Marina Baixa population still grows

THE dormitory towns of the Marina Baixa have seen a spectacular rise in their populations over the last ten years.

This follows many younger families being forced out of the high rise coastal developments to inland towns, and their new low rise urbanizations.

Several populations have doubled their population in the last decade; La Nucia, Polop and Orxeta, and in some cases, tripled according to a recently released census report which showed that Finestrat’s population rose 300 per cent in a decade.

The small inland town of Relleu also has increased its population by over 70 per cent. In the case of La Nucia and Finestrat, the growth has been accompanied by an increase in their commercial and industrial zones that have generated employment, creating a draw independent from the simple necessity to move away from the expensive coastal resorts.

Other commuter communities in the Marina Baixa area have maintained growth of between two and 6.5% in the last year. L’Alfas del Pi also has absorbed some of the workers from Benidorm and maintained a 1.5 per cent growth from 2010 to 2011.

However, Villajoyosa showed no growth.

In absolute numbers La Nucia showed the biggest rise in population, behind Benidorm, and in total, even in these times of recession, the Marina Baixa area showed an overall increase of 9,228 registered inhabitants over the last 12 months. 

Photo credit: openway
By Paul Deed