Lyon Population 2023

Lyon's 2023 population is now estimated at 1,761,188In 1950, the population of Lyon was 731,475Lyon has grown by 13,613 in the last year, which represents a 0.78% annual change. These population estimates and projections come from the latest revision of the UN World Urbanization Prospects. These estimates represent the Urban agglomeration of Lyon, which typically includes Lyon's population in addition to adjacent suburban areas.

Lyon (also called Lyons) is located in east-central France between Marseille and Paris in the Rhone-Alpes region. Lyon is the third-largest city in France after Paris and Marseille with a population of 495,000 in 2015.

The larger metropolitan area has a population estimated at 2.22 million, and it's the second-largest metro area in France behind Paris.

Lyon is known for its many historic landmarks, its annual light festival, and its role in cinema. It's also an important center for biotech and chemical industries and banking. Lyon is the international headquarters for Euronews and Interpol.

City Size and Population Density

Lyon is the capital of the Rhone department and the Rhone-Alpes region. The city proper has a population density of 10,000 people per square kilometer (27,000/square mile). The city proper also covers a surface area of approximately 47.87 square kilometers (18.48 square miles).

Lyon Demographics

13% of the population of Lyon is foreign-born people without French citizenship. Most immigrants in Lyon are from Africa and countries in the European Union.

Lyon History

Lyon has a history going back more than 2,000 years, and it's visible in the city's many landmarks, which include Renaissance palaces and Roman ruins. Lyon is unique in the world in that it has never suffered from a major disaster or a wide-scale redesign by urban planners, leaving its history intact.

Lungdunam, which is the Roman name for Lyon, was founded in 43 BC by Lucius Munatius Plancus, Governor of Gaul. It later became Capital of Gaul due to its strategic location. Between 69 and 192 AD, the city enjoyed peace and prosperity with a population estimated at 50,000 to 80,000. It was here that the first Christian communities of Gaul appeared and where the early martyrdoms occurred.

During the Middle Ages, Lyon belonged to many provinces and then the Holy Roman Empire from 1018 to 1312 before it was given to France. The city experienced a new golden age during the Renaissance when merchants from throughout Europe arrived. Lyon became one of the largest cities in Europe in the 16th century.

Lyon was located very near the border between the occupied and free zone during WWII, which made it a strategic location for the French Resistance and the Germans. The business district was largely developed during the 1960s.

Lyon Population Growth

Lyon has a growing immigrant population, many of whom arrive for jobs in security and the cleaning industry. This trend is expected to continue and lead to moderate growth for Lyon.

Country
France
Growth Rate
0.78%

Lyon Population 2023

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Year
Population
Growth Rate
Growth
1950731,475
1951733,7260.31%2,251
1952735,9870.31%2,261
1953738,2490.31%2,262
1954743,6460.73%5,397
1955768,3103.32%24,664
1956793,8283.32%25,518
1957820,1203.31%26,292
1958847,3213.32%27,201
1959875,4243.32%28,103
1960904,4993.32%29,075
1961934,4573.31%29,958
1962962,1562.96%27,699
1963983,4362.21%21,280
19641,005,2172.21%21,781
19651,027,4172.21%22,200
19661,050,1422.21%22,725
19671,073,3682.21%23,226
19681,092,9321.82%19,564
19691,104,2841.04%11,352
19701,115,7701.04%11,486
19711,127,3751.04%11,605
19721,139,1171.04%11,742
19731,150,9491.04%11,832
19741,162,9201.04%11,971
19751,177,5451.26%14,625
19761,196,9701.65%19,425
19771,216,6611.65%19,691
19781,236,7031.65%20,042
19791,257,0761.65%20,373
19801,277,8131.65%20,737
19811,298,8331.64%21,020
19821,315,4481.28%16,615
19831,322,1960.51%6,748
19841,328,9870.51%6,791
19851,335,7950.51%6,808
19861,342,6470.51%6,852
19871,349,5340.51%6,887
19881,356,4660.51%6,932
19891,363,4140.51%6,948
19901,370,2840.5%6,870
19911,376,9230.48%6,639
19921,383,6050.49%6,682
19931,390,3000.48%6,695
19941,397,0370.48%6,737
19951,403,8060.48%6,769
19961,410,6180.49%6,812
19971,417,4440.48%6,826
19981,424,3120.48%6,868
19991,432,9820.61%8,670
20001,445,5010.87%12,519
20011,458,0940.87%12,593
20021,470,8140.87%12,720
20031,483,6450.87%12,831
20041,496,6060.87%12,961
20051,509,6440.87%13,038
20061,522,8140.87%13,170
20071,536,0990.87%13,285
20081,549,5180.87%13,419
20091,563,0170.87%13,499
20101,576,6530.87%13,636
20111,590,4070.87%13,754
20121,604,3010.87%13,894
20131,618,2770.87%13,976
20141,632,3950.87%14,118
20151,646,6350.87%14,240
20161,660,9990.87%14,364
20171,675,4890.87%14,490
20181,690,1050.87%14,616
20191,704,7380.87%14,633
20201,719,2680.85%14,530
20211,733,5810.83%14,313
20221,747,5750.81%13,994
20231,761,1880.78%13,613
20241,774,3950.75%13,207
20251,787,2260.72%12,831
20261,799,7180.7%12,492
20271,811,9290.68%12,211
20281,823,9070.66%11,978
20291,835,7140.65%11,807
20301,847,3720.64%11,658
20311,858,9020.62%11,530
20321,870,3000.61%11,398
20331,881,5660.6%11,266
20341,892,6370.59%11,071
20351,903,4640.57%10,827
showing: 86 rows

Lyon Population Data (Urban Area)

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Other Cities in France

  1. National Institute for Statistics and Economic Studies - Lyon population data and documentation
  2. Open Data Census - French census data

Sources