The density is about 61 inhabitants per km² (1999). The basin is little urbanized compared to other regions (in France , the average is 108 inhabitants per km²). Nearly the half of the population lives in towns under 2 000 inhabitants.
The basin of the river Charente presents a strong contrast between the coast, densely urabanized (80 to 100 inhabitants per km²) and the inside land with little population (40 to 60 inhabitants per km²).