Duffel

Duffel
Duffel Town Hall
Location of Duffel in the province of Antwerp
Interactive map of Duffel
Duffel
Location in Belgium
Coordinates: 51°06′N 04°31′E / 51.100°N 4.517°E / 51.100; 4.517
CountryBelgium
CommunityFlemish Community
RegionFlemish Region
ProvinceAntwerp
ArrondissementMechelen
Government
 • MayorSofie Joosen (N-VA)
 • Governing partiesN-VA, CD&V
Area
 • Total
22.6 km2 (8.7 sq mi)
Population
 (2020-01-01)
 • Total
17,664
 • Density782/km2 (2,020/sq mi)
Postal codes
2570
NIS code
12009
Area codes015, 03
Websitewww.duffel.be

Duffel (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈdʏfəl] ) is a municipality in the Belgian province of Antwerp.

The municipality comprises the town of Duffel proper. On 1 January 2020, Duffel had a total population of 17,664. The total area is 22.71 km2, which gives a population density of 778 inhabitants per km2.

The area is the eponym of a coarse woollen cloth, manufactured in this area from the 11th century, mainly used to make blankets, outdoor (army) coats and tote bags. Duffel became a household name during and after World War II in the meaning of a coat designed with toggle-and-loop fastening and roomy hood.

The etymology of Duffel is from "dubro" and "locus", from the Gaulish dubrum, dubron – "water".

In 1836, the Duffel railway station opened on the Brussels-North to Antwerp railway line.