | 10.330 in total | 11.258 in total | More per capita: Saint-Herblain+9% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Herblain9.1 times as high | 5.516 in total | 50.1259 in total | More per capita: Saint-Herblain9.1 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Orvault+53% | 11.032 in total | 7.237 in total | More per capita: Orvault+53% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.Tie | 2.78 in total | 2.714 in total | Tie |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Saint-Herblain+6 | 0 | 6 | More facilities: Saint-Herblain+6 |
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 | Orvault | Saint-Herblain | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Saint-Herblain+9 | 16 | 25 | More schools: Saint-Herblain+9 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Saint-Herblain+7 | 1 | 8 | More middle schools: Saint-Herblain+7 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Saint-Herblain+2 | 2 | 4 | More high schools: Saint-Herblain+2 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Saint-Herblain+11 | 0 | 11 | More facilities: Saint-Herblain+11 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Orvault | Saint-Herblain | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Orvault+28% | 11.5 | 9.0 | Higher rate: Orvault+28% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Herblain+54% | 6.9 | 10.6 | Higher rate: Saint-Herblain+54% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Herblain+22% | 2.5 | 3.0 | Higher rate: Saint-Herblain+22% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Herblain+54% | 2.4 | 3.7 | Higher rate: Saint-Herblain+54% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Herblain+94% | 6.0 | 11.7 | Higher rate: Saint-Herblain+94% |
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 | Orvault | Saint-Herblain | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Orvault+7 | 15 | 8 | More declarations: Orvault+7 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Saint-Herblain+1 | 0 | 1 | More plans: Saint-Herblain+1 |
| Radon potentialSame | Significant | Significant | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Orvault | Saint-Herblain | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saint-Herblain+8% | 27.7 | 30.0 | Larger: Saint-Herblain+8% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Orvault+23 m | 43 m | 20 m | Higher: Orvault+23 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| DepartmentSame | Loire-Atlantique (44) | Loire-Atlantique (44) | Same |
| IntercommunalitySame | Nantes Métropole | Nantes Métropole | Same |
| Urban unitSame | Nantes | Nantes | Same |
| Functional areaSame | Nantes | Nantes | Same |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Orvault vs Saint-Herblain at a glance
| Criterion | Orvault | Saint-Herblain |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 29,176 | 51,681 |
| Change over 10 years | +14.5% | +16.4% |
| Density per km² | 1,054 | 1,722 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,829 | 2,642 |
| Median house price €/m² | 3,642 | 3,350 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 13.8 | 13.7 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 51.50% | 46.35% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 30,410 | 25,940 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 8.8% | 10.9% |
| Premises with fiber | 95% | 98% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 5.1 | 4.9 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 11.5 | 9.0 |
| Average temperature | 12.7°C | 12.7°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,873 | 1,873 |
| Area km² | 27.7 | 30.0 |
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FAQ
Orvault vs Saint-Herblain: your questions
Which is the larger city, Orvault or Saint-Herblain?
By population, Saint-Herblain: 51,681 inhabitants versus 29,176 for Orvault (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Saint-Herblain is the 131st largest city in France, Orvault the 303rd. By area, Saint-Herblain is also the larger (30.0 km²).
How far is Orvault from Saint-Herblain?
Orvault and Saint-Herblain are 5.6 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes, in the same department (Loire-Atlantique).
Where is real estate more expensive, in Orvault or Saint-Herblain?
To buy an apartment, Orvault is more expensive: €2,829 per m² (median price), versus €2,642 in Saint-Herblain (+7%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Orvault or Saint-Herblain?
In Orvault, half of the residents have a standard of living above €30,410 a year, versus €25,940 in Saint-Herblain (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Orvault and Saint-Herblain in the same department?
Yes: both towns are in Loire-Atlantique (44), in the Pays de la Loire region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures