Obihiro: population and official figures
In depth
- Economy, jobs and prices in Obihiro: Taxable income for municipal resident tax in Obihiro averaged 3.44 million yen per taxpayer in fiscal 2024, 78th 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 Obihiro: Obihiro had 17 general hospitals (hospitals other than psychiatric ones) in 2023, or 10.21 per 100,000 residents, 15th highest of 262 cities, above the national figure (5.60).
- Education in Obihiro: Obihiro had 25 primary schools with 6,975 pupils and 607 full-time teachers in May 2024.
- Poverty and living standards in Obihiro: 42.3% of private households in Obihiro were one-person households at the 2020 census (33,848), 32nd highest of 262 cities, above the national figure (38.0%).
- Government budget and revenue in Obihiro: The municipal government of Obihiro took in 91.2 billion yen in fiscal 2022 (final accounts), 547,335 yen per resident, 51st highest of 262 cities.
What is the population of Obihiro?
Obihiro had 166,536 residents at the 1 October 2020 census (city proper). That is 120th lowest of 262 cities. The count includes foreign residents.
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyHow big is Obihiro and how densely populated is it?
Obihiro covers 619.34 square kilometres (2024), of which 381.30 is habitable land. That is 269 people per square kilometre of total area at the 2020 census, 27th lowest of 262 for density.
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyIs the population of Obihiro growing or shrinking?
The basic resident register recorded 160,810 residents in Obihiro in 2024, 3.4% 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 Obihiro?
11.5% of residents of Obihiro were under 15 (19,073 children) and 58.1% 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 Obihiro?
Obihiro had 80,175 households at the 2020 census, of which 79,933 were private households; that is about 2.08 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 Obihiro?
717 foreign nationals lived in Obihiro at the 2020 census, 0.4% 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 Obihiro each year?
Obihiro recorded 902 births and 2,171 deaths in 2023, a natural decrease of 1,269. That is 5.4 births and 13.0 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 Obihiro?
In 2024, 6,526 people moved into Obihiro from other municipalities and 7,072 moved out, a net loss of 546 (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 Obihiro each year?
Obihiro registered 668 marriages and 296 divorces by Japanese nationals in 2023, or 4.0 marriages per 1,000 residents.
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyWho runs Obihiro?
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
- Uji 179,630
- Narashino 176,197
- Hitachi 174,508
- Izumo 172,775
- Kamakura 172,710
- Urayasu 171,362
- Tomakomai 170,113
- Nishio 169,046
- Sakura 168,743
- Hirosaki 168,466
- Iwata 166,672
- Oyama 166,666
- Takaoka 166,393
- Niiza 166,017
- Kushiro 165,077
- Ube 162,570
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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