How many people live in l'Escala?

l'Escala had 10,641 residents on the 2025 municipal register, making it the 4th most populous of the 68 municipalities in Alt Empordà.

How long does it take to get from l'Escala to Barcelona by train?

The nearest station to l'Escala is Sant Miquel de Fluvià, 13 km away, and the fastest train reaches central Barcelona in ~1h40 (approximate schedule).

What do people earn in l'Escala?

Household disposable income per resident in l'Escala is 16,283 € a year (Idescat, 2023 (p)), 6% below the comarca median.

Do people speak Catalan in l'Escala?

74% of residents in l'Escala 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 l'Escala at risk of flooding or wildfire?

The civil-protection plans in force (2026) classify the flood risk in l'Escala as "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 l'Escala?

24.3% of main dwellings in l'Escala are rented (2021).

Alt Empordà comarca

l'Escala

A municipality in the Alt Empordà comarca, province of Girona

4th most populous of 68 municipalities in Alt Empordà

With 10,641 residents, l'Escala sits in the larger half of the 68 municipalities in the Alt Empordà comarca (province of Girona). Disposable household income is €16,283 per resident, 6% below the Alt Empordà median. The unemployment rate is 8.5%. The nearest train station is Sant Miquel de Fluvià, 13 km away (Rodalies / Renfe), but Barcelona is 1h40 away on the fastest train. 74% of l'Escala'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 high.

Population10,641 · 2025

Density652 inh./km²

Income (per person)16,283 € · 2023 (p)6% below the comarca median

Can speak Catalan74% 2011

Nearest train station13 km Sant Miquel de Fluvià

To Barcelona by train~1h40 Rodalies / Renfe

How l'Escala compares in Alt Empordà

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

Around the middle

Train time to Barcelona~1h4024th of 68
Higher education28.2%48th of 68
Income per resident16,283 €15th of 20
Unemployment rate8.5%34th of 39

Neither better nor worse

Foreign-born32.2%7th of 68
Can speak Catalan74%58th of 68

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: 10,6412025
Density: 652 inh./km²2025
Surface area: 16.3 km²2025
Altitude: 14 m
Population aged 65+: 23.6%2025
Foreigners: 32.2%2025
Annual Growth: +0.1%2024

Economy

Income (per person): 16,283 €2023 (p)
Unemployment: 8.5%2024
Higher education: 28.2%2024

Housing

Rented dwellings: 24.3%2021

Getting around

Nearest train station: Sant Miquel de Fluvià · 13 km · Rodalies / Renfe
To Barcelona by train: ~1h40

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: High2026
Main flood sources: River flooding · Coastal storms · Heavy rainfall · Dams and reservoirs · Ravines and torrents
Wildfire hazard: Below the Catalan average2026
Wildfire vulnerability: Very high2026
Wildfires 2011-2024: 14 fires started here · 12.6 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: 74%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 l'Escala?: l'Escala had 10,641 residents on the 2025 municipal register, making it the 4th most populous of the 68 municipalities in Alt Empordà.
How long does it take to get from l'Escala to Barcelona by train?: The nearest station to l'Escala is Sant Miquel de Fluvià, 13 km away, and the fastest train reaches central Barcelona in ~1h40 (approximate schedule).
What do people earn in l'Escala?: Household disposable income per resident in l'Escala is 16,283 € a year (Idescat, 2023 (p)), 6% below the comarca median.
Do people speak Catalan in l'Escala?: 74% of residents in l'Escala 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 l'Escala at risk of flooding or wildfire?: The civil-protection plans in force (2026) classify the flood risk in l'Escala as "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 l'Escala?: 24.3% of main dwellings in l'Escala are rented (2021).

See the Alt Empordà comarca →Explore every comarca on the interactive map →

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