Mexico >> Mexican States >> Coahuila
Population and Demography of Coahuila
Coahuila (Spanish: Estado Libre y Soberano de Coahuila de Zaragoza) is one of the 32 states of Mexico, located in the northern region of the country. It is bordered by Nuevo León to the east, Zacatecas to the south, Durango and Chihuahua to the west, and the U.S. state of Texas to the north.
Coahuila is the 15th most populated state in Mexico and the 3rd largest by area. According to the Censo de Población y Vivienda 2020, the population of Coahuila was 3,146,771 (3.14 million). The state accounts for 2.5% of Mexico’s total population and recorded a population growth rate of 14.5% between 2010 and 2020.
👉 Projected Population of Coahuila (2026): ~3.4 million
Census 2020 Snapshot
| Indicator | Data |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 3,146,771 |
| Male Population | 1,563,669 |
| Female Population | 1,583,102 |
| Male–Female Ratio | 98.7 men per 100 women |
| Population Rank | 15th |
| Total Land Area | 151,595 km² (58,531 sq mi) |
| Area Rank | 3rd |
| Population Density | 21/km² (54.5/sq mi) |
| Life Expectancy | 75.7 years |
| Median Age | 29 years |
| Urban Population | 92% |
| Capital City | Saltillo |
Source: Censo de Población y Vivienda 2020
Also read about: Mexico Population & Demography
Coahuila Historical Population
Coahuila experienced moderate population growth during the first half of the 20th century. Rapid urbanization and industrial development after the 1960s contributed to faster population expansion. In recent decades, growth has remained steady due to industrial migration and border-related economic activities.
Population Change in Coahuila (1900–2020)
| Census Year | Population | % Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1900 | 296,938 | – |
| 1910 | 362,492 | +22.07% |
| 1921 | 393,480 | +8.55% |
| 1930 | 421,004 | +6.99% |
| 1940 | 480,278 | +14.07% |
| 1950 | 720,619 | +50.03% |
| 1960 | 907,734 | +25.96% |
| 1970 | 1,114,956 | +22.82% |
| 1980 | 1,557,265 | +39.67% |
| 1990 | 1,972,340 | +26.66% |
| 2000 | 2,298,070 | +16.52% |
| 2010 | 2,748,391 | +19.60% |
| 2020 | 3,146,771 | +14.50% |
Source: Censo de Población y Vivienda 2020
Largest Cities in Coahuila
Coahuila’s population is highly urbanized, with most residents concentrated in industrial and border cities. Saltillo, Torreón, and Monclova serve as major economic and administrative centers.
Largest Cities or Towns in Coahuila
| Rank | City | Municipality | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saltillo | Saltillo | 864,431 |
| 2 | Torreón | Torreón | 720,848 |
| 3 | Monclova | Monclova | 237,169 |
| 4 | Piedras Negras | Piedras Negras | 176,327 |
| 5 | Acuña | Acuña | 163,058 |
| 6 | San Pedro | San Pedro | 102,504 |
| 7 | Sabinas | Sabinas | 63,010 |
| 8 | Parras de la Fuente | Parras | 44,472 |
| 9 | Múzquiz | Múzquiz | 43,674 |
| 10 | Allende | Allende | 23,529 |
Source: Census 2020
Also read about: Top Cities in Mexico by Population
Religion in Coahuila
Religion in Coahuila remains largely Christian, with Roman Catholicism being the dominant faith. Protestant and evangelical communities have expanded in recent years, while a small share of residents report having no religious affiliation.
Religion Percentage in Coahuila
| Religion | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Catholic | 74.9% |
| Protestant / Evangelical | 13.4% |
| No Religion | 10.9 % |
| Unaffiliated Religion | 0.4% |
| Other Religions | 0.1% |
Source: Censo de Población y Vivienda 2020
Also read about: Religion in Mexico
Indigenous Languages in Coahuila
Although Coahuila has a relatively small indigenous-speaking population, several native languages are still present, mainly among migrant and traditional communities. In Coahuila de Zaragoza there are 5,527 people over 3 years of age who speak an indigenous language.
Most Spoken Indigenous Languages
| Language | Speakers |
|---|---|
| Nahuatl | 1657 |
| Zapoteco | 512 |
| Huasteco | 406 |
| Mazahua | 308 |
Source: Censo de Población y Vivienda 2020
Also read about: Race and Ethnicity in Mexico
FAQs About Coahuila Population
❓ What is the population of Coahuila in 2026?
The projected population of Coahuila in 2026 is around 3.2 million.
❓ What is the population rank of Coahuila in Mexico?
Coahuila is the 15th most populated state in Mexico.
❓ What is the main religion in Coahuila?
Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion, followed by Protestant and evangelical Christianity.
❓ Which indigenous language is most spoken in Coahuila?
Nahuatl is the most widely spoken indigenous language in the state.
❓ What is the largest city in Coahuila?
Saltillo is the largest city and also the capital of Coahuila.
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