# Sant Joan Despí

> city and municipality located in the Baix Llobregat area, Catalonia, Spain

**Wikidata**: [Q15640](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q15640)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sant_Joan_Despí)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sant-joan-despi

## Summary
Sant Joan Despí is a city and municipality located in the Baix Llobregat area of Catalonia, Spain. Situated near the Llobregat river, it serves as the capital of its administrative area and has evolved from a small settlement of 256 residents in 1717 to a significant urban center with a population of 35,926 as of 2025.

## Key Facts
- **Official Name:** Sant Joan Despí
- **Entity Type:** Municipality of Catalonia; City
- **Location:** Baix Llobregat, Corporació Metropolitana de Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- **Coordinates:** 41.3667951, 2.0570346
- **Area:** 6.20 square kilometres (as of 2016)
- **Elevation:** 10 metres above sea level
- **Population (2025):** 35,926
- **Postal Code:** 08970
- **INE Code:** 08217
- **Time Zone:** UTC+01:00
- **Demonym:** Santjoanenc (male), Santjoanenca (female)
- **Official Language:** Catalan
- **Current Leader:** Belén García Criado (since June 17, 2023)
- **License Plate Code:** B

## FAQs

**Where is Sant Joan Despí located?**
Sant Joan Despí is a municipality in the comarca of Baix Llobregat within the autonomous community of Catalonia, Spain. It is part of the Corporació Metropolitana de Barcelona and shares borders with Sant Just Desvern, Esplugues de Llobregat, Cornellà de Llobregat, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Santa Coloma de Cervelló, and Sant Feliu de Llobregat.

**How has the population of Sant Joan Despí changed over time?**
The city has experienced significant growth over three centuries. Records indicate a population of 256 in 1717, which rose to 3,439 by 1950. The population surged during the late 20th century, reaching 34,084 by 2018 and hitting a record 35,926 in 2025.

**Who governs Sant Joan Despí?**
The city is led by a mayor, with the office currently held by Belén García Criado, who assumed the position on June 17, 2023. She succeeded Antoni Poveda Zapata of the Socialists' Party of Catalonia, whose term ended on the same date.

**What are the demographic characteristics of the city?**
As of 2019, the city had a female population of 17,538 and a male population of 16,585. The population is distributed across households that numbered 38 in 1553 (based on hearth tax records) and has grown substantially in the modern era.

## Why It Matters
Sant Joan Despí represents a dynamic example of urbanization within the Barcelona metropolitan area. Its historical trajectory from a small riverside community to a bustling city of over 35,000 residents highlights the broader economic and residential expansion of the Baix Llobregat region. The municipality is notable for its architectural heritage, specifically the "Cases Auriga" designed by Ignasi Mas i Morell, and its strategic location along the Llobregat river and the Canal de la Dreta del Llobregat. It functions as a critical administrative node, hosting the capital of its local administrative division and maintaining a distinct cultural identity through its official use of the Catalan language and unique local heraldry.

## Notable For
- **Architectural Heritage:** Home to the Cases Auriga, a notable work by architect Ignasi Mas i Morell.
- **Demographic Growth:** A consistent population increase from the early 18th century to the present day.
- **Metropolitan Role:** A key municipality within the Corporació Metropolitana de Barcelona.
- **Recent Recognition:** Recipient of an award recognized in the BOE-A-2025-4901 document as of March 2025.
- **Extensive Global Documentation:** The entity is documented in 54 different site links and has Wikipedia articles in 51 languages.

## Body

### Geography and Environment
Sant Joan Despí is geographically situated in the Baix Llobregat area, falling under the administration of the Corporació Metropolitana de Barcelona. The municipality covers an area of 6.20 square kilometres and sits at an elevation of 10 metres above sea level. Its geographical coordinates are 41.3667951 latitude and 2.0570346 longitude.

The city's hydrology is defined by its proximity to the Llobregat river and the canal de la Dreta del Llobregat. It shares political borders with six neighbouring municipalities: Sant Just Desvern, Esplugues de Llobregat, Cornellà de Llobregat, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Santa Coloma de Cervelló, and Sant Feliu de Llobregat.

### Governance and Administration
The municipality is classified as a "municipality of Catalonia." The official head of government is the Mayor of Sant Joan Despí. The political leadership transitioned on June 17, 2023, when Belén García Criado assumed office, succeeding Antoni Poveda Zapata of the Socialists' Party of Catalonia.

Administratively, the city is identified by the INE code 08217 and the Idescat territorial code 082172. The official website for the municipality is http://www.sjdespi.cat/.

### Demographics and Population History
Sant Joan Despí has a rich demographic record dating back to the early 18th century.
- **18th & 19th Centuries:** The population grew from 256 (1717) to 473 (1787), reaching 777 by 1860.
- **Early 20th Century:** By 1900, the population was 1,172, growing steadily to 2,023 by 1930.
- **Mid 20th Century:** A population boom occurred in the 1960s, rising from 4,771 (1960) to 16,055 (1970) and 23,736 (1975).
- **21st Century:** The population stabilized and grew from 28,246 (2001) to 34,067 (2016).
- **Recent Years (2017-2025):**
    - 2017: 33,873
    - 2018: 34,084
    - 2019: 34,123
    - 2020: 34,267
    - 2021: 34,130
    - 2022: 34,039
    - 2023: 34,568
    - 2024: 35,083
    - 2025: 35,926

Gender data from the 2019 census indicates a female majority, with 17,538 women compared to 16,585 men.

### Culture and Symbols
The official language of the municipality is Catalan. Residents are known as "Santjoanenc" (male) or "Santjoanenca" (female). The city possesses distinct heraldic symbols, including a coat of arms (referenced as Q20103497) and a flag. A notable image associated with the city is the "Cases Auriga de Sant Joan Despí," featuring architectural work by Ignasi Mas i Morell.

### Identifiers and Classifications
The entity is catalogued in numerous international and national databases:
- **Wikidata:** Q11920
- **GND ID:** 4726641-7
- **VIAF ID:** 135308460
- **GeoNames ID:** 6356239
- **Library of Congress Authority ID:** nr92040090
- **Inspire ID:** ES.IGN.BDDAE.34090808217
- **Freebase ID:** /m/04v6fs

Additional classifications include the Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana ID (sant-joan-despi), the Catalunya Romànica ID, and an Archinform location ID (5405). The municipality is also categorized under "Category:Sant Joan Despí" and "Category:Maps of Sant Joan Despí" on Wikimedia Commons.

## References

1. Nomenclátor Geográfico de Municipios y Entidades de Población (20240402 edition)
2. Mapa Topogràfic de Catalunya
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. Register of Local Entities
5. OpenStreetMap
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. Municipal Register of Spain 2013
8. Municipal Register of Spain 2012
9. Municipal Register of Spain 2011
10. Municipal Register of Spain 2010
11. Municipal Register of Spain 2009
12. Municipal Register of Spain 2008
13. Municipal Register of Spain 2007
14. Municipal Register of Spain 2006
15. Municipal Register of Spain 2005
16. Municipal Register of Spain 2004
17. Municipal Register of Spain 2002
18. Municipal Register of Spain 2003
19. Municipal Register of Spain 2001
20. Municipal Register of Spain 2014
21. Municipal Register of Spain 2015
22. Municipal Register of Spain 2016
23. Municipal Register of Spain 2017
24. [Centre for Demographic Studies](http://ced.uab.es/infraestructures/banc-de-dades-espanya-i-catalunya/evolucio-i-continuitat-dels-municipis-catalans-1497-2002/)
25. Municipal Register of Spain 2018
26. [Cifras oficiales de población resultantes de la revisión del Padrón municipal a 1 de enero. National Statistics Institute](http://www.ine.es/dynt3/inebase/index.htm?padre=525)
27. Municipal Register of Spain 2019
28. Municipal Register of Spain 2020
29. Municipal Register of Spain of 2021
30. Municipal Register of Spain of 2022
31. Municipal Register of Spain of 2023
32. Municipal Register of Spain of 2024
33. Municipal Register of Spain of 2025
34. List of Municipalities and their Codes by Provinces as of January 1, 2019
35. [Source](https://www.ine.es/dynt3/inebase/es/index.htm?padre=517&capsel=525)
36. GeoNames
37. [Source](http://www.idescat.cat/pub/?id=aec&n=925&t=2016)
38. Límites municipales, provinciales y autonómicos
39. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
40. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
41. Nomenclàtor estadístic d'entitats i nuclis de població de Catalunya