{"id":1672,"date":"2026-04-01T14:19:29","date_gmt":"2026-04-01T11:19:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/data.patras.gr\/?p=1672"},"modified":"2026-04-01T14:19:31","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T11:19:31","slug":"open-data-story-discovering-patras-by-municipal-unit-how-residents-live-and-move-across-municipal-units-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/data.patras.gr\/en\/open-data-story-discovering-patras-by-municipal-unit-how-residents-live-and-move-across-municipal-units-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"Open Data Story: Discovering Patras by Municipal Unit: How residents live and move across Municipal Units (2021)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The way of life and the structure of families constitute the \u201cvoice\u201d of a city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both the marital status of the population and the size of family units, as well as the number of cars owned by households, vary from area to area, and this variation highlights the needs of each area\u2019s population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 2021 Census data provide a clear picture of the social and family structure of the five Municipal Units of Patras.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The percentage distribution of the population by marital status.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Municipal Unit of Patras records the highest<\/strong> percentage of single individuals compared to all other units. This confirms the concentration of the student population and young professionals in the city\u2019s central urban area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the Municipal Units of Vrachneika, Messatida, and Paralia, the percentage of married individuals is noticeably higher than in the city center, indicating that these areas are the main residential zones for families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The percentages of divorced and widowed individuals remain relatively evenly distributed, with a slightly higher concentration of widows and widowers in Vrachneika and Paralia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chart of the percentage distribution of the population by Municipal Unit and marital status (2021)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Where is the married population concentrated?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although the peripheral units show higher percentages of married individuals, the Municipal Unit of Patras hosts the largest number of families in the city. With over 45,000 married residents aged 30-59, the city center remains the area where the majority of Patras\u2019 families live.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heatmap chart showing the concentration of the married population by Municipal Unit and age group (2021)
<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Focusing on the peripheral units, the Municipal Unit of Messatida emerges as the main hub for the married population, particularly within the prime working-age groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heatmap excluding the Municipal Unit of Patras for better visualization of the other units.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What is the dominant family model in the Municipal Units?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Messatida is the only area where large families (4+ members) constitute the majority at 39.6%, surpassing even two-member families (33.8%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the Municipal Unit of Patras, two-member families dominate at 42.8%, while large families are limited to 28.8%. This pattern is typical of urban centers with a high concentration of elderly residents or young couples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Rio and Paralia, a more balanced distribution is observed, with two-member and large families (4+ members) each accounting for around 32\u201333%, indicating areas that combine long-established residents with new residential development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Municipal Unit of Messatida stands out as the area with the most pronounced family profile in the Municipality, as large families (4+ members) constitute the majority at 39.6%, surpassing two-member families (33.8%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In contrast, in the Municipal Unit of Patras, two-member families dominate at 42.8%, while large families are limited to 28.8%. This structure is typical of the urban center, where households mainly consist of elderly residents or young couples without children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Municipal Units of Rio and Paralia exhibit an intermediate residential identity with suburban characteristics. In Paralia in particular, there is a strong presence of two-member families (38.2%), yet the proportion of large families remains high (34.5%), indicating an area that both attracts and retains active family households.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bar chart of Family Unit Composition by Municipal Unit (2021)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How many cars does a family need?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The distribution of vehicles by Municipal Unit reflects the different transportation needs and the proximity to urban infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Municipal Unit of Patras shows the highest percentage of households without a vehicle (38.8%), a fact attributed to the high density of services, the ability to walk within the city center, and access to public transportation. In contrast, in the municipality\u2019s peripheral areas, dependence on private vehicles is universal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the Municipal Unit of Messatida, the percentage of households without a car is limited to just 15.9%, highlighting the necessity of a vehicle for daily connectivity with the urban fabric.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Municipal Units of Rio and Paralia confirm their suburban profile, with high percentages of households owning two or more vehicles. Specifically, in Paralia, 26.1% of households have two cars, while the category of three or more vehicles (led by Rio at 6.4% and Messatida at 6.7%) remains significant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The need for multiple vehicles in these areas is directly linked to the larger size of family units and the members\u2019 requirement for independent transportation to Patras\u2019 city center for work or education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bar chart of the percentage of families based on the number of cars they own by Municipal Unit (2021)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Municipal Unit of Patras presents a distinct profile compared to the rest of the Municipality, recording the highest percentage of households without a car (38.8%) and the lowest rate of multiple vehicle ownership (17.7% for 2+ cars). This structure is attributed to the density of the urban fabric and the easier access to services and transportation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In contrast, the peripheral units of Messatida (36.2%), Rio (37.1%), and Paralia (30.9%) show the highest percentages of households owning two or more vehicles. This trend confirms the increased need for private transportation in suburban areas, where distances from the city center and larger household sizes make a car an essential tool for daily life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In any case, owning a single vehicle remains the most common category across all Municipal Units, with percentages ranging from 43.6% to 51%, serving as the main pillar of mobility for the majority of the population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heatmap chart of the percentage of families by number of cars owned (by Municipal Unit, 2021)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Municipal Unit of Messatida shows the highest concentration of large families (39.6%), a fact directly linked to the high vehicle ownership rates discussed earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Municipal Unit of Patras shows the lowest percentage of large families (28.8%), a factor that partly explains the reduced need for multiple vehicles in the city center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The geographic distribution of the data highlights that a higher presence of large families is accompanied by correspondingly high vehicle ownership rates. A clear example is the Municipal Units of Messatida and Rio, where the predominance of large family units aligns with a high density of vehicles per household.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Percentages of large families (family unit size: 4+ members) by Municipal Unit (2021)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In conclusion (for 2021):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n