Data highlights are ordered by what stands out in Merle-Leignec.
Who lives here
Few people in Merle-Leignec are 15 to 24: 6.3%, fewer than in Loire’s towns and compared French towns
People 65 and over make up 30% of the town, higher than both Loire’s towns (25%) and compared French towns (22%). Nearly a third of adults hold a degree. Ages in Merle-Leignec split evenly at 51.5: half are older, half younger.
51.5median age
Merle-LeignecLoire medianFrance median
Ages · share of residents
30%
Under 1515–2425–4445–6465+
Highest diploma · residents 15 and older who have left education
No diploma17%
CAP or BEP29%
Baccalauréat18%
Higher education32%
Women and men · all residents
47% women, 53% men
WomenFrance medianMen
About 111 men for every 100 women. Median share of women: Loire 52.0%, France 51.8%.
INSEE, census 2023 · Loire median and France median: the median of compared communes
History
Merle-Leignec keeps more of its old housing than Loire’s towns or compared French towns: 38% built before 1919
France has no History Grade yet: this card describes, it doesn’t grade.
Among the classé monuments in Merle-Leignec is Croix de l'ancien cimetière. On the Culture ministry’s list, Merle-Leignec counts 4 historic monuments: 1 classé at the top level of protection and 3 inscrit at the second. 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
Merle-Leignec has fewer jobs than residents in work: 0.6 for each
Unemployment stood at 8.1%, below both Loire’s towns (8.6%) and compared French towns (10.1%). 3.9% of Merle-Leignec’s working residents had no journey to work at the census. The typical income here, after tax and benefits, is €26,120 a year per consumption unit.
11%walk, cycle or take transit
How working residents got to work · census 2023
Driving86%
Public transport5%
On foot3%
Bicycle2%
Motorbike or scooter0%
100
jobs based in Merle-Leignec, 0.6 per working resident
8.1%
unemployment rate, ages 15 to 64 in the labor force · median of compared French towns 10.1%
€26,120
median annual income per consumption unit, 2023 · median of compared French towns €25,970
People: INSEE, census 2023. Miles: center to center.
About Merle-Leignec
Commune in Loire, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Merle-Leignec is a commune of 324 people in the Communauté d'agglomération Loire Forez Agglomération. 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.
