Data highlights are ordered by what stands out in Besson.
Who lives here
An older town: 27% of residents are 65 or over
29% of adults hold a degree, higher than Allier’s towns (22%) and near compared French towns (30%). The share aged 15 to 24 is 8.8%. Children are 16% of the town.
49.6median age
BessonAllier medianFrance median
Ages · share of residents
27%
Under 1515–2425–4445–6465+
Highest diploma · residents 15 and older who have left education
No diploma14%
CAP or BEP31%
Baccalauréat20%
Higher education29%
Women and men · all residents
49% women, 51% men
WomenFrance medianMen
About 105 men for every 100 women. Median share of women: Allier 52.6%, France 51.8%.
INSEE, census 2023 · Allier median and France median: the median of compared communes
History
Old homes shape Besson: 44% were built before 1919, more than in Allier’s towns and across compared French towns
France has no History Grade yet: this card describes, it doesn’t grade.
Since 2008, part of the town has been a site patrimonial remarquable, a protected historic area. On the Culture ministry’s list, Besson counts 5 historic monuments: 3 classé at the top level of protection and 2 inscrit at the second. Among the classé monuments here is Église Saint-Martin. Its heritage reaches back to the 12th century.
Ministère de la Culture, Mérimée (Licence Ouverte 2.0) · INSEE, census 2023, homes by build period
Work & commute
Unemployment in Besson, 4.6%, runs below Allier’s towns and compared French towns
The median disposable income was €27,440 a year per consumption unit, higher than both Allier’s towns (€23,590) and compared French towns (€25,970). 100 jobs are based in Besson, for 350 working residents (0.4 per worker). At the census, 5.0% of commuters walked, cycled or took the bus or train.
5%walk, cycle or take transit
How working residents got to work · census 2023
Driving88%
On foot3%
Public transport2%
Motorbike or scooter1%
Bicycle0%
100
jobs based in Besson, 0.4 per working resident
4.6%
unemployment rate, ages 15 to 64 in the labor force · median of compared French towns 10.1%
€27,440
median annual income per consumption unit, 2023 · median of compared French towns €25,970
Église Saint-Martin: Photo: MOSSOT · CC BY 3.0 · Château du Vieux-Bost: Photo: jean-louis Zimmermann · CC BY 2.0 · Château de Ris: Photo: jean-louis Zimmermann · CC BY 2.0 · Château de Rochefort: Photo: jean-louis Zimmermann from Orange, FRANCE · CC BY 2.0
People: INSEE, census 2023. Miles: center to center.
About Besson
Commune in Allier, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Besson is a commune of 728 people in the Communauté d'agglomération Moulins Communauté. TownRatings compares communes, France’s local unit: each has its own mayor and its own statistics. Its area takes in the town and the countryside around it.
Built from INSEE’s 2026 official geography (COG) and IGN Admin Express boundaries
Contains public sector information under the Licence Ouverte / Open Licence 2.0 (Etalab): INSEE, DGFiP, the Interior Ministry’s statistics service (SSMSI), the Ministry of Education (DEPP), the Health Ministry’s statistics service (DREES) and the Housing Ministry (Carte des loyers). Commune boundaries: IGN Admin Express.
