Sayama: population and official figures
In depth
- Economy, jobs and prices in Sayama: Taxable income for municipal resident tax in Sayama averaged 3.48 million yen per taxpayer in fiscal 2024, 84th 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 Sayama: Sayama had 9 general hospitals (hospitals other than psychiatric ones) in 2023, or 6.05 per 100,000 residents, 88th highest of 262 cities, above the national figure (5.60).
- Education in Sayama: Sayama had 16 primary schools with 6,420 pupils and 405 full-time teachers in May 2024.
- Poverty and living standards in Sayama: 32.5% of private households in Sayama were one-person households at the 2020 census (20,726), 80th lowest of 262 cities, below the national figure (38.0%).
- Government budget and revenue in Sayama: The municipal government of Sayama took in 53.8 billion yen in fiscal 2022 (final accounts), 361,502 yen per resident, 6th lowest of 262 cities.
What is the population of Sayama?
Sayama had 148,699 residents at the 1 October 2020 census (city proper). That is 100th lowest of 262 cities. The count includes foreign residents.
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyHow big is Sayama and how densely populated is it?
Sayama covers 48.99 square kilometres (2024), of which 45.50 is habitable land. That is 3,035 people per square kilometre of total area at the 2020 census, 84th highest of 262 for density.
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyIs the population of Sayama growing or shrinking?
The basic resident register recorded 148,221 residents in Sayama in 2024, 0.3% 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 Sayama?
10.4% of residents of Sayama were under 15 (15,467 children) and 56.5% 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 Sayama?
Sayama had 63,776 households at the 2020 census, of which 63,702 were private households; that is about 2.33 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 Sayama?
2,327 foreign nationals lived in Sayama at the 2020 census, 1.6% 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 Sayama each year?
Sayama recorded 742 births and 1,779 deaths in 2023, a natural decrease of 1,037. That is 5.0 births and 12.0 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 Sayama?
In 2024, 5,903 people moved into Sayama from other municipalities and 5,325 moved out, a net gain of 578 (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 Sayama each year?
Sayama registered 495 marriages and 210 divorces by Japanese nationals in 2023, or 3.3 marriages per 1,000 residents.
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyWho runs Sayama?
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
- Ogaki 158,286
- Hitachinaka 156,581
- Tochigi 155,549
- Ueda 154,055
- Kariya 153,834
- Noda 152,638
- Kawanishi 152,321
- Higashimurayama 151,815
- Imabari 151,672
- Kuki 150,582
- Musashino 150,149
- Komaki 148,831
- Yonago 147,317
- Tama 146,951
- Iruma 145,651
- Ashikaga 144,746
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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