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São Gonçalo: population and official figures

Population (IBGE estimate, 1 July)
959,977
2026
Population, 2022 census
896,744
2022
Area (km²)
248.2
2022
People per km² (2022 census)
3,613.6
2022

In depth

What is the population of São Gonçalo?

IBGE, Brazil's national statistics institute, estimated the population of São Gonçalo at 959,977 on 1 July 2026, the 18th largest of Brazil's 5,570 municipalities, the 2nd largest of the 92 municipalities in Rio de Janeiro state. The 2022 census counted 896,744 residents.

Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copy

Is the population of São Gonçalo growing?

Between the 2010 and 2022 censuses the population of São Gonçalo fell by 102,984, from 999,728 (2010 count adjusted to 2022 boundaries) to 896,744, an average of -0.90% a year; the slowest of 320 major Brazilian cities (Brazil: +0.52% a year).

Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copy

How has the population of São Gonçalo changed since the 2022 census?

IBGE's estimates put São Gonçalo's population 63,233 above the 2022 census count by July 2026 (+7.1%), against +5.5% for Brazil as a whole; the estimate was 960,196 in 2025 and 960,652 in 2024.

Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copy

How big is São Gonçalo?

São Gonçalo covers 248.2 km² and had 3,613.6 residents per km² at the 2022 census, the 28th most densely populated of 320 major Brazilian cities (Brazil: 23.86 per km²).

Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copy

What share of Rio de Janeiro state's population lives in São Gonçalo?

São Gonçalo holds 5.6% of the estimated 17,225,410 people in Rio de Janeiro state and 0.45% of Brazil's 214,211,951 (2026 estimates).

Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copy

Is São Gonçalo a metropolis?

IBGE's urban hierarchy (REGIC) ranks São Gonçalo (as part of the Rio de Janeiro/RJ urban area) as a national metropolis, level 1B on a scale whose top level is 1A, and São Gonçalo is part of the Região Metropolitana do Rio de Janeiro.

Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copy

Who runs São Gonçalo?

In Brazil, cities and towns are run by municipalities: Mayor (prefeito) and council (câmara de vereadores) directly elected for four years; mayors can serve two terms in a row. Primary schools, basic health care, urban planning, local transport, waste; each has its own organic law.

How local power works in Brazil

Cities of a similar size in Brazil

Up a level: all cities in Brazil · Brazil · government and power

Sources

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