How many people live in Tortosa?

Tortosa had 36,258 residents on the 2025 municipal register, making it the 1st most populous of the 14 municipalities in Baix Ebre.

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

Tortosa has its own railway station, and the fastest train reaches central Barcelona in ~2h30 (approximate schedule).

What do people earn in Tortosa?

Household disposable income per resident in Tortosa is 17,275 € a year (Idescat, 2023 (p)), 7% above the comarca median.

Do people speak Catalan in Tortosa?

80.3% of residents in Tortosa 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 Tortosa at risk of flooding or wildfire?

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

Do people rent or own in Tortosa?

17.5% of main dwellings in Tortosa are rented (2021).

Baix Ebre comarca

Tortosa

A municipality in the Baix Ebre comarca, province of Tarragona

1st most populous of 14 municipalities in Baix Ebre

Tortosa is the most populous municipality in the Baix Ebre comarca (province of Tarragona), with 36,258 residents. Disposable household income is €17,275 per resident, 7% above the Baix Ebre median. The unemployment rate is 10.1%. The nearest train station is Tortosa, 0.5 km away (Rodalies / Renfe), but Barcelona is 2h30 away on the fastest train. 80.3% of 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 and wildfire hazard is above the Catalan average.

Population36,258 · 2025

Density166 inh./km²

Income (per person)17,275 € · 2023 (p)7% above the comarca median

Can speak Catalan80.3% 2011

Nearest train station0.5 km Tortosa

To Barcelona by train~2h30 Rodalies / Renfe

How Tortosa compares in Baix Ebre

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

Where it stands out

Income per resident17,275 €1st of 9

Around the middle

Higher education28.3%4th of 14
Unemployment rate10.1%9th of 13

Neither better nor worse

Foreign-born28%3rd of 14
Can speak Catalan80.3%9th of 14

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: 36,2582025
Density: 166 inh./km²2025
Surface area: 218.5 km²2025
Altitude: 12 m
Population aged 65+: 20.8%2025
Foreigners: 28%2025
Annual Growth: +2.1%2024

Economy

Income (per person): 17,275 €2023 (p)
Unemployment: 10.1%2024
Higher education: 28.3%2024

Housing

Rented dwellings: 17.5%2021

Getting around

Nearest train station: Tortosa · 0.5 km · Rodalies / Renfe
To Barcelona by train: ~2h30

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 · Ravines and torrents
Wildfire hazard: Above the Catalan average2026
Wildfire vulnerability: Very high2026
Wildfires 2011-2024: 150 fires started here · 161 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: 80.3%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 Tortosa?: Tortosa had 36,258 residents on the 2025 municipal register, making it the 1st most populous of the 14 municipalities in Baix Ebre.
How long does it take to get from Tortosa to Barcelona by train?: Tortosa has its own railway station, and the fastest train reaches central Barcelona in ~2h30 (approximate schedule).
What do people earn in Tortosa?: Household disposable income per resident in Tortosa is 17,275 € a year (Idescat, 2023 (p)), 7% above the comarca median.
Do people speak Catalan in Tortosa?: 80.3% of residents in Tortosa 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 Tortosa at risk of flooding or wildfire?: The civil-protection plans in force (2026) classify the flood risk in Tortosa as "Very high" and its wildfire hazard as "Above the Catalan average". Wildfire hazard is relative to the Catalan average, not a probability of burning.
Do people rent or own in Tortosa?: 17.5% of main dwellings in Tortosa are rented (2021).

See the Baix Ebre comarca →Explore every comarca on the interactive map →

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