How many people live in Roses?

Roses had 20,175 residents on the 2025 municipal register, making it the 2nd most populous of the 68 municipalities in Alt Empordà.

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

The nearest station to Roses is Vilajuïga, 10.3 km away, and the fastest train reaches central Barcelona in ~1h55 (approximate schedule).

What do people earn in Roses?

Household disposable income per resident in Roses is 14,578 € a year (Idescat, 2023 (p)), 16% below the comarca median.

Do people speak Catalan in Roses?

62.2% of residents in Roses 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 Roses at risk of flooding or wildfire?

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

Do people rent or own in Roses?

27.2% of main dwellings in Roses are rented (2021).

Alt Empordà comarca

Roses

A municipality in the Alt Empordà comarca, province of Girona

2nd most populous of 68 municipalities in Alt Empordà

Roses is the 2nd most populous of the 68 municipalities in the Alt Empordà comarca (province of Girona), with 20,175 residents. Disposable household income is €14,578 per resident, 16% below the Alt Empordà median — among the lowest in the comarca. The unemployment rate is 9.2%. The nearest train station is Vilajuïga, 10.3 km away (Rodalies / Renfe), but Barcelona is 1h55 away on the fastest train. Catalan knowledge is lower than in most of Catalonia: 62.2% in the 2011 census, the last to ask at municipal level. Under the Generalitat's civil-protection plans, flood risk is very high.

Population20,175 · 2025

Density439 inh./km²

Income (per person)14,578 € · 2023 (p)16% below the comarca median

Can speak Catalan62.2% 2011

Nearest train station10.3 km Vilajuïga

To Barcelona by train~1h55 Rodalies / Renfe

How Roses compares in Alt Empordà

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

Worth knowing

Income per resident14,578 €19th of 20

Around the middle

Train time to Barcelona~1h5550th of 68
Unemployment rate9.2%35th of 39
Higher education22.9%62nd of 68

Neither better nor worse

Foreign-born36.5%5th of 68
Can speak Catalan62.2%65th 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: 20,1752025
Density: 439 inh./km²2025
Surface area: 45.9 km²2025
Altitude: 5 m
Population aged 65+: 19.4%2025
Foreigners: 36.5%2025
Annual Growth: -0.4%2024

Economy

Income (per person): 14,578 €2023 (p)
Unemployment: 9.2%2024
Higher education: 22.9%2024

Housing

Rented dwellings: 27.2%2021

Getting around

Nearest train station: Vilajuïga · 10.3 km · Rodalies / Renfe
To Barcelona by train: ~1h55

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: River flooding
Wildfire hazard: Around the Catalan average2026
Wildfire vulnerability: Very high2026
Wildfires 2011-2024: 31 fires started here · 433.6 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: 62.2%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 Roses?: Roses had 20,175 residents on the 2025 municipal register, making it the 2nd most populous of the 68 municipalities in Alt Empordà.
How long does it take to get from Roses to Barcelona by train?: The nearest station to Roses is Vilajuïga, 10.3 km away, and the fastest train reaches central Barcelona in ~1h55 (approximate schedule).
What do people earn in Roses?: Household disposable income per resident in Roses is 14,578 € a year (Idescat, 2023 (p)), 16% below the comarca median.
Do people speak Catalan in Roses?: 62.2% of residents in Roses 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 Roses at risk of flooding or wildfire?: The civil-protection plans in force (2026) classify the flood risk in Roses as "Very high" and its wildfire hazard as "Around the Catalan average". Wildfire hazard is relative to the Catalan average, not a probability of burning.
Do people rent or own in Roses?: 27.2% of main dwellings in Roses 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.