In 1789, on the eve of the French Revolution, Vitré's population reached 10,850 inhabitants. In the post-revolution period there was a significant drop in population, to 8,904 inhabitants by 1861. By 1911 a moderate increase brought the figure to 10,613. The First World War and its subsequent economic trials would reduce the population to 8,506. By 1999 the population again had reached 18th century levels, with 15,313 inhabitants and 17,798 in 2015 (+1,1% per annum). The canton of Vitré counted 39,115 inhabitants in 2015 on 382 km2 (102 inhabitants/km2). The greater Vitré-Community counts 80,000 inhabitants on 868 km2.