Valença: population and statistics
Valença has a population of 15,699 (2025) across 117.1 km², or 134 people per km². It ranks 146 of 308 municipalities by population. Its population is growing: +13.9% between 2021 and 2025.
- 15,699 residents
- 117.1 km²
- 134 people/km²
- 51 m
Key points
Among the 10 municipalities in Viana do Castelo, Valença ranks No. 6 by population.
Usual residences with central heating: 33.0% in Valença, compared with an average of 31.4% in Viana do Castelo and 13.8% nationally.
Largest business sector: Wholesale and retail trade, with 25.6% of the area's businesses.
A 1 kWp solar panel tilted at 35° generates about 1,370 kWh a year here.
Valença in numbers
Where is Valença?
Population of Valença over time
Valença had 13,788 residents in 2021 and 15,699 in 2025.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 13,788 |
| 2022 | 14,711 |
| 2023 | 15,351 |
| 2024 | 15,710 |
| 2025 | 15,699 |
Did you know?
- Number 1 in Viana do Castelo for “Population change over 4 years”.
- Number 1 in Viana do Castelo for “Population under 15”.
- “Population change between 2021 and 2025”: higher than in 94% of municipalities.
- “Usual residences with central heating”: higher than in 92% of municipalities.
- Its area is roughly equal to 16,405 football pitches.
- The nearest municipality is Vila Nova de Cerveira, 13.4 km away.
- The nearest more populous municipality is Ponte de Lima (42,933 residents), 29 km away.
All indicators for Valença
Value for the municipality, then the regional average and the national median (for counts: regional and national totals). The gauge places the municipality between the lowest and highest value in the country.
Population
| Indicator | Valença | Viana do Castelo | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population aged 65 and over (2025) | 24.3% | 28.0% | 26.9% | ranked 201 of 307 | |
| Population under 15 (2025) | 12.3% | 11.4% | 11.7% | ranked 98 of 307 | |
| Ageing index (older people per 100 young people) (2025) | 197.1 | – | 229.9 | ranked 201 of 307 | |
| Population density (inhabitants per km²) (2025) | 134.0 inh./km² | – | 69.6 inh./km² | ranked 106 of 307 | |
| Population change between 2021 and 2025 (2025) | 13.86% | – | 4.50% | ranked 18 of 307 |
Housing
| Indicator | Valença | Viana do Castelo | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buildings (2021) | 6,958 | 123,631 | 3,573,416 | ranked 173 of 308 | |
| Buildings built before 1946 (2021) | 9.2% | 10.8% | 12.8% | ranked 242 of 307 | |
| Buildings built since 2001 (2021) | 17.3% | 19.4% | 16.8% | ranked 143 of 307 | |
| Buildings in need of medium or extensive repair (2021) | 16.8% | 13.1% | 14.2% | ranked 87 of 307 | |
| Conventional family dwellings (2021) | 8,500 | 155,259 | 5,970,677 | ranked 170 of 308 | |
| Dwellings used as secondary residences (2021) | 22.0% | 29.0% | 25.8% | ranked 183 of 307 | |
| Vacant dwellings (2021) | 14.3% | 10.8% | 13.1% | ranked 129 of 307 | |
| Owner-occupied usual residences (2021) | 75.6% | 77.8% | 77.8% | ranked 183 of 307 | |
| Rented usual residences (2021) | 18.0% | 15.2% | 13.6% | ranked 82 of 307 | |
| Usual residences in buildings with 3 or more dwellings (2021) | 20.0% | 21.4% | 13.8% | ranked 118 of 307 | |
| Median selling price of housing per m² (2025) | 1,012 €/m² | – | 1,108 €/m² | ranked 166 of 305 |
Energy
| Indicator | Valença | Viana do Castelo | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Usual residences without heating (2021) | 21.6% | 21.2% | 18.6% | ranked 127 of 307 | |
| Usual residences with central heating (2021) | 33.0% | 31.4% | 12.6% | ranked 25 of 307 | |
| Electricity consumption per inhabitant (2024) | 3,914 kWh/inh. | 5,017 kWh/inh. | 3,690 kWh/inh. | ranked 133 of 307 |
Economy
| Indicator | Valença | Viana do Castelo | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprises (2023) | 2,156 | 33,345 | 1,510,274 | ranked 136 of 308 | |
| Enterprises per 1,000 inhabitants (2023) | 140.4 | 138.0 | 128.1 | ranked 102 of 307 | |
| Declared gross income per inhabitant (2024) | 9,539 € | 10,704 € | 10,553 € | ranked 241 of 307 | |
| Purchasing power per capita (Portugal = 100) (2023) | 84.7 | 82.6 | 79.5 | ranked 111 of 307 |
Employment
| Indicator | Valença | Viana do Castelo | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rate (2021) | 7.5% | 6.0% | 7.0% | ranked 122 of 307 | |
| Average monthly earnings of employees (2024) | 1,267 € | – | 1,258 € | ranked 143 of 307 |
Tourism
| Indicator | Valença | Viana do Castelo | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overnight stays in tourist accommodation (2025) | 71,152 | 1,031,079 | 82,011,658 | ranked 117 of 307 | |
| Overnight stays per 100 inhabitants (2025) | 453.1 | 422.3 | 275.0 | ranked 107 of 306 |
Education
| Indicator | Valença | Viana do Castelo | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population with completed higher education (2021) | 11.8% | 15.8% | 13.2% | ranked 199 of 307 |
Sunshine and temperatures: Valença
Business sectors: Valença
Share of each sector in total businesses; “×1.5” means the sector is 1.5 times more common than nationally.
- Wholesale and retail trade25.6% ×1.8
- Administrative and support services13.7% ×0.8
- Construction10.3% ×1.4
- Accommodation and food services9.4% ×1.1
- Agriculture, forestry and fishing6.6% ×0.8
- Professional, scientific and technical6.0% ×0.6
- Manufacturing5.4% ×1.2
- Other service activities5.1% ×1.0
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Valença?
Valença has 15,699 residents (2025), ranking 146 of 308 municipalities.
How big is Valença?
Valença covers 117.1 km², with a density of 134 people per km².
Is the population of Valença growing?
Between 2021 and 2025, the population of Valença went from 13,788 to 15,699, a change of +13.9%.
Where is Valença?
Valença is in Viana do Castelo. Latitude 42.028, longitude −8.634.
Population change between 2021 and 2025: what is the figure for Valença?
In Valença, “Population change between 2021 and 2025” stands at 13.86% (2025), ranking 18 of 307 municipalities; the national median is 4.50%.
Usual residences with central heating: what is the figure for Valença?
In Valença, “Usual residences with central heating” stands at 33.0% (2021), ranking 25 of 307 municipalities; the national median is 12.6%.
How much electricity does a solar panel produce in Valença?
In Valença, a 1 kWp south-facing system tilted at 35° produces about 1,370 kWh a year.
Which municipalities border Valença?
The nearest to Valença are Vila Nova de Cerveira (13 km), Monção (14 km), Paredes de Coura (14 km), Arcos de Valdevez (27 km), Caminha (27 km).
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