Mexico >> Mexican States >> Nuevo León
Nuevo León Population Overview
Nuevo León is a state located in northeastern Mexico. It is bordered by Tamaulipas to the east, Coahuila to the west, Zacatecas and San Luis Potosí to the south, and shares an international border with Texas in the north.
Nuevo León is the seventh most populated state in Mexico and the 13th largest by area. According to the 2020 Census, the state had a population of 5,784,442 (5.8 million). It accounts for 6.6% of Mexico’s total population and recorded a strong growth rate of 24.30% between 2010 and 2020.
The projected population of Nuevo León in 2026 is approximately 6 million.
Nuevo León Population & Demographics (Census 2020)
| Category | Data |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 5,784,442 (5.78 million) |
| Male Population | 2,893,492 |
| Female Population | 2,890,950 |
| Population Rank | 7th |
| Total Land Area | 64,156 km² (24,771 sq mi) |
| Area Rank | 13th |
| Population Density | 90/km² (233/sq mi) |
| Capital City | Monterrey |
| Male–Female Ratio | 99.9 men per 100 women |
| Life Expectancy | 75.9 years |
| Median Age | 30 years |
| Urban Population | 96% |
Source: Censo de Población y Vivienda 2020
Also read about: Mexico Population
Nuevo León Historical Population
Nuevo León recorded a population growth rate of 24.30% between 2010 and 2020. From 1900 to 1950, the state’s population showed moderate fluctuations. Since the 1960s, Nuevo León has experienced continuous and rapid population growth, driven largely by industrialization and urban expansion around Monterrey.
Below is the population change in Nuevo León from 1900 to 2020:
| Census Year | Population | Absolute Change | Percentage Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1900 | 327,937 | – | – |
| 1910 | 365,150 | +37,213 | +11.35% |
| 1921 | 336,412 | −28,738 | −7.87% |
| 1930 | 417,491 | +81,079 | +24.10% |
| 1940 | 541,147 | +123,656 | +29.62% |
| 1950 | 740,191 | +199,044 | +36.78% |
| 1960 | 1,078,848 | +338,657 | +45.75% |
| 1970 | 1,694,689 | +615,841 | +57.08% |
| 1980 | 2,513,044 | +818,355 | +48.29% |
| 1990 | 3,098,736 | +585,692 | +23.31% |
| 2000 | 3,834,141 | +735,405 | +23.73% |
| 2010 | 4,653,458 | +819,317 | +21.37% |
| 2020 | 5,784,442 | +1,130,984 | +24.30% |
Source: Censo de Población y Vivienda 2020
Largest Cities in Nuevo León
Nuevo León is one of Mexico’s most urbanized and economically developed states, with a strong concentration of population in the Monterrey metropolitan area. Monterrey, the state capital, is the largest city and a major industrial and business hub in northern Mexico.
| Rank | City / Municipality | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Monterrey | 1,142,952 |
| 2 | Guadalupe | 635,862 |
| 3 | Apodaca | 536,436 |
| 4 | General Escobedo | 454,967 |
| 5 | San Nicolás de los Garza | 412,199 |
| 6 | Ciudad Juárez (Juárez) | 308,285 |
| 7 | Santa Catarina | 304,052 |
| 8 | García | 234,698 |
| 9 | San Pedro Garza García | 132,128 |
| 10 | Cadereyta Jiménez | 75,721 |
Source: Censo de Población y Vivienda 2020
Also read about: Largest Cities in Mexico
Religion in Nuevo León
Christianity is the dominant religion in Nuevo León, with Roman Catholicism being the most widely practiced faith. Protestant and Evangelical Christian groups also form a significant portion of the population, while a growing share of residents report having no religious affiliation.
Religion Percentage in Nuevo León
| Religion | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Catholic | 77.7% |
| Protestant / Evangelical Christian | 11.9% |
| No Religion | 9.0% |
| Unaffiliated Religion | 0.7% |
| Other Religions | 0.1% |
Source: Censo de Población y Vivienda 2020
Also read about: Religion in Mexico
Indigenous Languages in Nuevo León
Nuevo León has a diverse indigenous-speaking population, largely concentrated in urban and migrant communities. According to the 2020 Census, nearly 78,000 residents aged three and above speak an indigenous language in the state.
| Indigenous Language | Number of Speakers |
|---|---|
| Nahuatl | 44,977 |
| Huasteco | 16,532 |
| Zapotec | 2,161 |
| Otomi | 2,154 |
Source: Censo de Población y Vivienda 2020
Read about: Race and Ethnicity in Mexico
FAQs About Nuevo León Population
1. What is the population of Nuevo León in 2026?
Nuevo León’s projected population in 2026 is estimated to be around 6 million, based on recent census trends and growth patterns.
2. What is the population rank of Nuevo León in Mexico?
Nuevo León is the seventh most populated state in Mexico, according to the 2020 Census.
3. What is the main religion in Nuevo León?
Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion in Nuevo León, followed by Protestant and Evangelical Christian communities.
4. Which indigenous languages are spoken in Nuevo León?
The main indigenous languages spoken in Nuevo León include Nahuatl, Huasteco, Zapotec, and Otomi.
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