La Grand-Croix’s story
1 historic monument, none of them classé
The Culture ministry lists 1 historic monument in La Grand-Croix, none of them classé, France’s highest protection.
The oldest date from the 19th century.
Explore the history →
La Grand-CroixLoire
A town in Loire, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, home to 4,947 people.
6 places within 18 miMap →
Photo: Yzergues · CC BY-SA 4.0
Population
4,947
INSEE, census 2023 · commune
Home prices
€2,124
per m² · 110 sales in 3 years · median of compared French towns €2,430/m²
Rent
€10.39
per m² a month · apartments · estimated advertised rents · median of compared French towns €12.41/m²
Median income
€23,820
a year per consumption unit · median of compared French towns €25,970
Walk, cycle, transit
12%
of working residents · median of compared French towns 13%
TownGrade
C+
#42 of 48 in Loire
Is La Grand-Croix a good place to live?
The weak point is jobs & income — 0.7 jobs per working resident; 11.1% unemployment. A 70 m² home at the median €2,124/m² costs 6.3 times the median annual income per consumption unit in the Saint-Etienne Métropole. Walkability is its strong suit: 74% of residents live within 800 m of a bakery, and 12% of working residents walk, cycle or take public transport to work. Overall, that makes a C+, good for #42 of 48 in Loire. It comes out better than 44% of compared French towns. Elsewhere it is close to typical: B− for safety, B for schools and C+ for health.
Figures: amenities, INSEE BPE 2025 · commuting and employment, INSEE census 2023 · prices, DVF · income per consumption unit (an income adjusted for household size), INSEE Filosofi · recorded crime, SSMSI (Ministry of the Interior) · brevet and bac results, Ministry of Education · deaths, INSEE (by commune of residence, 2016–2025).
Hazard risk isn’t graded in France yet: national flood maps cover only some areas. The overall grade uses the other six subjects.
WeakestC−Jobs & income
How La Grand-Croix grades
Each subject compares La Grand-Croix with other French towns of 2,500 or more, ordered by how far its rank is from the middle. American and UK towns are graded separately.
Jobs & income11.1% unemployment · #44 of 53 in LoireC−Open →WalkabilityEasier than most to get around on footB+Open →SchoolsBac results 1.5 points below the expected rateBOpen →HealthNear typical for the towns comparedC+Open →Cost of livingAt the median price, a 70 m² home costs 6.3 times the median annual income per consumption unit in the intercommunality · #37 of 53 in LoireC+Open →SafetyBased on crimes reported per residentB−Open →
Hazard riskNot graded in France yet: national flood maps cover only some areas–
How TownRatings grades French towns →
The data
Data highlights are ordered by what stands out in La Grand-Croix.
Work & commuteJobs & income C−
Unemployment in La Grand-Croix, 11.1%, runs above Loire’s towns and compared French towns
The median disposable income was €23,820 a year per consumption unit, below both Loire’s towns (€25,635) and compared French towns (€25,970). No commute at all: 2.4% of working residents in La Grand-Croix at the census.
12%walk, cycle or take transit
How working residents got to work · census 2023
Driving85%
Public transport7%
On foot4%
Bicycle1%
Motorbike or scooter1%
1,450
jobs based in La Grand-Croix, 0.7 per working resident
11.1%
unemployment rate, ages 15 to 64 in the labor force · median of compared French towns 10.1%
€23,820
median annual income per consumption unit, 2023 · median of compared French towns €25,970
2%
worked without traveling (at or from home)
B+
Walkability: better than 68% of compared French towns
Source: INSEE, census 2023 (commuting, employment, jobs at place of work); INSEE, Filosofi 2023 · Licence Ouverte
History
1 historic monument in La Grand-Croix, none of them classé
France has no History Grade yet: this card describes, it doesn’t grade.
Its oldest listed monument dates from the 19th century. Nearly a tenth of its homes were built before 1919, higher than both Loire’s towns (7.2%) and compared French towns (7.4%).
1historic monument
Monuments by protection · Mérimée
Classé0
Inscrit0
Level not given1
19th c.
oldest protected part
8.4%
of homes built before 1919 · median town 7.4%
Ministère de la Culture, Mérimée (Licence Ouverte 2.0) · INSEE, census 2023, homes by build period
Schools
91.2% of candidates passed the brevet at the six collèges within 5 km, 2.9 points above the expected rate
Primary schools aren’t graded: France doesn’t publish their results by school.
By results, schools here place #30 of 50 in Loire. The bac pass rate near La Grand-Croix is 92.9%, close to both Loire’s towns (93.4%) and compared French towns (92.9%).
95%passed the bac (general and technological)BSchool Grade
Brevet pass rate · collèges within 5 km
La Grand-Croix91.2%
Median of towns87.5%
Bac pass rate · lycées within 5 km
La Grand-Croix92.9%
Median of towns92.9%
| School | Level | Candidates | Passed, 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collège Charles ExbrayatNearest collègeCollège | Collège | 149 | 87%−3 pts |
| Lycée Georges BrassensNearest lycéeGeneral lycée | General lycée | 293 | 94%−3 pts |
| Lycée professionnel Sainte-Marie la Grand'Grange PrivateBest against expectations: 10 points above the expected rateVocational lycée | Vocational lycée | 49 | 94%+10 pts |
95%
passed the general and technological bac, −2 pts against the expected rate
85%
passed the vocational bac, +0.3 pts against the expected rate
91.2%
passed the brevet at the collèges, +2.9 pts against the expected rate
0.6 mi
to the nearest collège from the town center
Ministry of Education (DEPP) · brevet and bac 2025, value added (IVAC, IVAL) · Licence Ouverte
Who lives here
A young town: 13% of people in La Grand-Croix are 15 to 24, more than in Loire’s towns or compared French towns
20% are under 15, above Loire’s towns (17%) and compared French towns (17%) alike. Over-65s are a fifth of the population. Among adults, 23% have a degree.
40.8median age
La Grand-CroixLoire medianFrance median
Ages · share of residents
13%
Highest diploma · residents 15 and older who have left education
No diploma26%
CAP or BEP31%
Baccalauréat17%
Higher education23%
Women and men · all residents
51% women, 49% men
About 94 men for every 100 women. Median share of women: Loire 52.0%, France 51.8%.
| La Grand-Croix | Loire median | France median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 15 | 20% | 17% | 17% |
| 15–24 | 13% | 11% | 11% |
| 25–44 | 22% | 22% | 23% |
| 45–64 | 25% | 26% | 26% |
| 65+ | 20% | 25% | 22% |
| No diploma | 26% | 20% | 19% |
| CAP or BEP | 31% | 29% | 26% |
| Baccalauréat | 17% | 18% | 18% |
| Higher education | 23% | 28% | 30% |
INSEE, census 2023 · Loire median and France median: the median of compared communes
HealthHealth C+
Allowing for age and care homes, La Grand-Croix sees 90 deaths per 100 expected, against 82 in Loire’s towns and 88 in compared French towns
Care access and life expectancy are shown for context, not graded.
671 deaths in La Grand-Croix between 2016 and 2025, where France’s rates at each age predict 535: 25% above. In Loire, life expectancy at birth reaches 85.6 years for women and 80.8 for men (2025), next to 85.9 and 80.3 for France. 5 GPs practise locally.
−10%deaths against expected, after care homesC+Health Grade
Deaths per 100 expected · 2016–2025
Raw125
Adjusted90
Median town88
Expected100
5
GPs in La Grand-Croix · 5.1 GP consultations a year per resident within reach (APL)
3 mi
to the nearest emergency department, Hopital du Gier Mco
3 mi
to the nearest maternity unit, Hopital du Gier Mco
85.6 · 80.8
years of life expectancy at birth, women · men, Loire, 2025 (provisional) · France 85.9 · 80.3
Source: INSEE, deaths by commune of residence 2016–2025 and censuses; Eurostat, death rates by age (© European Union); INSEE, BPE 2025; DREES, APL 2024; INSEE, life expectancy by département 2025 · Licence Ouverte · Care-home places are adjusted for by TownRatings, using a model rather than an official statistic.
HousingCost of living C+
La Grand-Croix’s grade for cost of living: a C+
Rents are the ministry’s estimates of advertised rents, not rents actually paid.
The estimated advertised rent is €10.39/m² a month, about level with Loire’s towns (€10.17/m²) and below compared French towns (€12.41/m²). Behind the median of €2,124/m²: 110 houses and apartments sold in La Grand-Croix between July 2023 and June 2026. A house in La Grand-Croix goes for €2,524/m², an apartment for €1,633/m².
€2,124/m²median sale price
Median sale price per m² · Jul 2023 to Jun 2026
La Grand-Croix€2,124/m²
Median of towns€2,430/m²
Loire median€2,075/m²
| By type | Median per m² | Sales |
|---|---|---|
| Houses | €2,524/m² | 63 |
| Apartments | €1,633/m² | 47 |
€10.39/m²
estimated advertised apartment rent a month, charges included (€7.88 to €13.70/m² a month)
6.3
times the median annual income per consumption unit in the intercommunality, for 70 m² at the median price
€10.24/m²
estimated advertised house rent a month, charges included
€23,640
median annual income per consumption unit, Saint-Etienne Métropole
Source: DGFiP, DVF property sales (Etalab geolocated); Housing Ministry, Carte des loyers 2025; INSEE, Filosofi 2023 · Licence Ouverte
Safety
Crime per resident in La Grand-Croix is lower than in 51% of compared French towns
In all, 107 offenses reached the police record in La Grand-Croix in 2025. The yearly rates for 2023–2025: 5 violent offenses and 16.2 graded property crimes per 1,000 residents. More of the graded crimes locally were criminal damage than anything else (2025).
5recorded violent incidents per 1,000 residents a yearB−Safety Grade
Recorded by type · 2025
Criminal damage46
Family violence20
Burglary15
Vehicle theft13
Theft from vehicles7
Sexual violence6
Drug use63
Fraud33
Theft without violence18
Not in the gradeTheft without violence, drug use and fraud are shown for information but left out of the Safety Grade, which counts violence plus burglaries, vehicle thefts, thefts from vehicles and criminal damage per resident.
5
recorded violent incidents per 1,000 residents a year, 2023–2025 average
16.2
recorded burglaries, vehicle thefts, thefts from vehicles and acts of criminal damage per 1,000 residents a year, 2023–2025 average
107
offenses recorded in the graded categories in 2025
1.9%
of the index rests on the département’s average, used where small counts aren’t published
Source: SSMSI (Interior Ministry), recorded crime by commune, 2023–2025 · Licence Ouverte · For other physical violence and armed robbery, this figure isn’t published when it’s small (five or fewer in at least one of the last three years); the index uses the département’s average instead, 1.9% of the index here. The count covers the offense categories the Safety Grade uses.
Nearby attractions
All attractions →Les croqueurs de pommes du terroir du Jarez and 5 more in and around La Grand-Croix
Heritage, gardens and family days out in and near La Grand-Croix. Best known first.
GardenGardenLes croqueurs de pommes du terroir du Jarezin townChâteauChâteauChâteau de la Grange Merlin2.2 km south, in Saint-Paul-en-JarezAquariumAquariumAquaramiaud4.4 km southwest, in Saint-ChamondRuinsRuinsAncienne collégiale Saint-Jean-Baptiste du château5 km southwest, in Saint-ChamondChâteauChâteauChâteau du Mollard4.2 km east, in ChâteauneufAttractionAttractionPierre de Chagnon3.7 km north, in Chagnon
Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata
Keep exploring
Everything we know about La Grand-Croix
15pages on La Grand-Croix
The big questions
SafetyB−5 recorded violent incidents per 1,000 residents a yearCost of livingC+Median €2,124/m² · rent €10.39/m² a monthHousing110 sales on record, the last three yearsSchoolsBSix collèges and four lycées within 5 kmHealthC+5 GPs · nearest emergency department 3 mi awayWork & commuteC−1,450 jobs based hereFlood & hazards
Landmarks
La Grand-Croix has one historic monument; beside it, the nearest classé monuments in other towns, within 15.5 mi.
Famous people from La Grand-Croix
One notable person was born in La Grand-Croix.
La Grand-Croix’s neighbors
The nearest towns of 2,500 or more. The map uses IGN’s commune boundaries. See them on the map →
LoretteSaint-Paul-en-JarezL'HormeGenilacRive-de-GierSaint-ChamondLa Grand-Croix
How the neighbors grade
| Town | People | Miles | Overall | Cost | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Grand-Croix | 4,947 | — | C+ | C+ | B− | C+ |
| Lorette | 4,983 | 1.1 | C+ | C+ | B− | B− |
| Saint-Paul-en-Jarez | 4,699 | 1.3 | A− | C− | B+ | B |
| L'Horme | 4,806 | 1.4 | C | C+ | C− | B |
| Genilac | 3,839 | 2.2 | B | C | B | A− |
| Rive-de-Gier | 15,242 | 2.9 | C− | B | D | C |
| Saint-Chamond | 35,646 | 3.3 | C | B− | C | C+ |
People: INSEE, census 2023. Miles: center to center.
Questions about La Grand-Croix
Is La Grand-Croix safe?
It grades B− for safety, #27 of 48 in Loire. In 2025 police and gendarmerie recorded 15 burglaries and 46 acts of criminal damage.
Are schools in La Grand-Croix good?
They grade B, better than 58% of compared French towns and #30 of 50 in Loire. 94% of 293 candidates passed the bac at Lycée Georges Brassens in 2025, 3 points below the expected rate given its pupils’ backgrounds. Primary schools aren’t graded: France doesn’t publish their results by school.
Is La Grand-Croix expensive to live in?
Homes cost less than in most compared French towns: the median sale price from July 2023 to June 2026 was €2,124/m², against €2,430/m² for the median of compared French towns. Incomes are lower than in most compared French towns too, so La Grand-Croix grades C+ for cost of living.
About La Grand-Croix
Commune in Loire, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
La Grand-Croix is a commune of 4,947 people in the Saint-Etienne Métropole. 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
- Population
- 4,947 (INSEE, census 2023)
- Intercommunality
- Saint-Etienne Métropole
- Département
- Loire (42)
- Région
- Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
- Area
- 1.6 sq mi (4 km²)
- INSEE code
- 42103
Sources: INSEE, census 2023 (population, employment, commuting) · INSEE, Filosofi 2023 (income per consumption unit, poverty) · DGFiP, DVF property sales, July 2023 to June 2026 · Housing Ministry, Carte des loyers 2025 · SSMSI, recorded crime by commune, 2023–2025 · Ministry of Education (DEPP), brevet and bac results and value-added indicators, 2025 · INSEE, deaths by commune of residence 2016–2025 and censuses 2012–2023; Eurostat, death rates by age (© European Union); INSEE, BPE 2025 (care homes, emergency and maternity units, GPs, pharmacies); DREES, APL 2024; INSEE, life expectancy by département 2025 (provisional) · INSEE, BPE 2025 and Filosofi 200 m grid (walking distances) · IGN Admin Express (boundaries) · TownRatings grades: our own summary of the data, ranking French towns against each other only, updated November 4, 2026. Under the Licence Ouverte / Open Licence 2.0 (Etalab).
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.