Sano: population and official figures
In depth
- Economy, jobs and prices in Sano: Taxable income for municipal resident tax in Sano averaged 3.30 million yen per taxpayer in fiscal 2024, 38th 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 Sano: Sano had 3 general hospitals (hospitals other than psychiatric ones) in 2023, or 2.58 per 100,000 residents, 18th lowest of 262 cities, below the national figure (5.60).
- Education in Sano: Sano had 16 primary schools with 4,349 pupils and 352 full-time teachers in May 2024.
- Poverty and living standards in Sano: 31.8% of private households in Sano were one-person households at the 2020 census (15,253), 65th lowest of 262 cities, below the national figure (38.0%).
- Government budget and revenue in Sano: The municipal government of Sano took in 57.4 billion yen in fiscal 2022 (final accounts), 493,797 yen per resident, 93rd highest of 262 cities.
What is the population of Sano?
Sano had 116,228 residents at the 1 October 2020 census (city proper). That is 47th lowest of 262 cities. The count includes foreign residents.
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyHow big is Sano and how densely populated is it?
Sano covers 356.04 square kilometres (2024), of which 138.20 is habitable land. That is 326 people per square kilometre of total area at the 2020 census, 38th lowest of 262 for density.
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyIs the population of Sano growing or shrinking?
The basic resident register recorded 112,988 residents in Sano in 2024, 2.8% 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 Sano?
11.2% of residents of Sano were under 15 (13,011 children) and 56.9% 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 Sano?
Sano had 48,121 households at the 2020 census, of which 48,009 were private households; that is about 2.42 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 Sano?
2,690 foreign nationals lived in Sano at the 2020 census, 2.3% of residents, above the national figure (1.9%).
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyHow many babies are born in Sano each year?
Sano recorded 593 births and 1,748 deaths in 2023, a natural decrease of 1,155. That is 5.1 births and 15.0 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 Sano?
In 2024, 3,051 people moved into Sano from other municipalities and 3,074 moved out, a net loss of 23 (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 Sano each year?
Sano registered 360 marriages and 185 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 Sano?
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
- Tsuruoka 122,347
- Ebetsu 121,056
- Kashihara 120,922
- Kadoma 119,764
- Daito 119,367
- Nobeoka 118,394
- Handa 117,884
- Matsubara 117,641
- Aizuwakamatsu 117,376
- Karatsu 117,373
- Konosu 116,828
- Ikoma 116,675
- Niihama 115,938
- Urasoe 115,690
- Kitami 115,480
- Beppu 115,321
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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