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São José de Ribamar: population and official figures

Population (IBGE estimate, 1 July)
260,695
2026
Population, 2022 census
244,579
2022
Area (km²)
180.4
2022
People per km² (2022 census)
1,356.0
2022

In depth

What is the population of São José de Ribamar?

IBGE, Brazil's national statistics institute, estimated the population of São José de Ribamar at 260,695 on 1 July 2026, the 120th largest of Brazil's 5,570 municipalities, the 3rd largest of the 217 municipalities in Maranhão state. The 2022 census counted 244,579 residents.

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

Is the population of São José de Ribamar growing?

Between the 2010 and 2022 censuses the population of São José de Ribamar grew by 82,642, from 161,937 (2010 count adjusted to 2022 boundaries) to 244,579, an average of +3.50% a year; the 11th fastest 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 José de Ribamar changed since the 2022 census?

IBGE's estimates put São José de Ribamar's population 16,116 above the 2022 census count by July 2026 (+6.6%), against +5.5% for Brazil as a whole; the estimate was 259,164 in 2025 and 257,414 in 2024.

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

How big is São José de Ribamar?

São José de Ribamar covers 180.4 km² and had 1,356.0 residents per km² at the 2022 census, the 78th 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 Maranhão state's population lives in São José de Ribamar?

São José de Ribamar holds 3.7% of the estimated 7,024,557 people in Maranhão state and 0.12% of Brazil's 214,211,951 (2026 estimates).

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

Is São José de Ribamar a metropolis?

IBGE's urban hierarchy (REGIC) ranks São José de Ribamar (as part of the São Luís/MA urban area) as a regional capital, level 2A on a scale whose top level is 1A, and São José de Ribamar is part of the Região Metropolitana da Grande São Luís.

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

More figures

Who runs São José de Ribamar?

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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