Mexico >> Mexican States >> Morelos
Morelos Population Overview
Morelos (Spanish: Estado Libre y Soberano de Morelos) is one of the 32 federal entities of Mexico, located in south-central Mexico. It is bordered by the State of México to the northeast and northwest, Puebla to the east, and Guerrero to the southwest.
Morelos is the 23rd most populated state in Mexico and the third smallest by land area. According to the Censo de Población y Vivienda 2020, the population of Morelos was 1,971,520 (1.97 million), accounting for about 1.6% of the country’s total population. Between 2010 and 2020, the state recorded a population growth rate of 10.93%. Based on recent trends, the projected population of Morelos in 2026 is approximately 2.1 million.
👉 Projected Population of Morelos (2026): ~2.1 million
📊 Morelos Census 2020 – Quick Facts
| Indicator | Data |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 1,971,520 (1.97 million) |
| Male Population | 950,847 |
| Female Population | 1,020,673 |
| Male–Female Ratio | 93.1 men per 100 women |
| Population Rank | 23rd |
| Total Land Area | 4,893 km² (1,889 sq mi) |
| Area Rank | 30th |
| Population Density | 404/km² (1,046/sq mi) |
| Life Expectancy | 75.3 years |
| Median Age | 30 years |
| Urban Population | 82% |
| Capital City | Cuernavaca |
Source: Censo de Población y Vivienda 2020
Also read about: Mexico Population
Morelos Historical Population
Beginning in the 1940s, Morelos entered a phase of sustained population growth. The population increased rapidly between 1950 and 1980, with decade growth rates consistently exceeding 40% to 50%, driven by urbanization, improved infrastructure, and migration from neighboring states. Growth remained strong from 1980 to 2000, averaging above 25% per decade. Since 2000, population growth has gradually slowed, declining from 30.14% (2000–2010) to 14.27% (2010–2020) and further to 10.93% (2010–2020).
Population Growth of Morelos (1900–2020)
| Census Year | Population | Absolute Change | Percentage Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1900 | 160,115 | — | — |
| 1910 | 179,594 | +19,479 | +12.17% |
| 1921 | 103,440 | −76,154 | −42.40% |
| 1930 | 132,068 | +28,628 | +27.68% |
| 1940 | 182,711 | +50,643 | +38.35% |
| 1950 | 272,842 | +90,131 | +49.33% |
| 1960 | 386,264 | +113,422 | +41.57% |
| 1970 | 616,119 | +229,855 | +59.51% |
| 1980 | 947,089 | +330,970 | +53.72% |
| 1990 | 1,195,059 | +247,970 | +26.18% |
| 2000 | 1,555,296 | +360,237 | +30.14% |
| 2010 | 1,777,227 | +221,931 | +14.27% |
| 2020 | 1,971,520 | +194,293 | +10.93% |
Source: Censo de Población y Vivienda 2020
Largest Cities and Towns in Morelos (2020)
| Rank | City / Town | Municipality | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cuernavaca | Cuernavaca | 365,168 |
| 2 | Jiutepec | Jiutepec | 196,953 |
| 3 | Cuautla | Cuautla | 187,118 |
| 4 | Temixco | Temixco | 108,126 |
| 5 | Yautepec de Zaragoza | Yautepec | 97,857 |
| 6 | Ciudad Ayala | Ayala | 70,023 |
| 7 | Emiliano Zapata | Emiliano Zapata | 69,064 |
| 8 | Xochitepec | Xochitepec | 63,382 |
| 9 | Puente de Ixtla | Puente de Ixtla | 61,585 |
| 10 | Jojutla de Juárez | Jojutla | 55,115 |
Source: Censo de Población y Vivienda 2020
Also read about: Top Cities in Mexico by Population
Religion in Morelos
According to the Censo de Población y Vivienda 2020, Christianity is the dominant religion in Morelos. Roman Catholicism remains the largest faith, followed by Protestant and Evangelical Christian groups. A notable portion of the population also identifies as having no religious affiliation.
📊 Religious Composition in Morelos (2020)
| Religion | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Catholic | 71.0% |
| Protestant / Evangelical Christian | 14.3% |
| No Religion | 8.4% |
| Unaffiliated Religion | 5.9% |
| Other Religions | 0.2% |
Source: Censo de Población y Vivienda 2020
Also read about: Religion in Mexico
Indigenous Languages in Morelos
According to the Censo de Población y Vivienda 2020, a total of 38,110 people aged 3 years and above in Morelos speak an indigenous language. Náhuatl is the most widely spoken language in the state, followed by Mixteco and Tlapaneco.
📊 Major Indigenous Languages in Morelos (2020)
| Indigenous Language | Number of Speakers |
|---|---|
| Náhuatl | 24,617 |
| Mixteco | 7,230 |
| Tlapaneco | 2,467 |
| Zapoteco | 722 |
Source: Censo de Población y Vivienda 2020
Also read about: Race and Ethnicity in Mexico
Standard FAQs – Morelos Population
📌 1. What is the projected population of Morelos in 2026?
The projected population of Morelos in 2026 is approximately 2.1 million, based on recent growth trends and demographic estimates.
📌 2. What is the largest city in Morelos by population?
The largest city in Morelos is Cuernavaca, which is also the state capital and main economic and cultural center.
📌 3. What is the main religion in Morelos?
Christianity is the dominant religion in Morelos. About 71.0% of residents are Roman Catholic, followed by 14.3% Protestant and Evangelical Christians.
📌 4. What are the main indigenous languages spoken in Morelos?
Around 38,110 people in Morelos speak an indigenous language. The most widely spoken languages are Náhuatl, Mixteco, Tlapaneco, and Zapoteco.
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