Nantes's 2026 population is now estimated at 335,634.In 2006, the population of Nantes was 282,853.Nantes has grown by 2,654 in the last year, which represents a 0.8% annual change.These population values and projections come from INSEE historical municipal populations (PMUN) by commune and World Population Review Internal Projections.
Nantes is a classically French city with an array of beautiful people and spectacular settings that France is well known for. The city is perched along the Loire River and is France’s 6th largest city. Nantes was recognized in 1532 and is now known as a Gamma World City. That means that the quality of life for the inhabitants of the city of Nantes is among the best in the world. This is not the only certification that Nantes has received for its quality of life ranking. It has received the European Green Capital Award as well.
The city of Nantes covers considerable ground in terms of surface area. The city proper contains 65.19 kilometers squared (25.17 square miles). The metropolitan area expands out to a total of 3,302 kilometers squared (1,275 square mile). The population density of the residents in the city proper comes to a total of 4,700 living per square kilometer (12,000 living per square mile), while the metropolitan density drops to about 280 residents per square kilometer (710 residents per square mile).
The growth in Nantes has been tremendous. Where some cities tend to have a drop in their population from time to time, Nantes has maintained an upward growth throughout its long history. Currently, the population of Nantes is 283,025 people with a population density of 4,341.54 people for every square km. As with many cities throughout the world, there are more women than men in Nantes; 53% of the population is female and 47% is male.
Getting around from one place to another in certain cities within France can be something of a challenge or an adventure, depending on your perspective. The overcrowded streets can be difficult to navigate, but in Nantes, even though it is quite densely populated, transportation is relatively easy due to the excellent public transit system. Commuters have a choice of four different means of travel within Nantes depending on how far they need to go: trains, buses, ferries, and light rail. Most travelers and locals use some form of public transportation within Nantes and, unlike inefficient services in other cities, Nantes is known for its clean, comfortable, and punctual service. The average person waits just 12 minutes to embark on their journey no matter which type of transportation they choose.
While many cities have experienced the effects of economic downturns in the past 20 years, Nantes is a city that understands that the problems facing working people can be solved by innovative developments. At the end of the 1990s, the rate of unemployment in Nantes was high, and the city decided to change those numbers for the better. A series of initiatives transformed the working environment in the city. As of 2007, Nantes created 2,541 jobs and the average unemployment rate has dropped from 21.5% to 17.3%. Those numbers may still seem high, but with the efforts of the city of Nantes and the fact that increasing numbers of businesses are coming into the city, the unemployment rate is continuing to decrease each year.
One of the best things about Nantes is the fact that it is so historic. Many attractions throughout the city bring visitors from all over the world, including the Musee d’arts de Nantes, and the 15th century castles of the Dukes of Brittany. The split from Brittany was a significant time in history, and the city of Nantes has worked to maintain the structures and keep tourists and locals coming back year after year.
City | 2026 Pop.↓ | Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Paris | 2,059,821 | -0.7% |
| Marseille | 895,713 | 0.36% |
| Toulouse | 532,795 | 1.15% |
| Lyon | 518,778 | -0.02% |
| Nice | 368,553 | 1% |
| Nantes | 335,634 | 0.8% |
| Montpellier | 322,791 | 1.33% |
| Strasbourg | 299,009 | 0.59% |
| Bordeaux | 274,160 | 0.76% |
| Lille | 241,634 | 0.47% |
| Rennes | 239,012 | 1.16% |
| Toulon | 180,989 | 0.35% |
| Reims | 175,005 | -0.5% |
| Saint-Etienne | 172,718 | -0.08% |
| Villeurbanne | 172,606 | 1.79% |
| Le Havre | 164,954 | -0.35% |
| Dijon | 164,547 | 0.56% |
| Angers | 161,563 | 0.53% |
| Saint-Denis | 158,641 | 0.64% |
| Grenoble | 154,974 | -0.25% |
