Lonato Population Surges Due to Development and New Residents

A record increase in the population of Lonato has been observed, and never before in this biennium 99/2000 has the number of its inhabitants grown as much: as of September 30th, the town’s population reached 12,081, while since the beginning of the year 2000, 250 people have acquired residency here.

These figures are particularly significant considering the statistical data from previous periods: in the early 1970s, for example, the population hovered around 10,000 residents, with only slight changes in subsequent decades; the 1981 census recorded 10,704 inhabitants, and the 1991 census reached 10,977.

Impact of Development on Demographic Growth

These numbers immediately highlight a key point: the increase in the first nine months of 2000 was similar to what occurred over the decade between the last two censuses. Such development cannot go unnoticed in small towns where changes have historically been negligible, and the explanation is not difficult to comprehend: “It is to be considered,” explains Paola Comencini, head of the Demographic Office, “a slight but steady increase in births, though it is clear that the main driver of population growth is attributable to the land development carried out by the previous Lega administration on extensive areas of the territory. This has led to significant real estate market development and attracted numerous real estate investors, who built new neighborhoods in various parts of the town.”

Furthermore, according to statistical data, most of the new residents come from neighboring municipalities and cities such as Broscia and Milano, perhaps because Lonato, strategically located a short distance from Lago di Garda, combines calmer tourist characteristics with slightly more affordable property prices—at least compared to those directly on the Garda coast.