Otaru: population and official figures
In depth
- Economy, jobs and prices in Otaru: Taxable income for municipal resident tax in Otaru averaged 2.98 million yen per taxpayer in fiscal 2024, 4th 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 Otaru: Otaru had 11 general hospitals (hospitals other than psychiatric ones) in 2023, or 9.88 per 100,000 residents, 19th highest of 262 cities, above the national figure (5.60).
- Education in Otaru: Otaru had 17 primary schools with 3,550 pupils and 330 full-time teachers in May 2024.
- Poverty and living standards in Otaru: 39.3% of private households in Otaru were one-person households at the 2020 census (20,657), 62nd highest of 262 cities, above the national figure (38.0%).
- Government budget and revenue in Otaru: The municipal government of Otaru took in 66.3 billion yen in fiscal 2022 (final accounts), 595,881 yen per resident, 23rd highest of 262 cities.
What is the population of Otaru?
Otaru had 111,299 residents at the 1 October 2020 census (city proper). That is 27th lowest of 262 cities. The count includes foreign residents.
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyHow big is Otaru and how densely populated is it?
Otaru covers 243.87 square kilometres (2024), of which 85.32 is habitable land. That is 456 people per square kilometre of total area at the 2020 census, 56th lowest of 262 for density.
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyIs the population of Otaru growing or shrinking?
The basic resident register recorded 104,432 residents in Otaru in 2024, 6.2% 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 Otaru?
8.2% of residents of Otaru were under 15 (9,169 children) and 50.0% 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 Otaru?
Otaru had 52,817 households at the 2020 census, of which 52,615 were private households; that is about 2.11 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 Otaru?
552 foreign nationals lived in Otaru 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 Otaru each year?
Otaru recorded 348 births and 2,122 deaths in 2023, a natural decrease of 1,774. That is 3.1 births and 19.1 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 Otaru?
In 2024, 2,854 people moved into Otaru from other municipalities and 3,321 moved out, a net loss of 467 (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 Otaru each year?
Otaru registered 245 marriages and 132 divorces by Japanese nationals in 2023, or 2.2 marriages per 1,000 residents.
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyWho runs Otaru?
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
- Hatsukaichi 114,173
- Hofu 113,979
- Akishima 113,949
- Tokai 113,787
- Hikone 113,647
- Nagahama 113,636
- Fujimino 113,597
- Oshu 112,937
- Higashiomi 112,819
- Ichinoseki 111,932
- Fujimi 111,859
- Kazo 111,623
- Omuta 111,281
- Kasuga 111,023
- Hakusan 110,408
- Kamagaya 109,932
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.