Morioka: population and official figures
In depth
- Economy, jobs and prices in Morioka: Taxable income for municipal resident tax in Morioka averaged 3.50 million yen per taxpayer in fiscal 2024, 88th 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 Morioka: Morioka had 21 general hospitals (hospitals other than psychiatric ones) in 2023, or 7.25 per 100,000 residents, 54th highest of 262 cities, above the national figure (5.60).
- Education in Morioka: Morioka had 43 primary schools with 13,551 pupils and 898 full-time teachers in May 2024.
- Poverty and living standards in Morioka: 40.4% of private households in Morioka were one-person households at the 2020 census (52,767), 50th highest of 262 cities, above the national figure (38.0%).
- Government budget and revenue in Morioka: The municipal government of Morioka took in 139.3 billion yen in fiscal 2022 (final accounts), 480,805 yen per resident, 111th highest of 262 cities.
What is the population of Morioka?
Morioka had 289,731 residents at the 1 October 2020 census (city proper). That is 74th highest of 262 cities. The count includes foreign residents.
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyHow big is Morioka and how densely populated is it?
Morioka covers 886.47 square kilometres (2024), of which 242.68 is habitable land. That is 327 people per square kilometre of total area at the 2020 census, 39th lowest of 262 for density.
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyIs the population of Morioka growing or shrinking?
The basic resident register recorded 277,423 residents in Morioka in 2024, 4.2% 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 Morioka?
11.6% of residents of Morioka were under 15 (33,602 children) and 57.9% 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 Morioka?
Morioka had 131,110 households at the 2020 census, of which 130,755 were private households; that is about 2.21 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 Morioka?
1,321 foreign nationals lived in Morioka at the 2020 census, 0.5% 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 Morioka each year?
Morioka recorded 1,596 births and 3,737 deaths in 2023, a natural decrease of 2,141. That is 5.5 births and 12.9 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 Morioka?
In 2024, 9,496 people moved into Morioka from other municipalities and 10,264 moved out, a net loss of 768 (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 Morioka each year?
Morioka registered 1,022 marriages and 377 divorces by Japanese nationals in 2023, or 3.5 marriages per 1,000 residents.
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyWho runs Morioka?
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
- Koshigaya 341,621
- Iwaki 332,931
- Maebashi 332,149
- Asahikawa 329,306
- Koriyama 327,692
- Kochi 326,545
- Naha 317,625
- Kasugai 308,681
- Akita 307,672
- Yokkaichi 305,424
- Akashi 303,601
- Kurume 303,316
- Ibaraki 287,730
- Fukushima 282,693
- Aomori 275,192
- Tsu 274,537
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…)
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