State IntegrityReceipts, not verdicts

São Mateus: population and official figures

Population (IBGE estimate, 1 July)
135,450
2026
Population, 2022 census
123,752
2022
Area (km²)
2,346.0
2022
People per km² (2022 census)
52.8
2022

In depth

What is the population of São Mateus?

IBGE, Brazil's national statistics institute, estimated the population of São Mateus at 135,450 on 1 July 2026, the 240th largest of Brazil's 5,570 municipalities, the 8th largest of the 78 municipalities in Espírito Santo state. The 2022 census counted 123,752 residents.

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

Is the population of São Mateus growing?

Between the 2010 and 2022 censuses the population of São Mateus grew by 14,559, from 109,193 (2010 count adjusted to 2022 boundaries) to 123,752, an average of +1.05% a year; the 132nd 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 Mateus changed since the 2022 census?

IBGE's estimates put São Mateus' population 11,698 above the 2022 census count by July 2026 (+9.5%), against +5.5% for Brazil as a whole; the estimate was 134,423 in 2025 and 133,359 in 2024.

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

How big is São Mateus?

São Mateus covers 2,346.0 km² and had 52.8 residents per km² at the 2022 census, the 41st least 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 Espírito Santo state's population lives in São Mateus?

São Mateus holds 3.3% of the estimated 4,150,692 people in Espírito Santo state and 0.06% of Brazil's 214,211,951 (2026 estimates).

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

Is São Mateus a metropolis?

IBGE's urban hierarchy (REGIC) ranks São Mateus as a sub-regional centre, level 3A on a scale whose top level is 1A; it is not part of an officially defined metropolitan region.

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

Who runs São Mateus?

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

Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.