The censuses and data gathered in the fund make it possible to follow the population of Vierville from the 19th century to the early 2010s. The figures, comments and hypotheses are presented in their documentary context.
The population of Vierville-sur-Mer and its evolution
(partly carried out according to PLU investigation file)
POPULATION
Ancient evolution, hypotheses
It is reported that the municipality of Vierville would once have been much more important than it is today, and that instead of the approximately 250 inhabitants mentioned in the notes of the early 2010s, it would have had 1800 around the 16th century. However, such a high figure is unlikely and no original text confirms it. A figure of the order of 400 inhabitants is more likely, depending on the agricultural productive capacities of the 640 hectares of the parish and the domain of the Lord of Vierville.
Here are some figures (sometimes approximate, according to census methods) since the beginning of the 19th century.
In the early 2010s, the fund's notes described a population between 240 and 250 inhabitants during the previous decades, with the exception of the early 1980s (about 290 inhabitants). They estimated it to be close to 250 to 260 inhabitants in 2011.
The first results of the population census carried out on January 1, 2006 indicate a permanent population of 240 inhabitants.
1851
1901
1926
1931
1936
1946
1954
1968
1975
1982
1990
1999
2006
2011
335
355
355
340
300
340
325
310
265
255
292
256
237
240
255
The evolution of the population (slightly positive since the late 1990s) is mainly explained by a positive migration balance in the municipality, while the number of deaths remains much higher than that of births (negative natural balance).
This positive migration balance reflects two trends:
- the arrival on the territory of new populations, young couples or retired,
- the permanent installation of secondary residents, now retired, who "transform" their second homes into a main residence.
These trends are found in the municipal age pyramid.
In 2009, the municipality estimated the municipal population at about 250 inhabitants (new populations have been arriving since 2006).
Comparison with the intermunicipal territory:
This population increase is also observed at the level of the Communauté de Communes de Trévières: 1.6% of annual evolution since 1999. The intercommunal territory is also experiencing an increase in its population, mainly linked to a positive migration balance. While previous censuses showed a stagnation of the population level, the last period (until 2006) showed faster growth.
The municipalities located in the east of the territory are experiencing a greater population increase (attraction of the Bayeux pole) than the municipalities of the West.
Coastal municipalities present various situations:
Louvières, Vierville-sur-Mer: stagnation or even slight increase in the population level
Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer, Saint-Honorine-des-Pertes: population increase
Colleville-sur-Mer: population loss
The distance from the employment centers, the lack of land supply or the high price of land can explain these disparities.
STRUCTURE BY AGE
In 2006, more than a third of the population is over 60 years old (40% of the population without double counting).
The phenomenon of population aging has accelerated sharply in the last twenty years. Indeed, in 1982, the municipality had 95 people over 60 years of age per 100 young people under 20 years of age and, in 1999, the ratio was 205 people over 60 years of age per 100 under 20 years of age.
For comparison, the aging index of intercommunality is 85.
The comparison of the structure by municipal age with those of the Community of Municipalities and the department shows:
- a very small share of those under 40, linked to the low representation of young couples in Vierville-sur-Mer,
- a very large share of those over 60 years of age, in connection with the aging of the population in place and the installation of young retirees in the territory.
Vierville-sur-Mer is the municipality of the intermunicipal territory that has the largest share of people over 60 in the population.
Coastal municipalities often have a larger share of those over 60 years old than hinterland municipalities because their territory is attractive to young retirees who have more means than young workers to settle.
However, on the Communauté de Communes de Trévières, the share of people over 60 years old in the populations of other coastal municipalities is not necessarily significant of this phenomenon (30% or more for Louvières and Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer / 20-22% for Colleville-sur-Mer and Saint-Honorine-des-Pertes).
The gap between extreme age groups (under 20 years old and over 60 years old) therefore increases over the years. In addition, the share of "young workers" (aged 20 to 39) decreased significantly between 1990 and 2006, and that of "older workers" (40-59 years old) increased slightly
1.1.3 A HIGH PROPORTION OF SMALL HOUSEHOLDS
Despite the population decline observed over the period 1982-1999 (the household population decreased by 46
Individuals), the number of households remained stable (104 households).
The average size per household therefore increased from 2.7 people per household in 1982 to 2.3 people per household in 1999. In 2006, the size of households was 2.1.
This phenomenon, commonly known as household loosening, is directly correlated with the aging of the population.
Main elements to remember
A relatively stable population for about fifty years
A migration balance that has become positive since 1999, linked in part to the permanent installation of secondary residents
A phenomenon of population aging that began 20 years ago and is intensifying. This aging is the most important of all the municipalities of the Communauté de Comunes. Some young couples came to settle on the communal territory but
This is not enough to stabilize the trend towards aging
Need to welcome young populations to avoid demographic imbalance
The town of Vierville-sur-Mer has many assets to attract young couples. It has basic shops (grocery store, bakery, butcher), local services (post office, gas station, leisure center) and an attractive living environment. In addition, it is located near the municipality of Trévières, which offers a quality school center.
ACTIVE POPULATION
The working population, which declined steadily between 1982 and 1999, accounted for only 35% of the total population in 1999. Proof that retirees are an important component of the population.
Of the 69 employed in 1999:
- 28 working in the municipality of Viervillesur-Mer
- 12 work in the Bayeux agglomeration
- 4 working in the municipality of Grandcamp-Maisy
- 3 work in the municipality of Caen
PERSPECTS FOR POPULATION EVOLUTION
A municipal estimate in 2006 had: about 250 permanent inhabitants and about 630 second homes. That is nearly 2,500 inhabitants in total in summer (high hypothesis - including 1000 people for camping and hotels).
The municipality's development project would allow the construction in 10 years of about 25 additional dwellings, i.e. the reception of about 25/30 permanent residents, the population increasing to 280/300 inhabitants around 2020.
The share of second homes in the newly built housing stock was 33% in 2006. Assuming that this rate is maintained in new constructions, the 25 dwellings built at the end of the PLU would be divided into 17 main residences and 8 second homes.
This maximum future population should be distributed mainly in the village and hamlet of Guerberue (old name of the district located between the Vaumicel and the Château de Vierville. The objective is to densify the space, that is to say to build in the various "hollow teeth" and fill the new development area defined north of the church.
But it is obvious that these objectives are only forecasts that will only be realized if people's investment decisions respond to them. The prescriptions of the PLU are intended, among other things, to encourage them to do so.
ANNEXES
INSEE statistics 2002 and 2010
Insee statistics summary 2002
Population and housing
Tourist capacity
Calculation of compensated inhabitants
INSEE Statistics (following the 2006) census)established at the end of 2008 and 2009 2006 census
Details of documents available on the INSEE website
Evolution and structure of the population
Employment - Active population
Forms and conditions of employment