Ranst is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Antwerp. The municipality comprises the towns of Broechem, Emblem, Oelegem and Ranst proper. On January 1st, 2000 Ranst had a total population of 17,575 (8,830 males and 8,745 females). The total area is 43.42 km² which gives a population density of 404.77 inhabitants per km².