How many people live in Alcanar?

Alcanar had 10,048 residents on the 2025 municipal register, making it the 3rd most populous of the 12 municipalities in Montsià.

How long does it take to get from Alcanar to Barcelona by train?

The nearest station to Alcanar is Ulldecona-Alcanar-La Sénia, 6.3 km away, and the fastest train reaches central Barcelona in ~2h40 (approximate schedule).

What do people earn in Alcanar?

Household disposable income per resident in Alcanar is 15,476 € a year (Idescat, 2023 (p)), 2% above the comarca median.

Do people speak Catalan in Alcanar?

75.1% of residents in Alcanar reported being able to speak Catalan in the 2011 census, the last edition to carry the question at municipal level. It measures the ability to speak it, not everyday use.

Is Alcanar at risk of flooding or wildfire?

The civil-protection plans in force (2026) classify the flood risk in Alcanar as "Very high" and its wildfire hazard as "Below the Catalan average". Wildfire hazard is relative to the Catalan average, not a probability of burning.

Do people rent or own in Alcanar?

16.1% of main dwellings in Alcanar are rented (2021).

Montsià comarca

Alcanar

A municipality in the Montsià comarca, province of Tarragona

3rd most populous of 12 municipalities in Montsià

Alcanar is the 3rd most populous of the 12 municipalities in the Montsià comarca (province of Tarragona), with 10,048 residents. Disposable household income is €15,476 per resident, essentially the comarca median. The unemployment rate is 8.6%. The nearest train station is Ulldecona-Alcanar-La Sénia, 6.3 km away (Rodalies / Renfe), but Barcelona is 2h40 away on the fastest train. 75.1% of Alcanar's residents said they could speak Catalan in the 2011 census, the last to ask at municipal level. Under the Generalitat's civil-protection plans, flood risk is very high.

Population10,048 · 2025

Density214 inh./km²

Income (per person)15,476 € · 2023 (p)2% above the comarca median

Can speak Catalan75.1% 2011

Nearest train station6.3 km Ulldecona-Alcanar-La Sénia

To Barcelona by train~2h40 Rodalies / Renfe

How Alcanar compares in Montsià

Where the municipality sits among those of the Montsià comarca, indicator by indicator.

Where it stands out

Unemployment rate8.6%2nd of 11
Higher education26.9%3rd of 12

Around the middle

Income per resident15,476 €3rd of 8

Neither better nor worse

Foreign-born22.6%5th of 12
Can speak Catalan75.1%10th of 12

On these indicators neither end is better — it depends what you are looking for. Shown highest to lowest.

Each position is computed only among the municipalities of the comarca that publish that indicator: Idescat suppresses figures for the smallest ones, so the total can be lower than the comarca's municipality count. No position is published for a cohort of fewer than 5.

All the data

Demographics

Population: 10,0482025
Density: 214 inh./km²2025
Surface area: 47.1 km²2025
Altitude: 72 m
Population aged 65+: 22.1%2025
Foreigners: 22.6%2025
Annual Growth: +1.8%2024

Economy

Income (per person): 15,476 €2023 (p)
Unemployment: 8.6%2024
Higher education: 26.9%2024

Housing

Rented dwellings: 16.1%2021

Getting around

Nearest train station: Ulldecona-Alcanar-La Sénia · 6.3 km · Rodalies / Renfe
To Barcelona by train: ~2h40

Straight-line distance to the nearest station. Time is the fastest scheduled train (approximate, not a specific departure); it may require a change.

Natural risk

Flood risk: Very high2026
Main flood sources: Coastal storms · Dams and reservoirs
Wildfire hazard: Below the Catalan average2026
Wildfire vulnerability: Medium2026
Wildfires 2011-2024: 18 fires started here · 3.2 ha burned

Official Generalitat classification: the INUNCAT (flood) and INFOCAT (wildfire) special plans, Departament d'Interior. The flood level is the maximum across every flood type affecting the municipality. Wildfire hazard is expressed relative to the Catalan average, not as an absolute probability. Fires (2011-2024, Departament d'Acció Climàtica) are attributed to the municipality where they started, so the burned area may extend into neighbouring municipalities.

Language

Can speak Catalan: 75.1%2011

Source: Idescat, 2011 census — the last one to carry this question at municipal level. Real, but old.

Frequently asked questions

How many people live in Alcanar?: Alcanar had 10,048 residents on the 2025 municipal register, making it the 3rd most populous of the 12 municipalities in Montsià.
How long does it take to get from Alcanar to Barcelona by train?: The nearest station to Alcanar is Ulldecona-Alcanar-La Sénia, 6.3 km away, and the fastest train reaches central Barcelona in ~2h40 (approximate schedule).
What do people earn in Alcanar?: Household disposable income per resident in Alcanar is 15,476 € a year (Idescat, 2023 (p)), 2% above the comarca median.
Do people speak Catalan in Alcanar?: 75.1% of residents in Alcanar reported being able to speak Catalan in the 2011 census, the last edition to carry the question at municipal level. It measures the ability to speak it, not everyday use.
Is Alcanar at risk of flooding or wildfire?: The civil-protection plans in force (2026) classify the flood risk in Alcanar as "Very high" and its wildfire hazard as "Below the Catalan average". Wildfire hazard is relative to the Catalan average, not a probability of burning.
Do people rent or own in Alcanar?: 16.1% of main dwellings in Alcanar are rented (2021).

See the Montsià comarca →Explore every comarca on the interactive map →

Data from Idescat (EMEX). Per-indicator sources have different reference years; see each section's note.