Mexico >> Mexican States >> Oaxaca
Oaxaca Population Overview
Oaxaca (Spanish: Estado Libre y Soberano de Oaxaca) is a southwestern Mexican state bordered by Guerrero, Puebla, Veracruz, and Chiapas. It is the 10th most populated state in Mexico and ranks 5th largest by area. As per the Censo de Población y Vivienda 2020, Oaxaca had a population of 4,132,148 (4.13 million). Its population accounts for 3.3% of Mexico’s total population, with a population growth rate of 8.68% during 2010–2020.
👉 Projected population of Oaxaca in 2026 ~ 4.3 million.
Oaxaca Census 2020 – Key Statistics
| Indicators | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 4,132,148 (4.13 million) |
| Male Population | 1,974,843 |
| Female Population | 2,157,305 |
| Male-Female Ratio | 91.5 men per 100 women |
| Population Rank | 10th |
| Total Land Area | 22,351 km² (8,630 sq mi) |
| Area Rank | 5th |
| Population Density | 44/km² (114/sq mi) |
| Life Expectancy | 74.2 years |
| Median Age | 28 years |
| Urban Population | 49% |
| Capital City | Oaxaca de Juárez |
Source: Censo de Población y Vivienda 2020
Also read about: Mexico Population
Oaxaca Historical Population
Oaxaca has seen moderate population growth over the past century, with the highest increase between 1980 and 1990. The population growth rate during 2010–2020 was 8.68%.
Decadal Population Growth
| Census Year | Population (millions) | Percentage Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1900 | 0.90 | – |
| 1910 | 1.00 | +11.11% |
| 1921 | 1.00 | +0.0% |
| 1930 | 1.10 | +10.0% |
| 1940 | 1.20 | +9.09% |
| 1950 | 1.40 | +16.67% |
| 1960 | 1.70 | +21.43% |
| 1970 | 2.00 | +17.65% |
| 1980 | 2.40 | +20.0% |
| 1990 | 3.00 | +25.0% |
| 2000 | 3.40 | +13.33% |
| 2010 | 3.80 | +11.76% |
| 2020 | 4.13 | +8.68% |
Source: Censo de Población y Vivienda 2020
Top Cities in Oaxaca by Population
Oaxaca has a number of important cities that serve as cultural, economic, and administrative hubs. The capital, Oaxaca de Juárez, is the largest city, while other towns like San Juan Bautista Tuxtepec and Juchitán de Zaragoza are also significant centers of population and activity.
Largest Cities in Oaxaca
| Rank | Municipality | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oaxaca de Juárez | 258,913 |
| 2 | San Juan Bautista Tuxtepec | 103,609 |
| 3 | Juchitán de Zaragoza | 88,280 |
| 4 | Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán | 81,848 |
| 5 | Salina Cruz | 76,660 |
| 6 | Huajuapan de León | 56,163 |
| 7 | Santa Lucía del Camino | 45,895 |
| 8 | Santo Domingo Tehuantepec | 45,134 |
| 9 | Santiago Pinotepa Nacional | 33,726 |
| 10 | Loma Bonita | 31,469 |
Source: Censo de Población y Vivienda 2020
Religion in Oaxaca
Oaxaca is religiously diverse, with Catholicism being the largest faith, while Protestant and Evangelical Christian communities form a significant minority. A smaller portion of the population identifies with no religion or other faiths.
Oaxaca Religion Percentage
| Religion | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Catholic | 75.5% |
| Protestant, Evangelical Christian | 15.8% |
| No religion | 6.1% |
| Unaffiliated religion | 2.2% |
| Other Religion | 0.1% |
Source: Censo de Población y Vivienda 2020
Also read about: Religion in Mexico
Indigenous Population in Oaxaca
Oaxaca is home to one of the largest indigenous populations in Mexico. Many residents speak native languages, with Zapotec and Mixtec being the most widely spoken across the state.
Indigenous Languages in Oaxaca
Indigenous Languages in Oaxaca| Indigenous Language | Number of Speakers |
|---|---|
| Zapotec | 420,324 |
| Mixtec | 267,221 |
| Mazatec | 170,155 |
| Mixe | 118,882 |
Total Indigenous Language Speakers (age 3+): 1,221,555
Source: Censo de Población y Vivienda 2020
Also read about: Race and Ethnicity in Mexico
FAQs about Oaxaca Population
FAQs about Oaxaca PopulationWhat is the population of Oaxaca in 2026?
The projected population of Oaxaca in 2026 is approximately 4.3 million.What is Oaxaca’s rank by population in Mexico?
Oaxaca is the 10th most populated state in Mexico.What are the major religions in Oaxaca?
Catholicism is the largest religion (75.5%), followed by Protestant/Evangelical Christian (15.8%), with 6.1% of the population having no religion.How many people speak an indigenous language in Oaxaca?
Around 1,221,555 people over the age of 3 speak an indigenous language, with Zapotec, Mixtec, Mazatec, and Mixe being the most common.What is the capital city of Oaxaca?
The capital of Oaxaca is Oaxaca de Juárez.
The projected population of Oaxaca in 2026 is approximately 4.3 million.
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