Joetsu: population and official figures
In depth
- Economy, jobs and prices in Joetsu: Taxable income for municipal resident tax in Joetsu averaged 3.24 million yen per taxpayer in fiscal 2024, 31st lowest of 262 cities and below the national average of 3,933.7 thousand yen per taxpayer. It is income before deductions, so it is not take-home pay.
- Health in Joetsu: Joetsu had 7 general hospitals (hospitals other than psychiatric ones) in 2023, or 3.72 per 100,000 residents, 73rd lowest of 262 cities, below the national figure (5.60).
- Education in Joetsu: Joetsu had 48 primary schools with 8,501 pupils and 797 full-time teachers in May 2024.
- Poverty and living standards in Joetsu: 30.1% of private households in Joetsu were one-person households at the 2020 census (21,902), 49th lowest of 262 cities, below the national figure (38.0%).
- Government budget and revenue in Joetsu: The municipal government of Joetsu took in 107.6 billion yen in fiscal 2022 (final accounts), 572,080 yen per resident, 33rd highest of 262 cities.
What is the population of Joetsu?
Joetsu had 188,047 residents at the 1 October 2020 census (city proper). That is 126th highest of 262 cities. The count includes foreign residents.
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyHow big is Joetsu and how densely populated is it?
Joetsu covers 973.89 square kilometres (2024), of which 430.03 is habitable land. That is 193 people per square kilometre of total area at the 2020 census, 14th lowest of 262 for density.
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyIs the population of Joetsu growing or shrinking?
The basic resident register recorded 180,440 residents in Joetsu in 2024, 4.0% fewer than the 2020 census count (all municipalities together: -1.4%). The register and the census are counted differently, so the change is indicative.
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyHow many children live in Joetsu?
11.7% of residents of Joetsu were under 15 (22,044 children) and 54.4% were aged 15 to 64 at the 2020 census; nationally the shares were 11.9% and 57.8%.
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyHow many households are there in Joetsu?
Joetsu had 72,850 households at the 2020 census, of which 72,655 were private households; that is about 2.58 residents per household (residents divided by all households).
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyHow many foreigners live in Joetsu?
1,507 foreign nationals lived in Joetsu at the 2020 census, 0.8% of residents, below the national figure (1.9%).
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyHow many babies are born in Joetsu each year?
Joetsu recorded 954 births and 2,708 deaths in 2023, a natural decrease of 1,754. That is 5.1 births and 14.4 deaths per 1,000 residents (national: 5.8 and 12.5). Births are by Japanese nationals registered in the city.
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyAre more people moving into or out of Joetsu?
In 2024, 3,776 people moved into Joetsu from other municipalities and 4,441 moved out, a net loss of 665 (moves within the city and from abroad are not counted).
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyHow many marriages are there in Joetsu each year?
Joetsu registered 587 marriages and 236 divorces by Japanese nationals in 2023, or 3.1 marriages per 1,000 residents.
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyWho runs Joetsu?
In Japan, cities and towns are run by municipalities: Mayor and municipal assembly both directly elected for four years. Primary and lower secondary schools, welfare, waste, water, residents' registers, disaster response. Large 'designated cities' (20) take on prefectural tasks and are divided into administrative wards whose heads are officials, not elected.
How local power works in Japan
Cities of a similar size in Japan
- Itami 198,138
- Higashihiroshima 196,608
- Suzuka 195,670
- Mitaka 195,391
- Kumagaya 194,415
- Yamaguchi 193,966
- Kishiwada 190,658
- Hino 190,435
- Kofu 189,591
- Numazu 189,386
- Odawara 188,856
- Tottori 188,465
- Anjo 187,990
- Toyokawa 184,661
- Izumi 184,495
- Tachikawa 183,581
Up a level: all cities in Japan · Japan · government and power
Sources
- Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications: Statistical Observations of Municipalities 2026 (social and demographic statistics, city, ward, town and village data), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 2cb3d8c51aa1…)
- Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications: Statistical Observations of Prefectures 2026 (national figures, "All Japan" row), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b69774a5f40c…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.